Cleaning the engine bay

[SilverZXIII]

Is there anything i can use to clean the engine and engine bay?

[cen]

Greased Lightning makes a product called Hi-Performance Degreaser that I use... works pretty well.

[240ZX34V8]

Greased Lightning is the best over the counter stuff I've used. Make sure the engine is warm and you wet it down before you put degreaser on.

[Lurker]

[YELSLOWFOCUS]

Greased Lightning is the best over the counter stuff I've used. Make sure the engine is warm and you wet it down before you put degreaser on.

I agree

[Oofast focusoO]

foamy enging brite by gunk works good.

[Rodewaryer]

Only got one suggestion that could save you some grief, spend more time cleaning by hand and less trying to spray some miracle stuff (that won't perform the miracle, face it) ALL OVER EVERYTHING. You will damage less components that way. Seen it happen to MANY people, hey, it's just a suggestion....

[dalola]

Yeah, I agree with Rode. Nothing will replace a little elbow grease. For a really show quality detail, you just gotta get in there, and clean everything part by part. Usually, a mild cleaner like Blue Base, or Simple Green, and a bunch of rags works well, followed up by the proper dressing/polish/glaze/etc..

It's a pain in the a$$, but the results will show. Especially when you look close at the details.
~Dave

[svt boost]

what do you all think about covering up electronics/wires with saran wrap?

[Oofast focusoO]

i think that will work. just avoid spraying those areas too. also use a brush to loosen up the caked on materials.naturally, the hand method will get you better results,however, it take some time and elbow grease. if you have the time; do both.

[Honkeytonk Monkey]

Before Foamy Engine Brite:




After Foamy Engine Brite:


As you can see it does wonders

[Oofast focusoO]

nice.. i hope it add a turbo to my car

[nitetimebolher]

ohh man ! It really does work! Where do you get that stuff?Do u just spray it and give it maybe 5 minutes, then the engine will swap itself, or maybe your stockers wheel turn into chrome..

[PhocusZX3]

I use a can of Gunk Foamy Engine Brite and a can of foaming tire clean/shine (with silicone).

First use the Gunk as directed on can. Next spray on the tire dressing everywhere. This will actually help remove any dirt buildup the Gunk missed. Close the hood, then start the car and drive around for a while (usually 30minutes does it). Lastly pop the hood and wipe off any excess crap.

I hadn't cleaned my motor for probably two years before my brother showed me this method. My motor looked brand spankin' new, and I really didn't even get my hands dirty.

[BowDown]

I use a can of Gunk Foamy Engine Brite and a can of foaming tire clean/shine (with silicone).

First use the Gunk as directed on can. Next spray on the tire dressing everywhere. This will actually help remove any dirt buildup the Gunk missed. Close the hood, then start the car and drive around for a while (usually 30minutes does it). Lastly pop the hood and wipe off any excess crap.

I hadn't cleaned my motor for probably two years before my brother showed me this method. My motor looked brand spankin' new, and I really didn't even get my hands dirty.

Hmm... I'll have to try that!

[GapBoyPCS]

I tried GUNK's Engine Cleaner...it STUNK!

I think I got some on the fire blanket stuff and you can still smell hints of it after a month later...ewww!

I agree with everyone here. Elbow grease is the best. Take a nice relaxing morning or afternoon, rags, Simple Green, and a water spray bottle. Go nuts. Also try using some of the detail wipe protectants that makes some of your plastic shine.

[240ZX34V8]

Just use some Simple Green, a couple brushes (tooth brush, carpet brush, wire brush, etc), and some water based vinyl dressing. After you've degreased it, let the engine dry completely and then apply the vinyl dressing. You really don't need to go and cover things unless you want to, I've done thousands of vehicles and never had one problem after cleaning the engine. Once you get it clean the first time, the second time all you have to do is spray on degreaser and hose off.

[PhocusZX3]

Be careful with that Simple Green. Many people have had problems with it etching aluminum surfaces. Try watering it down just to be safe. Many people use a 1:1 ratio of simple green to water. Still cleans all the gunk, but is safe enough for even polished surfaces.

[JFord]

After Foamy Engine Brite:


As you can see it does wonders

All I have to say isand that I'd like to purchase this product ASAP....

[JFord]

Use a steamer (The kind used to straighten clothing usually works fine)and a denture brush with a little bit of the solution of ur choice. Steamer loosen up the grit without damaging your engine bay!

[Matt_Liq_Grey]

What i always been doing to my motor is , with the motor hot and runing, spray down the engine and everything with any type of an all purpose degreaser, shut the hood for about 5 minutes with engine still runing. Pop the hood and rinse , i do this about 2 times then after i rinse it really good i spray an armorall or a tire shine while the engine still is wet. Shut the hood, shut the motor down go inside and in about 1 hour check it out , looks brand new and shines really good ...

[GapBoyPCS]

What i always been doing to my motor is , with the motor hot and runing, spray down the engine and everything with any type of an all purpose degreaser, shut the hood for about 5 minutes with engine still runing. Pop the hood and rinse , i do this about 2 times then after i rinse it really good i spray an armorall or a tire shine while the engine still is wet. Shut the hood, shut the motor down go inside and in about 1 hour check it out , looks brand new and shines really good ...

Define "hot and runing"

Car care sites and folks do not recommend you spray water on a hot engine. Cold water on hot metal makes for rapid contraction/expansion resulting in possible warpage or damage

Besides, a lot of people on here and other sites are anti-Armor All because it tends to dry out the plastic/rubber parts.

[Matt_Liq_Grey]

Define "hot and runing"

Car care sites and folks do not recommend you spray water on a hot engine. Cold water on hot metal makes for rapid contraction/expansion resulting in possible warpage or damage

Besides, a lot of people on here and other sites are anti-Armor All because it tends to dry out the plastic/rubber parts.

I've never had any problem doing it this way,,whats the diffrence if you been driving around and hit a big cold puddle ,,,, water all over the bottom of your engine .. same thing...besides i been doing this for about 10 years now and never had anything warp on me yet ..

[hooi]

I simply used the Armor All Car Wash towels to clean my engine. Just take a sheet and wipe the parts that are dirty. The car wash towels are large so I can do a large part of my engine bay before the towel becomes dirty.

To me, doing it this way is safer because I won't be damaging the wiring in my engine by spraying water and degreaser (gasp! the horror!).

[bluefcs]

Only got one suggestion that could save you some grief, spend more time cleaning by hand and less trying to spray some miracle stuff (that won't perform the miracle, face it) ALL OVER EVERYTHING. You will damage less components that way. Seen it happen to MANY people, hey, it's just a suggestion....

I agree, you should just hand clean it, get a towel wet and clean it, i mean if you take care of your car and clean it often you are never going to need that junk to take off grease buildup, and dont just hose the engine down that wont do much and you take a risk of damaging something. even use a toothbrush and you can get in those tight places, but using a small cloth and a toothbrush prevents water from going where it shouldnt be going.
Kyle