Yeah, I've seen pictures and pictures of clean engine bays... We might have gone over this before, but I haven't seen anything about it yet...

How do you keep it so clean?... Especially when it was dirty to start with? Is there some kind of spray I can use on it? hmmm...

Thanks for reading and replying (in advance).

 

First, use some degreaser on the dirty parts, then hose/lightly power wash it out. Just make sure you take off the intake and not get any water in it, I think I've also heard to not get the alternator wet, correct me if I'm wrong. After that, try using some CD-2 engine detailer. I've used this stuff and it really gets the hoses and pretty much everything in there shiny.

 

greased lightning works wonders.

 

Engine bay detailing really isn't my thing... but I think how people keep them clean is with periodic, regular upkeep. After every drive or so they pop the hood and wipe the whole bay down with an old microfiber cloth or something. Just like dusting your dashboard regularly.

There are coatings you can spray all over the engine, but it depends if you like that look or not. Sometimes people just polish up the polished bits and dress the rubber and plastic parts with protectant.

 

I just used that orange cleaner concentrated shop degreaser stuff... I just let it soak on the engine for a minute or two and then hosed it down, and repeated once more. Made the engine look near new.

 

Like Brad said, I use CD-2 cleaner too. I reccomended this cleaner to him and now I think he's hooked on it! lol But, yes, it makes your engine bling!

 

Where do you get that CD-2?

 

I used a whole bottle of Simple Green on mine. I had 15 years of dirt to get rid of!! Here's before and after.

When I first got her from my dad in 2001-Before:


2003 Finally clean!-After:

 

I tried using simple green also, and it did clean up my engine bay pretty good, but it also took the red color paint off my valve cover.

 

AutoZone or Pep Boys

 

 

Well it didn't take the red paint off of my rocker arm covers, so I don't know why it ate your valve cover paint.

 

I used something called Mean Green. Similar to simple green, but a LOT stronger. I use it at work a lot, and when we spray down engine bays with it, anyone that walks in the room coughs because the stuff burns your throat.

Cleans like crazy, and Ive never had any problems with it making stuff change colors.

Oh and for whoever asked, I've soaked the alternator on every car I have detailed and it hasn't done a thing to them except make em cleaner.

 

so what are you suppose cover

 

cover all electrical stuff. Alternator being the main thing. Also cover the intake if you have a cone filter.

 

here was mine at its cleanest point last summer. i doused the intake manifold and valve cover with carb cleaner and all rubber hoses/plastic parts with simple green or something of the like, then hose off.. i try to do it usually once a year

 

Just pray to god you didn't get a Maxima with some stupid dealer option rust protectant coating in the engine bay!!! I got that crap all over mine, and have procrastinated about cleaning it forever. When I pull my engine soon, I'm going to clean the hell out of my engine bay once and for all!

 

I need to clean the engine and bay and I'm nervous.
Want to take it to the car wash, spray the engine down with Simple Green and carb cleaner and blast it clean. What should be covered? Or should I do it at home and let it air dry? Or get a lot of Q-tips and spend a week?
I've cleaned a lot of Subaru engines by just covering the coil and alternator and car-washing them. No problems. Maxima's have more critical electricals.
How have YOU done it?
Thanks

 

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/0...d200eaff09.htm

If you have a lot of gunk/grease/oil buildup,then use a quality degreaser and a brush.

 

i just use degreaser and let it sit for a couple of minutes and then hose down. then when dry i spray WD-40 to give it the shine and to keep the hoses soft. i do it about every 2 months or so.

 

Haha! Great clip. Guess that answers the question about what can get wet. Everything. Thanks

 

one question has anyone ever messed up anything by washing their engine bays?

 

I'll bump that

 

I just soaked my engine block and heads down with engine degreaser, let it sit about 5 minutes, then pressure washed it.....being careful of ANYTHING that may be damaged by a PRESSURE washer of course.....it came out good, and there was a pile of black build up on the ground at the car wash ;X

i'm just going to replace a bunch of hoses to get those looking good..

 

is there any worry that the liquid will/can seep into undesired areas? In other words, I've heard people say to wach engine with the engine running, so that the heat from the engine can at least evaporate off or "burn" any liquid that could affect the engine.

Since the engine is running, if liquid would get in, the engine would stutter or whatever, but at least it could recover at some extent.

Hmm... dunno if i made that more confusing or not...
In SHORT! engine On or Off?

 

Just have a warm engine, then shut it off as Wayne did in his video. Notice it smoking a little after he sprayed it with the hose.

 

Do not wash the engine while it's running...ever.

 

why?
I'm guessing electrical shorts or something?

 

ha ha yeah greeny, that was funny. I lol'ed right when the blower came on ahahahah

Be careful with using the green stuff and purple power... it will make aluminum corrode if you let it sit for a while, or let it dry on it.


P.S.
I gotta try that leaf blower

 

When your engine is running,the alternator/sensors/other electrically controlled parts are energized...add water to the mix and you have BBzzzzzed!!! soup..

Think of it kinda like putting a plugged in and running hair dryer in a bathtub full of water..

 

Thanks alot i think im going to clean my engine next week

 

and instead of a leaf blower, you could always use a shop vacuum/blower. Harbor Freight has one on sale for $35 (not sure if price is same everywhere).

Not only would you be able to air dry the engine bay, you can vacuum whatever, and prolly the neighbors won't laugh as hard/long.

 

no risk of water trails shorting battery when you spray it, even when it's off?

 

I once had trouble and it was caused by lack or dielectric grease on my sparkplug boot. My car was misfiring like crazy after washing the engine. I hooked up the blower on the air compressor and went plug by plug and once everything was dried, car ran great again.

 

Yep, I had the EXACT same problem. The car ran VERY rough for like 2 days after washing. Turns out water was in the spark plug hole, and my dielectric grease had burned/dried away...which happens over time. It kinda looks like popcorn after it happens. Anyways, I replaced the dielectric grease on the plugs and dried out the spark plug holes and it ran good as new.

 

so THAT'S what's inside my accel wires!!!

j/k!

 

lol, was there still some in there? Yeah it's harmless stuff. I'm hoping you put some new stuff in there right???

 

mmm popcorn....

 

Well this thread inspired me to clean the engine, so i did it in the rain... I used an entire and of engine bright and here are some pics:





still a lil dirty but better than it used to be

Random pic of my sanded intake:

 

very clean
EDIT: I think you ment to say "CAN" not "AND"