Engine Washing.

[sleepy2lazy]

Hey everyone.

Has anyone washed there engine?
I have read VFaq, but it still seems like a pretty scary thing to do.

I plan to wash my engine, b/c it looks like $$$$
I would like to know how you guys all done it, or something.

[Matt D.]

Coat everything with Simple Green and let it soak, scrub what you can. Get a hose sprayer that you can adjust and gently spray or mist the engine to rinse the Simple Green off.

[Onefast99gsx]

I'd stay away from the Altenator as much as possible.

[Kracka]

Meguiar's APC is a better alternative to Simple Green as it is not corosive to aluminum. I've never been a fan of those engine cleaner foams that come in a can since they always seem to discolor rubber. CD-2 is an awsome product to coat your engine in after its been cleaned.

[Tachyon]

What type of material are you looking to remove from your engine?

For mud and the like I use Tide in a spraying container attached to a garden hose + lots of water pressure.

For major grease/oil buildup, the most effective method that I’ve used is to use gas. Fill a bucket with gas, then, using a large bristle paint brush, apply gasoline to the top of the grease zones and watch it fall off the engine / bay. Immediately after, spray with water.

If you are worried about the alternator just throw a plastic bag over it, however, I personally haven’t had a problem with it shorting out. (after all, the alternator gets saturated with moisture when driving in the rain)

[sleepy2lazy]

I wanna wash the engine to make it clean. It looks pretty dirty from oil. Oil leaked thru the valve cover. seals weren't good in the past. besides the oil, it looks pretty dirty too.

i'd like to wash that junk off and make it all *nice and shiny*.

[sleepy2lazy]

thanks for your input guys

[slowHonduh]

I've been detailing for roughly 4 years and you have absolutely nothing to worry about when cleaning your engine bay. At my old job, we used an extremely high pressure and high heat pressure washer. It would get up to temps around 200F and over 3000psi. If you got your hand in front of it, it would rip the skin right off. Out of all the cars i did there, along with my own car, i have never had any problems what so ever. So anyways, just soak it in some type of degreaser and spray away. If your really worried about it, you can cover up your dizzy cap. But they is no need to worry about ruining anything. :)

[A//// Guy]

Do NOT use gasoline as a cleaner. Use Mineral spirits to take off grease just dont let it soak on painted surfaces.

Use a engine cleaner/degreaser. Much safer and you can get them at any auto store. Then buy some detailer in a can that makes everything all shiny (basically armor all)...