How To: Clean The Engine Compartment

[StreetRacin101]

Warm the engine by starting it up for a few minutes, then shut it off. Cover the distributer, and you can either cover the alternator and fuse box, or use low pressure spray in those areas. Wet the engine with high pressure spray. Spray engine and compartment with Simple Green at full strength (dirty engine) otherwise use a 50/50 mix (50% Simple Green, 50% Water). Let sit for about 5 minutes. Use a brush on heavily soiled areas. Rinse with high pressure spray, but use low pressure around electrical components. Don't forget the underside of the hood.

After rinsing, start the engine and let run until the engine is dry. Go ahead and start wiping down the painted areas-but be careful while the engine is running. After the engine is dry, wipe down and towel dry the areas that you couldn't reach when the engine was running. Finish up with Silicone Spray on hoses and plastic parts and your ready to go.

As long as you have no oil leaks, you shouldn't have to clean your engine more than 2 times a year.

Original Article At: http://www.pi-motorsports.com/index_tech.asp#clean

[captain caprice]

I've always heard that spraying water on a hot engine is a good way to crack something. Guess not.. :shock:

[StreetRacin101]

Read it carefully, you are not spraying water on a hot engine. You start it or drive it around to get it to normal operating temperature. This gets it hot enough to work like a sauna under that hood. While its "warm", you spray the simple green (all natural, so its best for the environment) to start tearing away at the dirt and grime. The sauna effect helps to break up the caked on goodness, and help treat the underside of the hood as well. The engine is also cooling down during this process, so once you go to rinse it all off, its not hot anymore. So as you see, your not spraying water on a hot engine. When spraying the water, the only thing you need to pay attention to is the distributor. If you get it wet, no biggie, let the car thuroughly dry in the sun for about an hour to dry it out.

[GIO]

Well Said...Caprice please thank Jason for giving you a little bit more wisdom today.

[captain caprice]

Thanks Jason. :p


Well, I have carb'ed engine, so I would also need to cover the air cleaner assembly and such, right? Water + fuel = bad. :(

[StreetRacin101]

Yea for carb applications you would cover it up, so that water does not pool up in there. Using a plastic grocery bag will work fine.

[Me007gold]

works wonnders did this a few months ago, and it really changed things

[toplessnturboed]

hmf, i use this special siding cleaner, its like 20 bucks a gallon, works wonders, but if its real dirty get some money and get some high-temp paint

[phatintegra]

Now time to post up pics! heehee

[StreetRacin101]

ERDT - I cant say that the solution to tough dirt spots be painting over them. So i gotta say thats the wrong solution. First try several attempts with the simple green to let it dissolve layers at a time. Vigorous scrubbing and brushing will help a great deal as well. All without having to remove any pieces from the car. Also, simple green is less then $20 for about a gallons worth and its evironmentally friendly... with a nice pine smell. :)

[toplessnturboed]

if u read i said i use a special type of cleaner, if its a stain i would paint it.
i know wat u mean and i agree too man :dancingco

[Tonk]

Warm the engine by starting it up for a few minutes, then shut it off. Cover the distributer, and you can either cover the alternator and fuse box, or use low pressure spray in those areas. Wet the engine with high pressure spray. Spray engine and compartment with Simple Green at full strength (dirty engine) otherwise use a 50/50 mix (50% Simple Green, 50% Water). Let sit for about 5 minutes. Use a brush on heavily soiled areas. Rinse with high pressure spray, but use low pressure around electrical components. Don't forget the underside of the hood.

After rinsing, start the engine and let run until the engine is dry. Go ahead and start wiping down the painted areas-but be careful while the engine is running. After the engine is dry, wipe down and towel dry the areas that you couldn't reach when the engine was running. Finish up with Silicone Spray on hoses and plastic parts and your ready to go.

As long as you have no oil leaks, you shouldn't have to clean your engine more than 2 times a year.

Original Article At: http://www.pi-motorsports.com/index_tech.asp#clean

A little trick I learned a few months ago for shows: After thoroughly cleaning the engine with the previously mentioned steps, spray FOAMY tire shine (it must be foamy) all over the engine area. After a good amount is on the engine, close the hood and turn on the engine. Let it run for about 15 minutes or so. When you open the hood, the engine will be shining better than the day it was built. If you go to page 4 of my Cardomain site (in my signature) you can see a picture of how my engine turned out after doing this. The only downside to it is that dust sticks to the engine easier, but it comes right off with a simple rinse.

[84hachi]

cool, ill try that, thanks

[driveway]

here are some cleaners that I have found that world excellent.

for the engine either westleys bleach white (white wall cleaner) just spray it on and that shit eats away any grime, oil, sludge and doesnt leave a white filmy residue. if you can hook your hose up to the hot water tank in your house unless you have a spicket for hot water in youir garage.

there is a company in cleveland called CHEMSAFE and they sell a cleaner with the same name, this shit cleans an engine like it was brand new, it also works great on paint as long as the car is white, it will make your car 10x brighter.

for interior I use ZEP high traffic area carpet cleaner, they sell it at home depot in half gallon jugs and just mix it in a spray bottle with 40% hot water and spray it on your seats or carpet and use a brush and a shop vac and it will take any stains out, does good on juice stains too.