[ashleybritt586]

I live in a very dusty area and all kinds of dirt and guck is building up around my engine...How can I clean it off safely?

 

[SatinSilver]

Here's a writeup on a detail that includes cleaning the engine.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?p=830522#post830522

 

[GoLowDrew]

I'll assume you are not doing this for a show or to show off to the boys.

I'll assume you don't want to spend no $$ either.

1. Drive car out of garage into the driveway. So the engine is a bit warm, but nothing is hot.

2. Cut walmart plastic bags up into big sheets. Get some tape.

3. Cover the battery area up with the plastic bag, and tap up the ends.

4. Tape up the distributer area.

5. Wet engine.

6. Mix dish soap or simple green if you have. And spray on.

7. Use a old toothbrush on what you can reach, in necessary.

8. Rinse.

I generally don't like to clean the engine too often because one time on my past car, the belt started to squeak. And I could not get rid of it. I guess I must have rinse off whatever grease that was there.

 

[RTexasF]

You REALLY need to watch what you are doing when using regular Simple Green. From their website:

Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green® on aluminum?
When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green® Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series™ Simple Green® Automotive Cleaner have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green® product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.

 

[RTexasF]

I do it this way:

With a pressure washer wet down the entire engine bay with quick sweeping motions not high pressure. I've never covered anything except an open cone filter like those on a short ram intake. Put a plastic bag over it & secured with rubber bands.

Spray a 50/50 mix of Amazing Roll Off and water from a trigger sprayer keeping everything wet, don't allow it to dry. Let it dwell for 10 minutes constantly spraying the area down with the mixture.

If greasy agitate those areas with various brushes. Spray more of the mixtue on everything.

Using pressure washer blast everything off with quick sweeping motions not concentrating the spray. Do it again, be thorough.

Crank up the engine and turn on the A/C to generate heat under the hood. Let it run with the hood closed for 10-15 minutes.

Shut it off and wipe off excess water. Use a spray on dressing like Stoner's More Shine if desired for dress up.

I've used this process for 40 years (with various products over time) and only had two no-starts, both had distributors. Removed cap, sprayed inside of distributor cap with WD40, replaced cap, started engine, drove off.

About 30 minutes or so and you're done.

 

[Blazerdude20]

if you use simple green try to get the blue version. it is designed with mechanical parts in mind. other wise a mild detergent works just fine.

like GoLowDrew said cover the distributor. and scrub the parts you can see. (a wheel brush would be quicker than a tooth brush). use a pressure washer to clean the bay. don't get to close to the engine or the noise mat on the bottom of the hood.

give it a good dose of shiny stuff and enjoy the "new" engine. :thumbsup:

 

[andres0603]

I have been concerned about this also
do you have to cover the alternator with a plastic bag ?

 

[Deity]

What about your alternator, don't need to cover that up?

 

[Deity]

What would be the negative consequences of using a degreaser in your engine bay?

 

[Blazerdude20]

What would be the negative consequences of using a degreaser in your engine bay?

they can dry out the plastics and rubber in the engine bay, turning them white or brown. not an issue if your are putting a shine on everything.

its more just precaution, to strong of a chemical and it could damage sensitive rubbers or wires. not likely but it has happened.


also i've never covered the alternator. never been an issue for me but it couldn't hurt to put a bag over it.

 

[andres0603]

I just did mine on the afternoon ;

1) The only thing I covered with a plastic bags was the electrical connections including grounds etc...

2) Washed the entire bay with lots of pressure on solid parts and low pressure on parts with electrical connections.

3) Did not cover the alternator

4) I used a brush with detergent soap, and brushed every part on the engine bay

5) Rinsed the entire engine again

6) Dried every visible wet spot and dressing with turtle wax silicon spray

I hope this helps, I drove the car right away without any problems :cig:

 

[GoLowDrew]

What would be the negative consequences of using a degreaser in your engine bay?

I generally don't like to clean the engine too often because one time on my past car, the belt started to squeak. And I could not get rid of it. I guess I must have rinse off whatever grease that was there.

That's the only thing I noticed (on one car).

 

[Deity]

Hmm where are the electrical grounds located?