Tips for cleaning engine bay?

[TheHarleyMod]

Last time I did this I managed to short out 2 coil packs and the PTU. That was about 5 years or so ago, so as you can imagine, things are a bit grimy now. Sooooo, any tips for doing this without damaging anything?

[Monochrome]

Don't spray the battery, mas, airfilter, and coils.

I've seen people just spray their engines with degreasers & detailers products (usually while the engine is warm as per the instructions that come with them) but I've never been too comfortable with that.

I take too much time cleaning my engine bays. Every part is pulled off and cleaned with brake cleaner and somethings are sandblasted (usually when it's pulled off to get to something else) outside the engine bay. Electrical stuff is cleaned usuing CRC QD Electronic Cleaner which comes in a spray form (you can get this anywhere). The parts are throughly dried before reinstalling.

There is a glossy detailing spray that gets applied after everything is cleaned and put back together which looks best (once again) when applied to a warm engine.

The firewall, fender-wall, and radiator support (anything painted) actually cleans up really well with just a simple hand buffing of cheep wax (like turtle wax). This just pulls up the oxidized paint and brings up a suddle gloss to the engine bay. Yes I have painted an engine bay before followed by a couple coats of clear. This finish looks amazing (I'm sure you've seen Erics stealth).

As for the little details like bolts, brackets, and heat shields, if they've lost their "gold" hue over the years, sandblasting immediately followed by a coat of dupilicolor clear really goes far to get rid of the rusty look under the hood.

Another thing that looks good is just replacing the underhood insulation with a new one from the dealer. I haven't come up with a good way to clean the original one up as 9x out of 10 they're cracked/torn/flaking.

[vegasidol]

[quote=""Monochrome""]

Another thing that looks good is just replacing the underhood insulation with a new one from the dealer. I haven't come up with a good way to clean the original one up as 9x out of 10 they're cracked/torn/flaking.[/quote]

Do you know how much those run?

[Jeremy C]

[quote=""vegasidol""]Do you know how much those run?[/quote]

IIRC, about $90 from one that gives us a discount. The problem is getting it in good shape. I picked one up for Roger Roskam (remember the super bling indy stealth?) and right from the dealer it had scratches.

[J-Groove]

I'm a big fan of simple green.

I usually take off most of my intake piping the clear up some space and be able to get them all clean and go to town.

It is safe on paint yet still a very strong degreaser.

Other ideas mentioned are great, though simple green is very affordable.
-John

[Terry]

If it's not that bad just use some foaming tire cleaner/shine. Spray it on everything and let it sit. When it's done foaming wipe off the excess. Then just wax the painted parts and you'll be all set.

If it's pretty greasy warm the engine up and spray it down with some citrus base cleaner. Let it sit, start up the car, and spray it down with some high pressure water...just be careful to avoid anything important and electrical. Spray it off with some compressed air to dry it up.

Terry

[Hans_GZP]

[quote=""Jeremy C""]IIRC, about $90 from one that gives us a discount. The problem is getting it in good shape. I picked one up for Roger Roskam (remember the super bling indy stealth?) and right from the dealer it had scratches.[/quote]

They were about $60 last time I checked, but it could have gone up in price since then. It's a really good idea to get a new one. They make your engine look way better.

I use Gunk Citrus Engine Detailer/Degreaser. You spray that stuff on and let it sit for 15 minutes. Cover your MAF before doing so. Hose down the engine bay with a good strong stream of water. If it's still greasy, let the engine dry off and repeat the process. After it is clean, you can spray that stuff on once again and let it sit. It will shine up the engine bay really nice and it really cleans the grease off of your master cylinder caps nicely

[bluej]

[quote=""J-Groove""]I'm a big fan of simple green.

I usually take off most of my intake piping the clear up some space and be able to get them all clean and go to town.

It is safe on paint yet still a very strong degreaser.

Other ideas mentioned are great, though simple green is very affordable.
-John[/quote]
amen.

works well when diluted on the interior if it's been a while since the last interior detail also. then go over everything with something like an armor-all that's designed for car interiors and it holds up well.

[Jeremy C]

[quote=""Hans_GZP""]They were about $60 last time I checked, but it could have gone up in price since then.[/quote]

I could have also remembered the number upside down. It wouldn't be the first time I transposed something like that.

[Hans_GZP]

[quote=""Jeremy C""]I could have also remembered the number upside down. It wouldn't be the first time I transposed something like that.[/quote]

Wouldn't it be $09 then?

[BleedScarlet]

[quote=""Monochrome""]Don't spray the battery, mas, airfilter, and coils.
[/quote]

but...then how will I ever get my cheap alcohol+water to work???

[Gray Haze]

..........remove the engine

[JagdStealth]

Make sure your sparkplug wires are shoved in really good so you don't get water settling in the holes.

Also start and run the engine a bit/go for a drive once your done to help make sure no water is left sitting somewhere overnight.

[Jeremy C]

[quote=""Hans_GZP""]Wouldn't it be $09 then? [/quote]

I could have also remembered the number upside down.

Upside down $90 = $60 (or close enough that it's easy to forget)

[TheHarleyMod]

Thanks, all!

[BleedScarlet]

no problem!
I didn't help at all...but good luck!

#92

[Scopata_Fuori]

Purple Power is cheap...paid like $5 for a gallon...use it diluted for normal stuff or put some in a little spray bottle for using straight concentrate, then steam clean after letting it sit for 15 minutes or so.