Detailing Engine Compartment

[Boomyal]

I finally got a good day and the time to finally do it. The engine compartment on my 2006 V8 had never been scrubbed up. Considering that it had never been cleaned, it wasn't too bad but not up to my standards.

I used Gunk engine cleaner and a bristled scrub brush where ever it would reach. I let it sit a while then used a narrow mist to flush the engine. Then I went over everything with warm water, soap and a scrub brush. I even cleaned the underside of the hood and the sound pad.

Each step along the way, I had my compressor at hand and blew out the spark plug wells so water did not sit in them for more than a few minutes. I assume that there are some semblance of seals that at least try to keep water from getting down to the plugs. As I have never had the coils out I am making a big assumption.

Do you think everything will be good? I didn't want to start the engine right up as I wanted to give time for water to dry that might have gotten in any electrical connections.

 

[Themightyquinn]

I wash my engine off all the time at carwashes, Never had a problem with the water. It usually just burns off after a few minutes.

 

[Boomyal]

Well, as mentioned, I washed the motor and blew all the excess water away. I left the hood open for the balance of the warm day. I did not fire it up until the following day. Then I took it for a short drive.

Something was wet. It was definitely missing. I did a big circular loop including a final 3 mile run on the Fwy. It probably miss fired about 80% of the trip. Finally by the time I got off the Fwy and headed to home, it quit missing.

I don't know if it was some external ignition connection or whether water got down in one or some of the spark plug wells.

 

[BigRondo]

Standing by for the pics..................

I usually use spray simple green and then start the engine and rinse it off with a light mist. Never had an issue. Of course, now that I have said that, the next time I do it I will probably hydro lock the engine.

Seriously, standing by for the pics...................

 

[Boomyal]

Standing by for the pics..................

I usually use spray simple green and then start the engine and rinse it off with a light mist. Never had an issue. Of course, now that I have said that, the next time I do it I will probably hydro lock the engine.

Seriously, standing by for the pics...................

My engine compartment was a tad past Simple Green. Now that I have brought it back to near showroom condition, maybe the next cleaning will be sufficient with SG.

If you are really that hot for a pic, I can do that tomorrow. I will say, that unless one gets excited about a showroom fresh engine compartment, you'd be disappointed.

 

[BrianDye]

Pics or it didnt happen!

This is like posting a thread about your new car, but not sharing pictures! :

 

[Boomyal]

Pics or it didnt happen!

This is like posting a thread about your new car, but not sharing pictures! :

Ok, Ok! I get the picture! You'll just have to wait until tomorrow, ok?

 

[Scorpion8]

You'll just have to wait until tomorrow, ok?

(Fingers drumming on desk) It's tomorrow already!!!! Well, we're waiting!!!!

 

[Explorer_PL]

Waiting ........

 

[Boomyal]

Waiting ........

Coming soon!

 

[Boomyal]

Here it is! Now don't go spilling your coffee on your keyboards! I even got my Freon/belt routing sticker glued back on to the coolant recovery tank.

 

[thebrakeman]

Dad always taught me to keep the engine running if you're gonna wash it. Or at least once you start spraying water. At that time, we were still dealing with distributors. But based on this thread, probably still a good tip.

 

[BrianDye]

Looks like a brand new engine bay! Makes me want to go detail my Edge's bay, if only it wasn't snowing and 20 degrees outside.

 

[Boomyal]

...... if only it wasn't snowing and 20 degrees outside.......

Yep! That'd throw a wrench into the works. I didn't even want to do it when it was 50° out. I waited for a 70° Saturday.

 

[Boomyal]

Dad always taught me to keep the engine running if you're gonna wash it. Or at least once you start spraying water. At that time, we were still dealing with distributors. But based on this thread, probably still a good tip.

I really do not think that is a good idea with today's microvoltage equipment. It does not take much moisture to do damage when they short out from water intrusion.

 

[BigRondo]

Engine bay looks awesome!

 

[Boomyal]

Engine bay looks awesome!

Thanks BR. Maybe now Simple Green will keep it in shape.

 

[BigRondo]