Cleaning Engine

[JT]

I have a question, some friends of mine clean their engines by covering the Distributer cap with a plastic bag and the batter terminals and hose the engine down, is this advisable? I am also told places sell the degreaser that you spray on first and hose off. Has anyone done this to their X? I have a friend with VW that was told he couldnt do that ?

 

[rpenner54]

I just cover up my airfilter and go to town. I usually do it when I don't need to drive anywhere soon right away after words either. It usually gets all the big dirt off. The Greese stays though, since I don't have any degreeser handy most of the time.

 

[4Wheelin]

I use foamy engine brite by gunk. Its cheap and works great. I cover up the battery, fuse box and distribution cap when doing it too.

 

[tbomb]

yup, i do the same thing as 4wheelin. i usually do it once a year in the summer, in the meantime, i just wipe it down quickly everytime i wash it.

 

[JT]

I washed mine this weekend, i used the new Meguiars Extra its a spray cleaner/degreaser. I must say this stuff works great, i used it to degrease and clean my BBQ grille, it works on just about anything, and it smells pretty decent, I reccomend it.

Thanks,

 

[espnfreak]

do you guys advise power washing the engine? like at a car wash place?

 

[JT]

I did it once, and had no problems, but that meguiars stuff does a good job of dissolving grime.

 

[BajaXplorer]

Simple Green put into a in a squirt bottle on a slightly warm engine works wonders. a gallon is like $7 and goes a long way.

I clean my motor once a month I hate working on a dirty motor


have fun,
Doug

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by jas84
do you guys advise power washing the engine? like at a car wash place?

i know here, it isnt allowed... thee are signs all over the place that say no washing the engine.....our sewers here in CA, well @ leats my part, Nor-Cal, drain to the bay..... It is illegal..

 

[beavis195]

Try CD-2 Engine Cleaner. I got it at Target for like 5 bucks. It comes with a degreaser, and an Engine Detailer that really sharpens the look of the engine and prevents dust and dirt from coming back. I did it 5 months ago and it still looks great.

 

[C Jeff]

I use my pressure washer all the time along with Autozone engine degreaser and then I use "No Touch Tire Care" to shine it up. It really keeps the engine looking new. I have been doing it this way for years and have never had any problems.

 

[JulieEx]

Exactly what do you clean? I would like details please.

 

[C Jeff]

It cleans road grime, dirt from splashing water, bugs, probably more. I mostly do it because I like the "new" engine compartment look it creates. It is also great for any work that may need to be done. "A clean work area is a happy work area". LOL

 

[J. Kennedy]

ALT!!!!

Dont worry about the dist or battery. BUT COVER UP YOUR ALT!!!

The dist is acutually a very watertight ignition module, not a floppy plastic distributor of years ago.

Battery wont arc, it is grounded and watertight.

The alternator is full of holes to dissipate heat, but lets in moisture. A plastic shopping bag works great.

If you are worried about the environment, self serve car washes have grease traps in the drains.

I found out the hard way! After years of cleaning different engines, (and SOAKING GM alternators without a problem) I got a little H2O in the alt and it wrecked the bearings. Still made electricity, but sounded like a popcorn popper and dragged my mileage down.

And dont wash a HOT engine unless you want to crack your block, or head; (you callin me a blockhead?)

 

[BoatsRcool]

crap!! i just washed a pretty warm engine. i hope i didnt crack a head. ****!!!!

i saw steam come off.. but i didnt spray them too much. i did cover the alt thougj.

 

[glc8937]

I cover my KKM but use Gunk's engine-brite and have at it!! I like others do it when the engine is cold and I have no place to be at for a few hours. For mine being a 1993 I think it looks pretty darn clean. I also use armor-all on the plastic parts under the hood. I try to wipe the engine compartment down with a rag at least once every couple of weeks. I like to keep my baby clean!!

 

[bigDerk]

Any tricks for getting MUD stains off? I've got mud in every nook and cranny on this freakin truck... the pressure washers at the car wash won't even get the stains off! Do I have to go through and scrub every part I want clean? Would having the engine steam cleaned work? Gunk Engine Brite or STP Engine Degreaser won't even work for me.

 

[glc8937]

Well I am certaintly no mud expert but I would say if pressure washing isn't getting the mud off then you will need to break out some elbow grease, a toothbrush (preferrably one that you don't currently use Dead Link Removed ) and just make a day of scrubbing your baby clean!

 

[Rhett]

BigDerk, from Georgia, it sounds like you have DRIED GEORGIA CLAY in your engine bay and it is like concrete. Tools needed to remove it: hammer, chisel, C4.

 

[bigDerk]

Originally posted by Rhett Browning
BigDerk, from Georgia, it sounds like you have DRIED GEORGIA CLAY in your engine bay and it is like concrete. Tools needed to remove it: hammer, chisel, C4.

Yeah, no kidding... I got all the clay itself off, did that whenever I would clean the truck after mudding, but the stains were left behind. Guess elbow grease is my last resort...