Cleaning Engine

[regwood79]

Has anyone cleaned ever cleaned their engine at the carwash? I have see a setting on the panel at the carwash where it says you can clean your engine and remove all the dust and grime from the engine. Just want to know if anyone has done this either at the carwash or at home.

[Bayou Titan]

The link below shows how to clean your engine at home.

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=25

[browndude3649]

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

The link below shows how to clean your engine at home.

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=25

Link didn't work for me

[ashysky03]

I clean my engine all of the time at the carwash. Just leave your vehicle running. It will make your engine look brand new. It takes all of the oil, grease, dirt, etc. off of your engine and brings back the new look.

[Elbo]

when washing the engine, you might go gentle around the electronics areas, the intake, and probably stay somewhat clear of the headers further down. You don't want to crack er'

[Slewis]

I used to detail cars and we would spray the engine down with some purple degreaser. let it set a couple minutes and then spray down with a pressure washer

[pi3yeargrad]

"gunk" I believe its called works prety well...

[Burly]

If your using a pressure washer at a car wash, dont spray a strong direct stream and the underhood liner. I did this on my 04 and it frayed the material and made it look chitty.

[Bhudda454]

all the above are correct. spray some degreaser or simle green all over the dirty parts while engine is cool. then drive to carwash and leave engine running. srpay with high pressure avaioding direct shots at computers and air intake. when you get home it should be dry, and then you can spray on some armour all if you want the shiny look. be advised that the shiny look will attract most dust than anything. have a great weekend and enjoy.

[phillipyang]

I thought getting water in the engine area will kill the engine. I'll just watch out for the electronics area and the intake area

[Truck41]

used simple green, garden hose only. over time, high pressure will penetrate pulley bearings.

[ptgarcia]

Pop the hood and hose it down. Simple green does work good to remove greasy build up. No need to run the engine while spraying. You actually have a greater chance of ingesting water that way.

[Clancy]

I would also be a bit careful around the radiator with the high-pressure washer... I've heard of people to blowing holes in their radiator with a direct blast.

[Bayou Titan]

You don't really need high pressure water. The heat of the engine and chemical action will loosen the grime enough where garden hose pressure is enough to wash everything away.

[titanau]

SIMPLE GREEN .....

Spray it on and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. There is no need to heat up the engine first. Do not use a high pressure hose and watch out for electrical connectors. Then use compressed air to dry the engine compartment. If your engine bay is really nasty, you may have to use two applications. You can also use a cheap painting brush with simple Green to loosen up the stubborn crud.

Note:This might be a good time to use Dielectric grease (lightly) on all electrical harness connectors, including the spark plug boot connectors. Use electronics sponge Q-Tips to apply the grease.

Then for shows use Meguire's #40 Rubber and Vinyle Protector to give everything a shine that is not as staticy as using Armoral. IMO, Armoral is crap. You can also go over the engine bay with a water wash after you spray it with #40 so that there isn't too much residue ... then blow dry.

I clean the engine bays on my vehicles all the time with Simple Green and have never had a problem. IMHO, it's the BEST ... and it is cheap.