How to clean your engine?
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 3
From: Marion, Arkansas
I've been using bleach white for along time on my engine, Never use this stuff while the engine is hot. I wash everything under the hood and I do hit the coils with water but I also air dry the entire engine bay when I get done, I haven't had any problems either
Meaner than Ymeski
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 23,811
Likes: 828
after i clean mine... i spray the whole engine bay with tire foam....the kind were you dont have to spray it off..... leave all the black platic looking perfect...
i just sold my 95 camaro had 170k miles and ... the main reason why the guy bought it was becouse the engine bay look superb... all that plastic everywhere it looked brand new ...haha
i just sold my 95 camaro had 170k miles and ... the main reason why the guy bought it was becouse the engine bay look superb... all that plastic everywhere it looked brand new ...haha
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
Likes: 486
From: Lake Mary Florida
When I wash my engine I use simple green and a nylon brush.
I have some baggies that I have made into protective coverings for my COPs and to cover the alternator. I also cover the battery. I pressure wash the plastic after soaking it with simple green and LIGHTLY hit the block. The less water you use the better.
After im done I take armour all and give the plastic a nice coat.
Be EXTREMELY careful about the solvent you use. The first time I did it I took off paint from my engine bay.. Thats why I now use simple green.
I have some baggies that I have made into protective coverings for my COPs and to cover the alternator. I also cover the battery. I pressure wash the plastic after soaking it with simple green and LIGHTLY hit the block. The less water you use the better.
After im done I take armour all and give the plastic a nice coat.
Be EXTREMELY careful about the solvent you use. The first time I did it I took off paint from my engine bay.. Thats why I now use simple green.
I would at the very least cover, tape, and avoid direct pressure washer contact on any electrical connector/component.
I personally use a bottle of simple green or 409, a roll or 3 of paper towels, and paint brushes to detail the hard to get at spots.
in the back of your owners manual it explains how to wash it and what not to get wet. it also says DO NOT wash it while the engine is running, whether its running or just hot, its still bad to spray cold water on hot parts. i always wash mine while the engine is cool and i dont use a pressure washer. just simple green, a brush and the garden hose gets mine nice and clean. if you want to dress it up a little spray some tire shine on a rag and wipe your plastic parts down, makes it nice and black and keeps mud from sticking to the parts.
heres a pic of my rangers engine bay all cleaned up, dont have any of my F-150
edit: heres a quote from a thread i posted in asking about washing your engine.
heres a pic of my rangers engine bay all cleaned up, dont have any of my F-150
edit: heres a quote from a thread i posted in asking about washing your engine.
i am quoting this directly from my owners manual in reference to engine washing. it can be found on page 243
"engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. when washing:
- take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. the high pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
- do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block of other engine components.
- spray motorcraft engine shampoo and degreaser on all parts that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
-cover highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning the engine ( only parts highlighted are the battery and intake)
- never wash or rinse engine while it is running, water in running engine may cause internal damage"
"engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. when washing:
- take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. the high pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
- do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block of other engine components.
- spray motorcraft engine shampoo and degreaser on all parts that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
-cover highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning the engine ( only parts highlighted are the battery and intake)
- never wash or rinse engine while it is running, water in running engine may cause internal damage"
Last edited by kozal01; Sep 15, 2010 at 10:35 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 313
Likes: 8
From: dirty ga
when yall use cleaning supplies, do you just layer the whole engine or do parts individually, also do you wash it off with a hose or use a towel to wipe it up. i usually just run a hose and my thumb raising some pressure. heard way too many horror stories about pressure washers