engine cleaning question... [Merged 2-7] engine bay washing

[OMN_DSM]

I cleaned my engine today and now my starter wont engage it spins but it will not engage to the flywheel to turn the engine over. Is it my starter, maybye a relay? Thank you for any help!

Mike

 

[REDBLUR]

That kinda of weird. on the starter theres a plunger like mechanism (solenoid) which kicks the starter gear out to engage the flywheel. If the starter still spins but does not kick out, i am assuming the brushes are still good, the solenoid may be shot. If you have to pull it out rebuild it or get it rebuilt if you plan on using the car for awhile. Its not a good idea to spray water directly onto the electrical components under the hood!!!

 

[REDBLUR]

wait, i checked my manual and found this.
If the starter motor spins but the engine is not cranking, the over running clutch in the starter motor is slipping and the starter motor must be removed and replaced......

It looks like you have to pull the starter, its either the solenoid or the above mentioned problem, good luck!!

 

[OMN_DSM]

Thanks for the responses. I had to steam clean my engine there was about an inch of fire extingiusher stuff all over everything. I actually figured out my prblem though, I'm missing a few teeth on my flywheel, and that just so happened where it landed after the last time it was cranked over.

Mike

 

[halik]

Hey,
my engine and the wholy compartment is exteremly dirty (just got the car...). Anyway the manual says the engine shouldnt be sprayed or washed and people have mixed opinions on this.

To wash or not to wash, that is the question?

 

[gstspyder1998]

I just use the engine cleaner they have in the automotive store and I wash it afterwards. I have had no problems doing this!!!

 

[venom2097]

I wash mine all the time, just cover your air filter, and if you want to be x-tra safe cover the batt. Don't wash a hot motor either, commen sense should tell you this but....

 

[bnpimpn]

i have a question too...i do wash my motor but my heat sheild is extremely ugly...like a rusty brownish...i dunno,...can i paint it with a high heat black paint?

 

[Bohrn]

I run a large detail shop so this ? comes up alot. I have washed many a 4G63 engine (or similar, with plugs in the top of the head) and always get similar results. The plug holes get full of water and you get a misfire. Always. And you can get the plug wire ends wet too, like where they attach to the coil packs etc.

anyway, you must plug these holes with rags or something. Or if your engine is not dirty enough to warrant a full engine shampoo with pressure wash, then just don't aim the water over there. But if it is very dirty, like you say yours is, pull the wires, and stuff rags tighly down the holes. Leave the plugs in of course.

When doing an engine shampoo, hit all the greasy areas with the degreaser, and then with a brush, wipe it all down. then pressure wash/or hose. repeat till desired level of clean is achieved.

best of luck

John

 

[iceman21]

what about covering the altenator?

 

[Bohrn]

haven't had any problems with that, they seem to dry out nicely. But if yours isn't too dirty, then covering it couldn't hurt any.

but like I said, we do ~ 30 engine shampoos a week, and so far, no alt probs

 

[Goblin]

In Idaho the streets are covered with sand from November to April from sanding trucks and it has wreaked havoc on my engine compartment. The entire thing is covered with 2mm thick layer of dirt, oil and sand. The only way I can get it off is with a paint scraper, and even then it doesn't come out too well... Any suggestions on what I can use to get it all out? I can't scrape all of it out because it's everywhere and a scraper just isn't going to fit everywhere. I've tried pressure washing it, and this crap is like adobe clay, it just doesn't budge!

 

[Bohrn]

you have to soften it up with some GOOD engine degreaser/cleaner. Something strong. Don't get it on your paint. Let it sit for a few min or longer. Then pressure wash it. Do it again, until you get it all. Also you can scrub the tight areas with a stiff toothbrush to get off the thick stuff. Don't use wire brushes, or metal scrapers, you will wreck things.

I don't know any off the shelf cleaners that are strong enough, but if you have an Autoglym dealer in your neighbourhood, you could try "Purple Power". Cut it 1/1 with water. This is way overkill for most engine compartments, but yours sounds like a nasty one. Also if you have a CarBrite dealer, try thier product called "Purple Panther" Same deal. All the professional detail suppliers will have something similar(probably purple )so give it a go.

Or take it in to a good detail shop and make them promise to get it all. You will pay more, but if it is worth it to you then that is ok.

After you clean it properly once, you can just keep it clean once a week alot easier.

best of luck

John

 

[badgsx]

Sometimes I stick the hose in my air intake to clean out the inside of my engine too. Gets it real nice and squeaky clean.

 

[gstspyder1998]

Originally posted by badgsx
Sometimes I stick the hose in my air intake to clean out the inside of my engine too. Gets it real nice and squeaky clean.

 

[Goblin]

Originally posted by badgsx
Sometimes I stick the hose in my air intake to clean out the inside of my engine too. Gets it real nice and squeaky clean.

i


and thanks for the advice on the purple shtuff. I thought about taking it to the local "performance tuner shop" but my bro knows the guy who owns it and runs it and he is all about half as*ed jobs and screwing people. so I have to do everything to my car myself (lots of reading 3 different service manual ) I'll snag some of the cleaner crap.

 

[bnpimpn]

hey i used to let my other cars idle while i washed the motor...(the car wasnt hot)...is that bad for these dsm's?

 

[Bohrn]

I advise shutting off the motor and cooling it off a bit before hitting it with large volumes of chilly water. Remember what happens when you put a rock from the campfire into the river??

I envison my turbo housing and exaust manifold to be like the rock.

prolly wrong, but I still wouldnt advise it.

 

[EvolvingGST]

you guys forgot to mention to cover you fuse box but besides that it is mad safe to wash your engine bay. AND ALWAYS KEEP YOUR ENGINE ON!!! atleast from all mechs i know and from what my friends tell me! So cover up your battery(if you want to play it safe), Fuse box, and Intake... Last thing you want is water in the intake.... I have some funny stories abt that but thats for another day. hehehe good job for your cleanliness of your car! keep it up. Loving a DSM is the only thing we owners can do!

 

[soulcontroller]

whats the BEST way to clean out under the hood. i wash and wax my car every few days and wouldnt mind cleaning out the engine compartment as well but im not sure the best way to go about doing so...

ive got a ton of wires heading into my ultima battery and good plugs etc...

is there a safe and easy way to clean things up without causing any harm?

 

[RocketDSM]

I have used the cheesy "DIY Washers" that have engine degreaser as a selection and it works great for me.

 

[91mitsu]

What have you found to be the best engine degreaser for cleaning out the engine bay?

 

[2gTurboS]

Simple Green, I dont consider it a degreaser but if you want to clean your engine bay up it works well. Certain parts it does a better job on than others but overall just a good cleaning product.

 

[greathuskie]

the .99 stuff from autozone

 

[5810]

Hi, dow do u clean the engine,because my whole engine has dust,dirt,oil,all over it. If u have any good suggestion and tricks and tips please post them.