Engine Detailing How-To

[Flounder]

Well, since my Explorer is pushing 8 years old, I decided to clean the engine for the first time. I know, it's long overdue but I have never wanted to mess any components up.

Note: This is how *I* cleaned mine. I am not responsible if anything happens to your engine as a result of following these steps. The Expy is drying now, and we'll see how it runs later tonight or tomorrow. Then I can tell you if I succeeded.

Make sure the engine is COLD (hasn't been used for at least 6 hours).

Step 1: Open the hood. Cover the alternator, battery, and fuse box (for safety). Also cover any wires showing from their protective hoses/sleeves.

Unfortunately I didn't take a photo before the engine was sprayed with Simple Green, but trust me, it was dirty - 8 years of dirt dirty.

Step 2: Lightly spray the entire engine compartment with cold water. Then, apply your favority NON FLAMMABLE and NON CORROSIVE degreaser (I use Simple Green). Allow it to set for 2 minutes or so. I also recommend taking brushes and gently scrubbing what you can to help the degreaser work (I used 4 different sizes - the smallest being a toothbrush).

Step 3: Rinse THOROUGHLY (10 minutes is a good number) to make sure everything is washed down and no cleaning residues remain.

Above is after I rinsed thoroughly and removed the covers from all electrical components I felt should be covered. Actually, I repeated the washing process a second time after rinsing to get any leftover dirt off the engine. Regardless...

Clean with a damp cloth the pieces you covered (see above I forgot to clean the battery - rest soundly, I did a few monents ago heh), being careful not to electrocute yourself. The smell of burning flesh in an Explorer cabin really brings the resale value down.

Tomorrow I am going to spray some CD-2 Engine Detailer (can be purchased at any AutoZone) on the engine per its instructions (cover alternator, [distributer], any engine or fan belts and air intake) and run the engine for 20 mins to let it set.

I will post photos tomorrow to let you see the final product.

Note: Unfortunately, you can probably tell it doesn't look like a newer Explorer that has had its engine cleaned - the alternator is somewhat permanently stained/corroded, the headers the same, and other metal parts show rust. But alas, that happens when a vehicle is 8 years old and 103,000 on the clock.

EDIT: 8:00PM - finished product.

I let it cure for 20 minutes than ran the engine for 10. I have to take it for a drive to heat everything up and set the CD-2, which I will do after I touch up some missed spots and let them dry.

As you can see, it looks pretty good. Some of the CD-2'd surfaces need to be wiped, which I will do in a little. Likewise, parts of the battery I missed and other places. I will go out and touch up the missed areas in a little.

 

[Doug]

Good write up. I however have powerwashed mud of my motor numerous times and I dont bother to cover up anything. The only thing I avoid is the airfilter. But this is the way *I* do things and is not necessarily correct.

 

[Hartman]

Let me add that Stoner's Trim Shine work VERY good for restoring any black plastic parts under the hood, or anywhere for that matter.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Looks pretty good, dude. When I clean my engine I make sure to dry it right away by driving it around for 5 minutes or so just to make sure everything that is supposed to be dry is dry.

 

[GaSouthern1]

I always spray it down with purple power and then rinse and saturate it with tire shine, it works awesome and looks great. Also, when the tire shine starts to collect dust you can just repeat the process. Also, if you take a damp rag and spray the heck out of it with the tire shine you can wipe the engine parts that have been shined already and it make the shine look really smooth plus you can get the underside of the air tube and filter housing and all that.