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Old 09-11-2002, 11:18 PM   #1
fookiethedookie
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Default how to clean engine bay

what would be the best way to clean out an engine bay?
how can i get it really clean, like showcar clean.
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Old 09-12-2002, 08:24 AM   #2
SubaruPilot
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bump


I would like opinions too please.

Thanx.
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Old 09-12-2002, 09:06 AM   #3
Rojorex
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I believe certain places will steam clean the engine. As to where to go to get it done... ???
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Old 09-12-2002, 10:04 AM   #4
Subie Gal
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simple green it... then powerwash it...
dry it off...
hit it w/some more simple green in any greasy/rough spots

aint gonna get much cleaner than that!'



Jamie
www.subiegalracing.com
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Old 09-12-2002, 10:07 AM   #5
Darby
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i found a place in new rochelle,ny that does it (steam cleaning/engine detailing), but that doesn't really help you florida/vermont people. i heard from a number of people that if you cover up the electronics/intercooler you can spray the engine with "Simple Green" then hose it down and start scrubing ("simple Green" eats paint too, so be careful where you spray it). Auto shops sell engine degreaser/cleaner kits in the waxes/polishes section. hope it helps. i know there was a thread about this in the archives too....
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Old 09-12-2002, 12:58 PM   #6
occhy
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Just go to your local detail shop. For $100 they will do the engine, buff your car and do the inside. It will make the engine look brand new. Worth every penny.
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Old 09-12-2002, 08:22 PM   #7
Hoos WRX
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Yeah, similar to Simple Green, you can try Spray9 (available at car parts stores) but it is more potent...

To finish, go mad with Silicone spray. It not puts a great protective coat on hoses, but also lubes the throttle body spring/wire, and puts a nice shine to everything...helps repel water as well.
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Old 09-12-2002, 10:09 PM   #8
hpracingwrx
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i use "gunk" engine cleaner it works really good
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Old 09-13-2002, 12:25 AM   #9
zsurfrin
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I think "gunk" and similiar degreaser are too harsh on the aluminum parts. I'd never thought about using simple green. I always clean the engine after i wash my car with the damp towel i used to dry my car. That way the engine always looks good and its not overwhelming task to detail it, when needed..
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Old 09-13-2002, 11:50 AM   #10
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I work at a detailing shop.... what we do is wet the whole front of the car down, engine and paint. that's to keep the degreaser from staining the paint. then we spray the whole engine down with degreaser (anykind will work). concentrating on really bad spots, and scrub them if possible. then power wash it clean. there's nothing that can be hurt by this. if your worried next time you go shopping get plastic bags and use them to covor up any worry spots. it'll keep that part dry. then once you use the power waher use a reagular hose and rinse everything off, incling the paint around the engine bay. then use a polish spray.... i can think of any off the top of my head but i'm sure you can find one.
it's that simple and if you do that every couple of months the engine will stay nice and clean.
hope that helps.
CHAD
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Old 09-13-2002, 01:23 PM   #11
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what parts would need to be covered before spraying the engine?
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Old 09-13-2002, 02:22 PM   #12
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The only thing I cover when I do mine is the alternator, and I know some folks who don't even do that. I use a small piece of tin foil, since you can form it really good around it. I also use simple green, and make sure I hose everything down (including the paint around the engine) before and after.

Paul
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Old 09-14-2002, 12:49 AM   #13
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Just go easy with the hose, and you should be OK. All engines are made to injest water in the engine comparment, else everything would die when it rains, and you go splashing through puddles.

I would recommend that no one steam clean their engines. I've known quite a few mechanics that spent days, and months trying to figure out all sorts of strange problems with customers cars, only for it to come down to corrided connectors in the engine compartment. Steam cleaning forces moisture into place that splashing water would not get to. Everytime it was in all the wiring connectors, like the fuel injectors, or any mid-wire connectors.
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Old 09-14-2002, 02:02 AM   #14
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Default Is this okay?

If I goto coin wash
Spray the whole engine with degreaser...
Power rinse the whole engine...
Spray the whole engine with water without cover anything...
Its not gonna hurt anything?

Once I start the engine when engine bay is WET, will I be okay?
I mean, risk free?
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Old 09-14-2002, 07:41 AM   #15
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1. cover up alternator (unless you plan on leaving the engine bay open to air dry for a few hours

2. Simple Green - spray liberally on the engine bay

3. hose down

4. repeat

Ed
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Old 09-15-2002, 01:18 AM   #16
ImpreziveWRX
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Thanks Ed
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Old 09-15-2002, 02:10 AM   #17
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One more thing, make sure the engine is cold. You dont want to spray water onto a a hot block. Can potentially crack. I dont have any personal accounts of this but i'ver heard it in a few places. Think of a chilled glass and pur hot water into it. same concept.
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Old 09-15-2002, 04:23 AM   #18
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OK... since you all are talking so highly of simple green I want to get some to try it out. But... where do I get it? Does any random autoparts store carry it? Autozone? Pepboys?

Thank yas
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Old 09-15-2002, 07:33 AM   #19
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You can get simple green at most stores. I got mine at autozone, and I have seen it at Meijer.
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Old 09-15-2002, 02:29 PM   #20
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Cool... thank yas
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Old 09-15-2002, 03:34 PM   #21
Beau
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After you simple green it, try using CD-2 engine detailer. Spray it on everything, then wipe it off with towels. It cleans, shines and protects. I used this on my '91 Mustang and the original hoses (there was only one actually) looked new. I've gotten many compliments on how clean it is.

Beau
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Old 09-15-2002, 06:34 PM   #22
GeoT100
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wd-40......does the trick


after you clean it and dry it add some wd-40
you shiet will shine like a buh!
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Old 09-15-2002, 07:54 PM   #23
EJ22
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WD-40 works great after you have cleaned it, then all the dirt sticks to the WD40,a nd you can easily powerwash it off, and reapply a fresh coat.
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Old 09-16-2002, 01:58 PM   #24
2k2
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A while back I posted lots of pics of my engine cleaned and all.


those pics are gone now but it looked great.

heres the description:

I started by Spraying the engine down with a strong mist type spray on my nozzle. Then I did a more direct hard spray on parts. After that I sprayed some Simple Green all over and let it sit for about 10 mins. After the 10 mins I Hosed that off, then I wiped down some spots with a rag and then I blew all of the water out with a leaf blower. The last thing I did was spray stoners trim shine all over the plastic parts and I took pics right after, thats why it looks SOOO shiny. I already tryed starting it up and it ran fine even though I didnt cover the alternator or the battery at all so no need to worry.


Sometime around thanksgiving I will be cleaning the engine once again taking before and after pics to try and help people who are scared of hurting something that it is fine to put some water on it.

Bryan
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Old 09-16-2002, 03:04 PM   #25
Darby
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2 counts, right?

Default where to get simple green

you can get simple green at most grocery stores and hardware stores as well as autoparts stores...
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