what's the best way to clean engine at home?

 

Spray a cleaner/degreaser on and wait about five minutes then spray it off with your hose(if you have access to a power washer more power to ya).

 

remove your valve cover
buy an assorted pack of sandpaper
start with 220 and work your way up to 1200 or whatever you like
the aluminum really polishes up nicely that way
if you have burrs, use a little more elbow grease
it really does the trick

 

I have had great results with Simple Green. Comes in a spray bottle and is available at car stores and Walmart for about $4.00. Just spray it on, wait about 8 minutes and hose off car using light spray. Doesn't smell bad either.

 

do you have to cover anything before spraying? or just leave the car running?

 

Only thing I would cover would be an air filter that is exposed as on a pop charger, etc. I turn the engine off, spray with Simple Green (it is non toxic and biodegradable), wait 8 minutes and hose off with high pressure light spray and wash off drive way into grass. It doesn't even hurt the grass. I start up car, let it idle for a few minutes (to make sure it is running okay) and go for a ten minute drive. Come back home and wash exterior of car. Trick is to not put a large volume of water on engine! It is really easy and engine looks great.

 

Can someone explain the "spray water" because i get really nervous haering that... only cuz i thought water was bad in ure engine bay! i dont want to cause rusting...

 

got a CAI, so that won't be a problem. thanx for the info

 

I have a brass adjustable nozzle on hose, I adjust it to a high pressure light spray, just before the nozzle would cut off all water.
I do this to minimize amount of water put on engine. I start it up and let it run for 5 minutes to make sure I don't get stuck somewhere on my drying trip. I go for a 10 minute trip during which I get up to 55 mph or so. Between the air flow and engine heat most of the water is gone by the time I get home. The residual engine heat will dry the rest of the water. I personally haven't had any rust issues, if you are concerned about that you can spot dry with paper towels.