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* Is it Safe to clean the engine compartment? *

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Old 03-20-2004, 09:38 PM
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* Is it Safe to clean the engine compartment? *

Ok, to be honest, my Maxima has 183,485 miles (approx.) on it and it stil runs like a charm. The only thing is that the engine compartment is pretty dirty. Thus my Hi-flow gets dirty faster. Well maybe. Well it looks like shat, dirty. So I need to clean it.
Now I know dealers powerwash and Armorall everything plastic, but I am a little skiddish about poping the hood and pumping in the quarters.


What is safe to wash?
What do I need to protect? --Intake obviously.
Do those 2-stage kits at Advanced or AutoZone work?

Thanks
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Old 03-20-2004, 09:54 PM
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jjst do nto use a reg hose......it lets water sit in there and rust **** out.
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Old 03-20-2004, 10:01 PM
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DO NOT POWERWASH YOUR ENGINE .....

seriously, it always screws everything up.
go on twinturbo.net and search for powerwash, and you'll find hundreds of posts of people saying, "I power washed my engine today, and now it won't start..." etc. Just take some simple green and some elbow grease, much safer
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Old 03-20-2004, 10:44 PM
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I always powerwash my engine, and never had any single problems. I also used to work at a detail shop and powerwashed about 10-15 engines a day and never had any problems.
Just but a bad over your filter and you should be ok
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Old 03-20-2004, 11:14 PM
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i planned on cleaning mine with simple green, but I'm scared of rinsing it off with water. what about all the electrical connects under the hood? will they be okay.
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Old 03-21-2004, 06:14 AM
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Good question, im wondering the same thing.
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Old 03-21-2004, 07:43 AM
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I've done it once, I'll usally do it once in a blue mooon, just try to keep it clean afterwards at least once a week and you shouldn't have to wash it down every other month
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Old 03-21-2004, 08:01 AM
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go to ur local autoshop and buy one of those "engine bay cleaner spray" stuff for like $4, spray and pray away...

after that you can spray paint ur engine components like me (w00t for ricer style)...actually i did a "y2k AE cylinder convertion"



good ol days with CAI.
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Old 03-21-2004, 10:06 AM
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http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=69

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=261825
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=259510
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=275421
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Old 03-21-2004, 10:23 AM
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I used some simple degreaser and a hose with low pressure. Just don't soak any electrical stuff for to long and u should not have a problem. Also start it up when it gets almost dry so everything will dry out.
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Old 03-21-2004, 10:50 AM
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Just cover the electrical components with a bag. IElastic bag from supermarket. Alternator,Fusebox and thats about it, for other cars with a distributor you cover that up. Basically that will keep the major components dry.
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Old 03-21-2004, 11:47 AM
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I did this on with no problems, when I had my JWT I would cover that with a plastic garbage bag. Now with the stock one no need to cover . On my 92 Max I would cover the distibutor cap. I go to the carwash and used their engince degreaser that comes out of the hose, be careful with the paint thoug.

DO NOT use the orange cleaner stuff that has the supposed armor all look to it(does not look even close to being armor alled). My friend's truck and my car smelled for two weeks after that.
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