I'd like to know as well, I went to a DIY coin carwash before and just sprayed the engine 'cleaner' and didn't seem to do any damage, but then again didn't really clean anything.
Of course you can always spend hours Armorall'ing everything...
Yeah, I've read some stuff on line about using a bucket and some simple green an a brush, then a light mister or steam cleaner. I'm just curious who's done it and got a good clean. I want more than wiping the top, I want to get in there all nice and deep like.
Double bags? I have a super hydrophobic prefilter for my CAI but I am still worried. Plus I've heard your engine should be running while you clean it. So really a prefilter is the only option, not sealed bags...
Never popped your hood at a show? I don't think newer cars will suffer performance issues from not cleaning, I just wanna show these Germans what a clean American engine with bells and whistles looks like...
Step 1. Make sure the engine is ice cold before starting.
You want it cool since there is a slight possibility that you can crack the engine block by throwing cold water on it.
Step 2. Cover fuse box, battery, distributor cap, air intake, and I cover the alternator as well. Plastic bags work well
Step 3. I spray the entire bay with simple green and then lightly brush with a soft brush or old rag.
Step 4. Lightly rinse, I hold the hose at an angle off to the side, keeping the nozzle on the lowest setting.
Step 5. Pull off plastic bags a little water might get onto those areas , but just wipe it up, and you'll be fine.
Step 6: Dry the bay with towels or forced air dryer (a leaf lower will work as long as the tube is clean)
At this point you have 2 options leave it alone, or dress it up to your liking! I like to use SprayWay instant shine it looks great, and it doesn't attract dust.
And maybe its just me, but I usually do the engine first when detailing a car, it's not mandatory, but I don't love the job enough to go back and clean the overspray
Good and detailed info, man. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I have a question though. There is a car was in town that has a setting to spray hot water, not boiling, but uncomfortable to the touch, if I use that setting, should I still let my car sit for an hour or so and cool?
My question is this: how is your engine compartment getting dirty to the point that it requires a pressure wash? Is it due to snow and salts put down during the winter months? If this is the case, then it explains why so many garage their ride during the winter months. I live in Florida and drive year round with my Mustang. I have 45K on it, and the engine compartment is clean. I simply use two towels; the first is used to dry the outside of my vehicles after a wash; it's made specifically to dry and minimize scratching the surface, the other I use (wet) to wipe down the engine compartment after every wash. I also use my shop vac with its brush attachment to clean off any loose dust/dirt that settles in the engine compartment. This has worked for me for years, and my engines and compartments have always looked clean.
I'm very weary about spraying water in a late model vehicle these days. Too many connectors and sensitive electronics/sensors that could get water in them and affect their operation.
+1. Siber Expres Told me about this way a year or so ago. Works great. The only thing you have to do is 'low shine' Armorall the rubber hoses and your engine bay will look like new again.
Don't use high pressure water on your engine. Just saying...........
Well, I live in Germany and we have winter about nine months out the year. Also, they don't use salt, the Germans use some chemical **** and it dries a real nasty chalk color. I wash and wax my car at least once or twice a week because of the overspray. And my engine isn't greasy or rusty or anything, just has that chemical stuff all over it.
99ford gave great advice and i made a thread yesterday you can check it out everyone who responded gave good advice on mine and can give you an idea on what products to use because i am in the same boat as you im hesitant to use water
Yeah, I'll just be using the pressure washer without pressing the button so it barely shoots out and keep it at a distance. Everyone who posted tips on this thread, thank you all a while lot. I'll snap some photos at the show and let you guys/gals see how I did. Thanks again everyone. Love this forum and its members.
I work at Lithia Ford and our detail department steam cleans the engines of paying customers. I clean my car's engine once very two weeks for the last 8 months and hasn't had any issues. As far as the CAI is concerned just take off the filter and you're fine.
I've wondered this too and actually went a cash wash place the other day where you hand wash it and one of the options and I was wondering how it worked and if it safe. Mine needs a good cleaning!
Living in Montreal my engine gets soaked with slush and salt that comes up from the bottom of the car on a daily basis from Dec- march. It's part of yearly life up here and there is never a problem. I've been cleaning my wife's and my engines for 15 years every spring and fall with engine cleaner and than hosing it off with a sprayer attached to the hose. Never a problem. Just do it when the engine is not hot.
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