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

[EHeye]

If we have electrical ignition should we cover the plug wires and the valve cover so water doesnt go into the spark plug holes?

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by Solar Eclipse96
yea simple green is like acid, that stuff cleans everything, thanks

Pardon my buttheadedness, but it's not acid, it's a surfactant. Though it does almost clean like an acid. You can drink it, too. But it really tastes horrible, and brings no buzz.

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by EHeye
If we have electrical ignition should we cover the plug wires and the valve cover so water doesnt go into the spark plug holes?

You don't want to flood the plug holes, some covering or limited spraying in that area is a good idea. And yeah, that electrical ignition seems to be working out lots better than that old flint-spark idea.....

 

[rick]

here in el paso it doesnt pay to clean your engine. we have too much dust here. you have to clean your k&n like every other week.

 

[out there]

wouldn't it be a better idea to just take out the battery, then spray the whole thing without paying attention to where the cleaner and water go? then let it sit for another 2 days to dry? ok... so it's not better... just easier because you're lazy...
seriously though, one of my friends was going to try this out when summer arrives, and i want to know if i should just laugh or help him out

 

[crazyjoe]

Slap him.

Whether or not current is running through the wires holds no bearing on the fact that if water gets into those connectors, it can leech conductivity or cause shorts once the engine is started again.

Cover the electrical stuff, and if you have an open-element air filter, cover that as well.

 

[out there]

are you sure you know what you're talking about? last time i checked, if there is no current when it's wet, then once it is dry there should be no problems. kind of like a guitar amp; friend was at a gig where his bass amp was dropped into a pool after playing, he opened it up and set a fan blowing at it all night and the next day. that night it worked just like it did before.

 

[CBgst]

I know I read it on here before but I couldn't find it. Which vacume lines can be eliminated. I don't have to worry about emissions (sp?). As far as I know the only ones I need are for the fpr, bov, mbc, and one on the throttle body I think. Also how do you eliminate the cruise control box. Does someone sell a kit or something. Any other tips on cleaning up the engine bay would be much appreciated. Oh I almost forgot I probably relocate the battery to the trunk also. Thanks

 

[sleepinGSX]

Remove all the lines on the tbs nipples also the little plastic valves on the fire wall. Yank all that crap out, loop a line on both to the egr nips. Remove the battery and battery bracket, take out the canistor that the vac lines run to. Check out taboo speed are what ever for a good pic of the vac line u need to run. As far as the cruise, basicly i think all u need is a non-cruise TB cable and then u can remove all that crap. I wanna do that pretty soon also.

 

[doug]

http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62684

http://www.taboospeedshop.com/emissions1.htm

 

[CBgst]

Thanks alot that was very infomative. Well that gives me something else to do while I'm waiting on my bottom end from Slowboy Racing.

 

[UltraImports]

egr blockoff plate $8 at mitsu

 

[RipperXX]

same here but for now i think im just gona put the battery in the back.. (untill i know more about these engines i dont wana go pulling vacume lines and stuff off)

 

[DrSartin]

I've gotten to the point where I want my engine to look semi-new at least. First of all how would I go about cleaning rocker cover? Get some of the shine back to it? I know its probably a newbie question, but I'm just plain sick of a dirty engine.

 

[TurBoGs-T]

You can sand it down and then use some metal polish. Just for starters. if you are serious get it powdercoated. powdercoating it will make it easy to clean.

 

[Defiant]

They don't shine when new, they're bare die-castings. But carb or brake cleaner will get it back to new. Then you could start polishing...

 

[Vinnie]

I had nothing to do this pass Sunday, so I decided to give my Engine Bay a nice bath and cleaning job, here is the links to some pics, let me know what you guys think of my cleaning job:


http://awdpower.tripod.com/talonperformance/id27.html

 

[eclipx]

damn pretty

 

[90AWDTalon]

Wana clean Mine?

 

[Race94]

Alright:
1)How do i clean my engine?(a little detailed like can i hose it down etc.) What do i cover up?(air filter,ignition etc.) What do i use?( any famous brands?)

2)Does intake,IC pipe sizes matter that much? What would be a good size or is any upgrade pipe better than stock??

3)I was thinking of buying an oil system flush from gold eagle, it's an additive that cleans the oil system and engine should i use this on my car?(i ask because i don't want to mess it up)

Also what about STP complete fuel system cleaner?

Thanks

 

[allwheelTSI]

all the additives and treatments,cleaners are a bunch of crap if you ask me,upgraded IC pipes will give you a good performance gain,faster spool,quicker transient response. check out the pipes at www.dejontool.com

 

[Laser-man]

the only oil additave i have found that works is marvins mystery oil its in a red bottle i think thats what its called. you can actualy see your oil turn black pretty quick from it cleaning out your engine.

 

[crazyjoe]

If you want to wash the engine bay, the best way is NOT to spray a hose in there. Use an engine bay cleaner/degreaser and a rag, yes a rag, to wipe things down. Soaking the electronics (and they are all over the place, you will spend as much time covering them all up as if you just wiped carefully) is not good for them.

For rubber and plastic parts, use simple green to clean them and then a protectant to shine them if necessary.

 

[truwarrior]

http://www.3si.org/portal/forums/showthread.php?threadid=146514

Found it on www.3si.org

Their before and after pics look amazing! Anyone have any tips for us DSMers? Also if you try this, post some pics

 

[SDSGSX]

ive used gunk before but that was it and it really did clean the engine bay hella good but i never thought to use tire foam to shine it....i guess i have a sunday project now