MotorCity, I need some more help buddy.

I want to clean the engine bay on the Accord, but I am afraid to just spray water on all the electrical connectors.

What is your process in cleaning an engine?

How do the rest of you guys do it?

Thanks for the help.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/fgf001/Details/clean1.jpg

Here's how I do it but everyone has their own regimen. The only thing I cover is the cone filter but I do take care not to soak the alternator.

1. Wet the engine down with your thumb over the end of the hose or a pressure washer.
2. Spray it down with a degreaser, I prefer Amazing Roll Off cut 50/50 with water.
3. Let it dwell 3-5 minutes but not long enough to dry up
4. Use a parts brush or rags to clean especially greasy areas, this may have to be repeated depending on how gross it is.
5. Hose it down, I use my pressure washer.
6. Start the engine; to make sure it will and to help dry it off. Run 3-5 minutes.
7. Spray it down with Stoner's More Shine, CD2, or similar & let dry.
8. Wipe off excess and clean areas like underside of hood and other painted areas. The ENTIRE compartment needs to be spiffy not just the engine.
9. Drink beer & admire.

i cover up my distributor, since i have had electrical problems with the ICM in the past, not related to cleaning the engine.
i also take my air filter out, since i have a short ram, then i put a bag over the now open intake hose.
then i use a pressure washer with simple green, and low pressure:thmsup:
then i rinse it all down. when i am using the pressure washer, i try to avoid the electrical connections, but they should be fine.
i don't put any type of dressing, or anything on the engine plastics to make them shinny, because most of those products tend to gather dust.
hope this helps.

I do a hybrid of the two above me..

I do what RTF said as well as cover the distributor as steve said and I also cover the starter..

I use either showercaps or plastic bags from the grovery store to cover the sensitive bits

After final rinse I also bust out the leaf blower - helps get alot of water out of the tight spots..

1) cover sensitive bits
2) get hose with no attachment and let water flow using thumb to make squirt
3) spray with an all purpose cleaner ( I DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN)
4) scrub with brush
5) rinse with no attachment on hose using thumg again
6) blow with leaf blower
7) dry remaining water with towel
8) dress engine (stoners or cd2)
9) remove plastic you used for protection
10) enjoy!!

Great, thanks for the help guys....

It is suppose to be another great weekened out in Cali, so I think i'm going to treat the Accord to a wash, clay, wax...

I did the wife's Camry last weekend, and it just looks great..

Hope it turns out well...

Great, thanks for the help guys....

It is suppose to be another great weekened out in Cali, so I think i'm going to treat the Accord to a wash, clay, wax...

I did the wife's Camry last weekend, and it just looks great..

Hope it turns out well...

Have fun man... I may do another wash and wax tomorrow after work, too bad it will only last less than 24hrs... (yes I am sick)

Great, thanks for the help guys....

It is suppose to be another great weekened out in Cali, so I think i'm going to treat the Accord to a wash, clay, wax...

I did the wife's Camry last weekend, and it just looks great..

Hope it turns out well...

i want good whether, my forecast for Friday, and Saturday is 54 degrees, clouds, and lots of rain. just my luck, very nice all week, and raining on my only 2 days off:thumbsdow

Have fun man... I may do another wash and wax tomorrow after work, too bad it will only last less than 24hrs... (yes I am sick)


If you don't mind me asking, what do you usually charge for a wash, clay, & wax??

Does that include inside details?

i want good whether, my forecast for Friday, and Saturday is 54 degrees, clouds, and lots of rain. just my luck, very nice all week, and raining on my only 2 days off:thumbsdow

We had our share of crappy weather for weeks, but I am so happy to see some upper 60's for a change..

I think I may even make it out for a round of golf on Sunday...:banana:

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/fgf001/Details/clean1.jpg

Here's how I do it but everyone has their own regimen. The only thing I cover is the cone filter but I do take care not to soak the alternator.

1. Wet the engine down with your thumb over the end of the hose or a pressure washer.
2. Spray it down with a degreaser, I prefer Amazing Roll Off cut 50/50 with water.
3. Let it dwell 3-5 minutes but not long enough to dry up
4. Use a parts brush or rags to clean especially greasy areas, this may have to be repeated depending on how gross it is.
5. Hose it down, I use my pressure washer.
6. Start the engine; to make sure it will and to help dry it off. Run 3-5 minutes.
7. Spray it down with Stoner's More Shine, CD2, or similar & let dry.
8. Wipe off excess and clean areas like underside of hood and other painted areas. The ENTIRE compartment needs to be spiffy not just the engine.
9. Drink beer & admire.


Oh, BTW how hard was the install on that strut bar???

Not too difficult, maybe an hour. It's a stock part from an 03-04 V6 six speed Accord coupe. The DC Sports sticker and the CARB sticker are for the header which can't be seen.

(on a cool engine, major electronics and air inlet covered in plastic bags)
I would use degreaser first, with most brands that's actually directed on the can because otherwise the solvent won't stick, but regardless it helps to soak.

I wouldn't use a pressure washer, as even though engine bays are designed to resist splashes and so forth, electric connectors won't hold against high pressure water. If you MUST use one, avoid electrical connectors, coils, etc.

After you've rinsed the engine bay free of degreaser, scrub down tough areas (rinse again if you choose to scrub with solvents) keep in mind that simple green is good stuff but it can whiten aluminum

Start the engine and let it idle to evaporate the leftover water.

After the engine has cooled (to where you can stand touching it) detail with something shiny on trim, etc. if you want to go the extra mile

If you don't mind me asking, what do you usually charge for a wash, clay, & wax??

Does that include inside details?

For an accord I usually charge $100... That does not include an interior "detail" but does include a vacuum, wipedown and UV protection added to interior trim.

For an accord I usually charge $100... That does not include an interior "detail" but does include a vacuum, wipedown and UV protection added to interior trim.

Want to come out to Cali. and take care of my Honda??

ditto on the Simple Green-great cleaner but not good for the aluminum. I'll probably use Dawn next time

The only thing that worries me about this particular engine compartment is the alternator.

Is it safe to expose the alternator to water spray? I wash my GM's engine compartment with a hose and simple green, but the alternator isn't under the hood.

Thanks.

I do a hybrid of the two above me..

I do what RTF said as well as cover the distributor as steve said and I also cover the starter..

I use either showercaps or plastic bags from the grovery store to cover the sensitive bits

After final rinse I also bust out the leaf blower - helps get alot of water out of the tight spots..

1) cover sensitive bits
2) get hose with no attachment and let water flow using thumb to make squirt
3) spray with an all purpose cleaner ( I DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN)
4) scrub with brush
5) rinse with no attachment on hose using thumg again
6) blow with leaf blower
7) dry remaining water with towel
8) dress engine (stoners or cd2)
9) remove plastic you used for protection
10) enjoy!!

The only thing that worries me about this particular engine compartment is the alternator.

Is it safe to expose the alternator to water spray? I wash my GM's engine compartment with a hose and simple green, but the alternator isn't under the hood.

Thanks.

I cover the alternator as included in my technical terms (aka sensitive bits)

Want to come out to Cali. and take care of my Honda??

Sounds great to me buddy... I'll actually splitt the flight cost with you since I have fmily is So cal!

Nothing is more rewarding than a clean engine and under the hood area.

I use simple green or castrol purple stuff. I cut the castrol 50/50 or better. Wash and scrub it all down. Rinse and repeat. Get behind the hose's. The hood mat, fire wall, strut towers.

I try not to drown the alt. But honestly. I don't give a rats butt. One Okie thunderstorm being driven thru will put more water under the hood than I ever will with a garden hose or pressure washer.

I dry it out with a quick drive. Them apply megs rubber and vinyl. I don't like the ubber shine under the hood at all. Want it to look like it was just born and cleaned up.

I can't stand to work on a dirty engine. Muchless look at one. It shows me real quick. The owner just doesn't care about there car.

Once done. Kick back and admire with a beverage of choice. Engine bays like to be cleaned. :)

If you get into the habit of cleaning the engine bay it becomes easy as you apply your protectents. They don't get as dirty. Don't hold dirt as well and thus,,, clean up easy.

Just to add what others have said, on 4 value motors like honda's the spark plug wells are area's to try and keep not to much pressure water around them. If after heavy dose and engine not start or sputters, remove spark plug cover and check Wells and dry them if filled with water.

Also FWIW the newer accords and civics have CPU in engine compartment now (moved from cabin ), by battery so be careful with chemicals/degreaser there.

Sounds great to me buddy... I'll actually splitt the flight cost with you since I have fmily is So cal!

How about next time you are out here, i'll cover the costs for you to get up my way, and then whatever you charge me to do the detail??

Sound good?