4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Cleaning Engine Bay While Engine is Out

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-13-2019, 04:47 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Violator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 675
Cleaning Engine Bay While Engine is Out

Long story short I got my hotshot headers back after waiting since October and it's time to get this 2k14 engine 2k3 ECU swap finished. I got a few small odds and ends on their way and I wanna start getting everything prepped and ready to go.

Maybe some of you showroom neat freaks can give me some tips on how to prep this ugly engine bay to actually be able to show off my swap. It's in the garage and it's winter in Ohio so not sure the dawn soap and hose rinsing would be the go to, maybe I'm just over thinking it


Last edited by Violator; 01-13-2019 at 04:53 PM.
Violator is offline  
Old 01-13-2019, 07:54 PM
  #2  
JvG
Senior Member
 
JvG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 2,979
I've found that kerosene/ dawn mixture works great, and is water soluable.

1 part dawn per 9 parts kerosene.
JvG is offline  
Old 01-13-2019, 08:05 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
reallywildstuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Planet Houston
Posts: 615
Originally Posted by JvG
I've found that kerosene/ dawn mixture works great, and is water soluable.

1 part dawn per 9 parts kerosene.
I'd definitely listen to this guy.

I do Simple Green sprayed on full, then scrub and rinse with water. Then soap and water until clean. All of this is out of spray bottles (not a hose). I use choke cleaner on engine and trans cases followed by the same Simple Green / Soap and Water application.
reallywildstuff is offline  
Old 01-14-2019, 05:02 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Turbobink's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 2,663
As a 29.5 year veteran with the USEPA, I implore you not to wash kerosene down your driveway and into your local storm water system.

That being said, I have found that this combination works very well:





Turbobink is offline  
Old 01-14-2019, 09:45 AM
  #5  
JvG
Senior Member
 
JvG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 2,979
Turbobink,

I used the kerosene Dawn mix to clean the outside of the engine of my Corolla when I rebuilt it.
I did that in a closed garage in winter.

I washed it down into a holding pan with a sponge. The amount of fluid was less than a gallon.

Then I poured it into a jug and took that to my local EPA approved, City managed waste disposal center.

My mix is pretty much identical or simlilar to Engine Brite. Just at a much lower cost.
JvG is offline  
Old 01-14-2019, 09:50 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Turbobink's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 2,663
Originally Posted by JvG
Turbobink,

I used the kerosene Dawn mix to clean the outside of the engine of my Corolla when I rebuilt it.
I did that in a closed garage in winter.

I washed it down into a holding pan with a sponge. The amount of fluid was less than a gallon.

Then I poured it into a jug and took that to my local EPA approved, City managed waste disposal center.

My mix is pretty much identical or simlilar to Engine Brite. Just at a much lower cost.
I've said before and I'll say it again ... You're the man!
Turbobink is offline  
Old 01-16-2019, 07:02 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
max ride 41's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: in my max, pa. :p
Posts: 6,804
i know my engine bay is clean because i randomly clean it up at least twice a year. even though it's been sitting for a few months, i still have popped the hood and wiped it down because i hate a dirty engine bay/engine.
max ride 41 is offline  
Old 01-16-2019, 09:21 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
KP11520's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Long Island
Posts: 1,569
This stuff is amazingly strong even when diluted! AND (for Tb) It's biodegradable. However, do not even think about not using gloves. It will remove every drop of oil from your skin and they will crack painfully after a little while of use.

The key is some sort of friction with any cleaner or higher pressure water force, or some dirt/oil residue will remain.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simple-G...3421/100550784

Or, you could buy brake (dust) cleaner and use a rag and gloves, but that will be expensive.

Happy Cleaning!

Last edited by KP11520; 01-16-2019 at 09:27 AM.
KP11520 is offline  
Old 01-16-2019, 09:48 AM
  #9  
Newbie - Just Registered
iTrader: (11)
 
Slamrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,171
I was actually going to link this thread and it turns out the actual author himself beats me to it... awkward...

shiny 4th gen engine bay with an HR swap in it is definitely something i wanna see though lol, looking forward to the results.
Slamrod is offline  
Old 01-16-2019, 11:15 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Violator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 675
I'm trying to avoid a hose it being below freezing everyday and the car is inside the garage. I think I'll go with a spray bottle of water and simple green with a rag to do the friction work
Violator is offline  
Old 01-17-2019, 01:22 PM
  #11  
Father of the 00 VI
iTrader: (15)
 
krismax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: amsterdam ,new york
Posts: 3,330
Best cleaner i have ever used is POR 15 marine clean. Works great for carpet and headliners.gets anything out. Cuts grease like crazy. I have tried everything. Makes dawn look like junk.

I dilute it 50/50. Took my headliner out that was in the car fire. And it got it clean like new.

Just a warning don't put it on finished aluminum and finished plastic. it will etch it.
krismax is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
white97gxe
Detailing
28
05-05-2005 05:35 PM
KNYFE
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
8
04-23-2005 09:52 AM
90MAXGMG
Detailing
10
03-14-2005 06:07 PM
95greense
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
9
07-02-2002 09:04 AM
lcali1
General Maxima Discussion
1
05-21-2001 05:09 PM



Quick Reply: Cleaning Engine Bay While Engine is Out



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:30 AM.