Engine Bay Cleaning!

[gotmyeclipse]

Just wondering what do I need to cover when washing my engine bay? What are the parts that's not Okay to get wet. Thanks!

 

[my dreamt dsm]

I think this thread has been cover already but usally the altenator, distributor/ ignition coil majiga, header if car is hot, battery, intake, turbo.
Others feel free to chime in if I forgot anything.

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...8.0.151.1148.9j3.12.0...0.0...1ac.qlijNQnMVo0

 

[xrdgx]

Anything electrical like sensors,it won't hurt turbo just make sure engine is cool I do it all the time

 

[Vet-Slayer]

If your air filter is exposed make sure you cover it up with a plastic bag or something.Also make sure your spark plug boots are in all the way.I recommend you blow the engine off with air after to dry it as well.

 

[DSM1G90]

Karcher gas driven, portable pressure washer does wonders when at home on a cold motor.

 

[clipto]

I have used gasoline in a spray bottle and a wire brush for years to clean it up. Then I just hosed it down when I was done. Unless you got some hack job wiring I don't see a issue happening.

 

[bryanwheat]

I have used gasoline in a spray bottle and a wire brush for years to clean it up. Then I just hosed it down when I was done. Unless you got some hack job wiring I don't see a issue happening.

That is an awful idea. First off the whole engine bay will smell like gas afterwards. 2nd gas isn't water soluble so it won't all wash off when washed with water. 3rd it is flammable and easily ignited with a spark or flame. 3rd a wire brush doesn't do do so good on painted surfaces. There are several cleaners out there that are light years better than gasoline for cleaning engine bays such as purple power and simple green. They are non flammable, non toxic, bio degradable , and the fumes won't kill your lungs. They also clean better.

 

[clipto]

Don't knok it till you tried it. I'm not saying go do it if your not comfortable. I have have been doing it for years. No I don't ever smell gas after I do it. All I see is a clean engine bay.

 

[DSM1G90]

Very true - bad idea using petrol as a cleaner...!

Hit Home Depot, Costco, or the similar and get you a gallon of classic, "Simple Green" !

Use undiluted, right out of the jug into a spray bottle and nylon bristle brush, shop rags, old terry cloth towels and similar (even used tooth brushes are great as part cleaning brushes).

Cuts through grease, cleans rims, wash windows with - anything that needs cleaned, Simple Green is the answer..

....AND, it's biodegradable, washes off with water and non-flammable.

You can use it to clean auto parts with (I used Simple Green when I do carb overhauls and just rinse with water and does wonders) and washing hands with with a scrub brush to get hands clean after they've been black with engine grime.

And it's totally safe to use. Be smart, for it won't hurt you! - DSM

 

[Lil' Shaun]

I never covered anything, ever. I worked in a detail shop. We just spray everything down with the cleaner and sprayed it all off with a pressure washer. Did it for 4 years. The only thing it messed up was corvettes. They would die and not start for a couple houres.

 

[DSM1G90]

Pop the dist. cap off, wipe it dry underneath, put it back on and they'll fire right back up.

GM Dist caps were never waterproof.

 

[NHerron]

If you used distilled water, you wouldn't have to worry about hurting anything electrical

 

[sincitydru]

If you used distilled water, you wouldn't have to worry about hurting anything electrical

Just curious, why would distilled water be different.?

 

[WES_393]

Just curious, why would distilled water be different.?

Water is only conductive when it contains ionic compounds, which are naturally picked up from the environment. So if you remove the impurities (distilling), you remove what makes it conductive.


For engine bay cleaning, I just unhook the battery and cover my K&N. Then spray everything with a 70/30 mix of purple power/water, scrub the tough spots, rinse thoroughly, and let dry completely before use.

 

[gotmyeclipse]

Water is only conductive when it contains ionic compounds, which are naturally picked up from the environment. So if you remove the impurities (distilling), you remove what makes it conductive.


For engine bay cleaning, I just unhook the battery and cover my K&N. Then spray everything with a 70/30 mix of purple power/water, scrub the tough spots, rinse thoroughly, and let dry completely before use.

what about the alternator and coil packs? are they okay to get wet?

 

[chinola69]

yeah you can get the alternator and coil pack wet. The best bet to clean the engine bay is leave the car running spray simple green everywhere, cover filter, battery, and be careful with spark plug well other then that just hit it with a power washer while its running. Then hit it with some air to dry everthing up.

 

[gotmyeclipse]

yeah you can get the alternator and coil pack wet. The best bet to clean the engine bay is leave the car running spray simple green everywhere, cover filter, battery, and be careful with spark plug well other then that just hit it with a power washer while its running. Then hit it with some air to dry everthing up.

thats a good idea, but whats the difference between simple green and an aerosol degreaser?

 

[92AWDHX40]

Simple green works great, cover up what you dont want to get wet, i use a toothbrush and some shop towels when i clean.

 

[slayer450]

thats a good idea, but whats the difference between simple green and an aerosol degreaser?

Simple green well prob degrease just as well as the degreaser your talking about, it just won't kill you it non toxic, and smells good

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Wash with simple green, water, and a paint brush, then idle engine until dry.

 

[chinola69]

thats a good idea, but whats the difference between simple green and an aerosol degreaser?

Liked stated before its just a great product. Non toxic, biodegradeable, doesnt give off fumes and its made here in the USA.

 

[Theturdburgler]

Simlpe green or grease lightning. Be careful som cleaners will strip the paint.

 

[bryanwheat]

Don't knok it till you tried it. I'm not saying go do it if your not comfortable. I have have been doing it for years. No I don't ever smell gas after I do it. All I see is a clean engine bay.

You probably don't smell gas because your sinus passages are damaged after inhaling all the gas fumes and aren't capable of smelling much afterwards. How can you say that the engine bay won't smell like gas. If you spill a little gas on your intake manifold from removing the fuel line it will smell like fuel for a week. I have cleaned plenty of things with gas, 15 years ago when i first started messing with cars. I soon learned that there are better products out there that do a better job.

 

[And_44]

Gasoline is a good degreaser, just use it wisely. Dousing your whole engine with gas isn't wise.

 

[tylersmith2014]

so its ok to just NOT cover anything up except air fliter and battery?