• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

tips on cleaning the engine bay

  • Thread starter Thread starter 90five0oh
  • Start date Start date Oct 15, 2007
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
9

90five0oh

New Member
Sep 12, 2006
29
0
0
i live in robertsdale, al
Oct 15, 2007
#1
  • Oct 15, 2007
  • #1
just as the title states. i need to clean it really bad and nothing seems to help. what do yall usually do to clean it up??

here is you pic. but i have a cai polished valve covers and throttle body/egrg and headers now. if it matters.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/20/coreysnewmustang004px4.jpg
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
44
Canton, MI
www.soniccherry.com
Oct 15, 2007
#2
  • Oct 15, 2007
  • #2
Back when mine was 'normal' I used to use Simple Green diluted a little bit, scrubbed in with a brush where needed, and hosed off. That's all. Any kind of those degreasers will work well and the process is basically the same. You can break out the heavy bristle brushes, toothbrushes, etc. too. Some parts are stained with oil and crap and the best way to really make the part look new is to paint it to match what an OEM color would look like...if that's what you're going for.
 
9

90five0oh

New Member
Sep 12, 2006
29
0
0
i live in robertsdale, al
Oct 15, 2007
#3
  • Oct 15, 2007
  • #3
well i have used the degreasers before but i never scrubbed it lol. maybe thats the problem huh. i appreciate it
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
44
Canton, MI
www.soniccherry.com
Oct 15, 2007
#4
  • Oct 15, 2007
  • #4
You may find it helpful to warm the engine up a minute or so to loosen some dirt, too. Repetition of that spray/scrub/rinse process will likely be required at first too, but once it becomes clean 1 shot will maintain it
 
9

90five0oh

New Member
Sep 12, 2006
29
0
0
i live in robertsdale, al
Oct 16, 2007
#5
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #5
ok ill try that this weekend. we are supposed to wax it and all this weekend so i was gonna clean up under the hood too. thanks for you help
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
44
Canton, MI
www.soniccherry.com
Oct 16, 2007
#6
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #6
Steam cleaners work too, I hear. Never did it myself but if you have trouble that's always another option
 

RUNINAGT

Member
Oct 3, 2005
237
2
18
CHARLESTON S.C.
Oct 16, 2007
#7
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #7
I was thinking about this on the way in this morning. My question (not trying to jack your thread) is what can not get wet??? Other than the dist. Do you just soak it and spray everything????
Fortunatly for me I dont have any leak issues, I can honestly say mine is bone dry from any leaks , but I do want it to look better for the carshow in January @ Silver Springs Fla I believe.
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
44
Canton, MI
www.soniccherry.com
Oct 16, 2007
#8
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #8
Some say everything may get wet and be ok, but still I always used to cover the battery terminals, alternator and distributor with plastic bags. I've seen people hold a hose spraying fully onto an alternator for a minute straight and have no problems though. Careful not to flood the plugs too, obviously any bit of wetness can harm spark. I had that problem once, oddly enough when I barely used any water in there too
 

fivespeedsteed

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 17, 2003
748
22
69
37
Richmond, VA
Oct 16, 2007
#9
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #9
i avoid spraying the door lock circuit breakers and master coil on the driverside engine bay also. i usually take 2 plastic bags (from a grocery store, ect) and lay one over the dist, wrapping it up good, and one over the wires where the master coil is. they came with a plastic cover there, but mines broken. and then i just lightly spray..
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
44
Canton, MI
www.soniccherry.com
Oct 16, 2007
#10
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #10
Oh yea, the coil too and the plug that goes with it. Usually covered it's not a problem, and I forget about since mine isn't in the engine bay
 

RUNINAGT

Member
Oct 3, 2005
237
2
18
CHARLESTON S.C.
Oct 16, 2007
#11
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #11
Cool mine still has the rubber boot covering the dist cap., I guess I will cover those other items. How about the salt and pepper shakers @ the back.???
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,029
1,621
194
NJ
Oct 16, 2007
#12
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #12
Don't be totally alarmed if after you do this the car misses a little bit, until it's hot enough to burn the water off. So don't go beating on it the second you pull out of the driveway.
 

nisreo

New Member
Jul 22, 2006
178
0
0
Oct 16, 2007
#13
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #13
I ended up just taking stuff off, throwing it in the parts washer at work. A little bit of soap, and wire brush and painted it.
 
9

90five0oh

New Member
Sep 12, 2006
29
0
0
i live in robertsdale, al
Oct 16, 2007
#14
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #14
well i dont really wanna take anyhting off but if i have to i will...i just wanna clean the majority of it. thanks for all your help guys
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
41
Montgomery, NY
Oct 16, 2007
#15
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #15
Soap, water, wax and some tire shine on mine for shows...
 
9

90five0oh

New Member
Sep 12, 2006
29
0
0
i live in robertsdale, al
Oct 16, 2007
#16
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #16
wax?? what for?? and tire shine too? never heard of that. how does it work???
 

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.
Sep 13, 2004
2,487
4
0
38
Miami, Ok
Oct 16, 2007
#17
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #17
i'd blast the engine at the carwash with degreaser and rinse it well. i'd refrain from spraying directly on the dizzy and coil.

then take some simple green and some rags for the tough to get spots and some armor all for hoses and the like.
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
44
Canton, MI
www.soniccherry.com
Oct 16, 2007
#18
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #18
Wax for the paint, tire shine for the rubber. He and I don't exactly have stock looking engines
 

ryan218

In just 10 years, I'll be old enough to drive!!!!
Dec 28, 2005
0
1
38
34
columbus ohio
Oct 16, 2007
#19
  • Oct 16, 2007
  • #19
warm the engine up..let it run for 5-10 mins...hose it down with simple green....then scrub and powerwash off...thats what i did to mine.
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
41
Montgomery, NY
Oct 17, 2007
#20
  • Oct 17, 2007
  • #20
Manson's right, I have mine welded up and painted so it's easy to clean and keep decent looking. A stock engine bay really only takes one big scrubbing and then maintenance.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Engine Another no start after washing engine bay
  • bruno
  • Apr 26, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
722
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
AeroCoupe
B
90Gt squeal/chirp when hot
  • Bvoss59
  • Jun 12, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
695
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 14, 2025
General karthief
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
172
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
D
Any explanation?
  • dragstart
  • Aug 23, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
976
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Aug 31, 2024
WhiteCobra95
J
'96 Cobra: A/C gets weak and engine misfires under load when warm
  • jruhnke
  • Oct 22, 2025
  • SVT Tech Forum
Replies
2
Views
321
SVT Tech Forum Nov 20, 2025
nickyb
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?