How do they clean engines on dealerships, so it sparkling when you open the hood. Anybody knows? There was a quiet few threads on org, but without clear answer. So, is it something that we can do as a DIY or not?

 

I didnt know they made a rear engine I30. LOL. Just kidding.

Im not sure if there is a better way, but WD40 is a good degreaser. Unfortunately is supposedly just attracts more dirt though. I ve never had any problem with it.

 

use any commercial engine degreaser. hose it off. Let it dry.

for the raw aluminum parts like the intake you can use "MAG Wheel cleaner" to get out stubborn grease/oil spots. by the way never use this on your wheels. its made for raw mag wheels without a clear coat.

then hose it off again and let it dry

Last step for the shine. Get the high gloss Armor All and just cover the entire thing a few coats.

It looks good but the gloss wont last long. Most of the shine at the dealer is just armor all.

 

If you have a cone type aftermarket filter, make sure you cover it with a plastic bag before taking a hose to the engine.

 

I watched them do it at my dealer when I dropped off my I30t, and the boy that cleans them just runs it through their car wash, drives it into the showroom, and sprays the engine down with some foaming agent (probably degreaser) and wipes it down...and wham its so clean. I clean out my engine bay with a wet rag every car wash so I don't have a huge mess that builds up. Doing that will make it a lot easier to keep your engine bay clean, from what I have learned.

 

If everything is stock, is there anything else to look out for in terms of sparying water in the engine bay?

I helped a friend of mine buy a new car, and what they did at the dealership was used a high powereed spray, like you see in the car washes. Would this work for our cars?

I found it odd, thinking if anything would be broken off or rusted after a while.

I also thought some of the degreasers out there you have to be careful not to spray it on anything that is rubber, is this true?

 

if you want to keep your car dont use a commercial pressure washer in the engine compartment unless it has a very focused spray pattern and you know how to use it. Dealers cut corners because they want to get the car off the lot fast and they will not be keeping the car long.

As far as degreasers and rubber... The life expectancy of rubber hoses is pretty low. Maybe 2-3 years tops before you want to replace them. The fuel hoses are treated to withstand fuel so they should be hardy to water too. Best thing to do would be to get a can of GUNK and a very small BBQ brush and just follow the instructions while brushing away all the crud gently.

Do not turn your engine on wet or spray water on a hot engine because your heads might warp and then you have more problems than you want.

This guy in a lexus GS400 sprayed his motor with a hose because he wanted it to cool off fast and that mistake cost him $3200 for 2 new heads and some machine work to make everything fit together again.

Unless you drive a show car or are going to sell it and not drive it anywhere you will not want to detail your motor. Then again... some of you youngsters do pretty silly things. Like the Type R stickers on your maxima. yuck!

 

what about the battery? water plus electricity equal circuit equal shockys

 

I think I'll stick to my wipe down with a wet towel routine, unless there is something anyone can convince me of the need to use degreaser.

I basically take some blue scott paper towels, get them wet and start wipeing, repeat until clean. Oh, using some disposable gloves helps keep the grease off your finger nails.

chucky.