How to clean engine bay?

blacknblue2002

Member

Jul 3, 2005

159

2

18

Va Beach, Va

Nov 27, 2007

#1

• Nov 27, 2007

• #1

First off, let me just say that I live at the beach...and I work all of 50 feet from the sand. My car gets ocean spray constantly, and whenever I pop the hood I can just wipe sand off of things.

For as long as I can remember, I've been spraying down my engine w/ degreaser (while the alternator was covered)...and then hosing it down and waiting for it to all dry up before ever cranking the car again.

Are there any other techniques that I should be using that would be 'safer' for my engine. I want to keep everything clean from all of the filfthy sand and dirt so that they don't interfere with the way my car performs.

any advise or examples of what you guys generally do would be greatly appreciated.

 

G

GettinThere

Member

Jul 29, 2005

553

1

19

Central Texas

Nov 27, 2007

#2

• Nov 27, 2007

• #2

blacknblue2002 said:

...and whenever I pop the hood I can just wipe sand off of things...

Click to expand...

You probably shouldn't wipe sand off of painted or chrome surfaces.

 

G

GettinThere

Member

Jul 29, 2005

553

1

19

Central Texas

Nov 27, 2007

#3

• Nov 27, 2007

• #3

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=716228

This and other threads like it should help you.

 

streethorse

15 Year Member

Oct 8, 2005

1,042

6

58

Dallas Texas

Nov 27, 2007

#4

• Nov 27, 2007

• #4

[/IMG] My engine never gets really dirty, only dusty. I just use an air hose and a paint
brush and sometimes a rag for the bad spots. Degreaser really makes a mess.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

3,501

28

119

Motor City

Nov 27, 2007

#5

• Nov 27, 2007

• #5

Do you guys get worried about water getting down in the spar plugs holes....that would cause bad misfires? It looks like the rubber seals OK...but do you guys worry about this.??

 

04YELLOWGT

Active Member

Jun 29, 2005

1,135

2

39

Indiana

Nov 27, 2007

#6

• Nov 27, 2007

• #6

I always steam clean my motor, I tried the degreaser and light water and it really did make a mess. As long as your careful with the steam cleaner it will do a great job.

 

BennyBlown2v

New Member

Dec 9, 2004

1,233

1

0

Carmel, INdiana

Nov 27, 2007

#7

• Nov 27, 2007

• #7

I use armor all tire shine, shines and cleans all surfaces, and is perfect for an un-cleared engine bay

 

H What 4.6

New Member

Jul 29, 2005

56

0

0

Nov 27, 2007

#8

• Nov 27, 2007

• #8

as far as water in the spark plus wells you should use a compressor to blow out the water that pools up there... thats what i do at least....

 

2000fordstanggt

Member

Sep 6, 2005

404

1

16

Westland, MI

Nov 27, 2007

#9

• Nov 27, 2007

• #9

H What 4.6 said:

as far as water in the spark plus wells you should use a compressor to blow out the water that pools up there... thats what i do at least....

Click to expand...

thats a good idea. i might have to try that after i wash my engine in the sring.

 

fobra559

At least it's more erect and not floppy anymore.

Nov 1, 2007

721

0

0

Lindsay, CA

Nov 27, 2007

#10

• Nov 27, 2007

• #10

streethorse said:

[/IMG] My engine never gets really dirty, only dusty. I just use an air hose and a paint
brush and sometimes a rag for the bad spots. Degreaser really makes a mess.

Click to expand...

Same here, Engine looks good man

 

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member

May 20, 2006

1,421

4

39

UCSD/La Jolla

Nov 27, 2007

#11

• Nov 27, 2007

• #11

i have sprak plug wire caps that fill my SP holes completely, no water gets in there

 

twogts4us

15 Year Member

Apr 1, 2004

4,188

12

79

Dunedin, FL

Nov 28, 2007

#12

• Nov 28, 2007

• #12

streethorse said:

My engine never gets really dirty, only dusty. I just use an air hose and a paint
brush and sometimes a rag for the bad spots. Degreaser really makes a mess.

Click to expand...

Dittos here...

 

BlackenedSVT

Active Member

Jan 18, 2004

1,841

7

38

New Jersey

Nov 28, 2007

#13

• Nov 28, 2007

• #13

buy a good steam cleaner. cleans the engine bay right up nicely

 

Pirateinastang

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

30

0

0

Carlisle, PA.

Nov 28, 2007

#14

• Nov 28, 2007

• #14

Since we're posting some clean engine bays heres mine. I just stay on top of it by dusting it once in a while but +1 for the steam cleaner.

 

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blacknblue2002

Member

Jul 3, 2005

159

2

18

Va Beach, Va

Nov 28, 2007

#15

• Nov 28, 2007

• #15

Thanks guys...a lot of good advice in these replies...I have an air compressor but I need to buy an attachment hose that will allow me to spray air in the engine bay (I ony use the thing for putting air in tires)...I like the 'steamcleaner' idea, but I thought those things were expensive???...and I've always used armorall tire shine on the black pieces, but I still never get my engine looking as good as some of the ones posted...must take talent