engine cleaning - Focaljet

**claypoolio** · 07-13-2001, 10:23 AM

How can i clean the engine without messing anything up?

------------------
00 Rainforest Green ZX3
Everyone dies,it's what you do when your alive that counts!!

**smd3** · 07-13-2001, 01:24 PM

correct me if I'm wrong, but the Focus doesn't have a distributor.

I spray mine off, and degrease. I just cover up my filter.

steve..

**claypoolio** · 07-13-2001, 02:57 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by smd3:
correct me if I'm wrong, but the Focus doesn't have a distributor.

I spray mine off, and degrease. I just cover up my filter.

steve..<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

whatever the hell that thing is that all the spark plugs go in to.(damn i sound stupid)

**Bobby** · 07-13-2001, 03:16 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by claypoolio:
whatever the hell that thing is that all the spark plugs go in to.(damn i sound stupid)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You have the right idea; the wires go directly to the ignition coil because the PCM does the work that the "distributor" used to.
As Linda said, just spray Simple Green on the engine (it's cheaper and less harsh than degreaser and works just as well). If you have an external aftermarket intake filter, just wrap it in a plastic grocery bag. Try not to hit any of the wires with a direct hit from the hose...sometimes you can knock them off doing that. I wash my engine bay about every other week and I don't cover the coil and it starts fine. If you do manage to get a little moisture under the plug boots, just wipe them off. Don't let the engine run crappy till the heat clears the boots; we could do that on older engines but on this one the CEL has a bad habit of coming on if the coil misfires to much, plus it's hard on the Cat. If you clean it regularly, you won't have to use heavy water pressure and worry about knocking something loose. I generally recommend running the engine for about 10 mintues after a wash job just to drive out water and moisture from all the little places it can collect.
Good luck.

Bobby

------------------
01 Yellow ZX3

**claypoolio** · 07-13-2001, 03:32 PM

thanks Bobby,
that is what i wanted to know. My gf will be back at work soon and will be taking a class on tue. nights hopefully we can G2G at Hooters!

**Bobby** · 07-13-2001, 03:44 PM

,

[ 03-19-2002: Message edited by: Bobby ]

**cje2000** · 07-13-2001, 05:25 PM

HOOTERS?! What, you guys keeping us out of the loop?

------------------
Cayson
Team South Florida
1968 VW Fastback
2000 Twilight Blue ZX3
Mods - K&N drop in filter, Iceman intake, Focus Sport plug wires, removed intake resonator, Progress springs, dome map light and variable wiper conversions, tinted taillights and turn signals, indiglo guage faces, and tinted windows.
1/4 mi.-16.3@83mph

**Y2K ZX3** · 07-14-2001, 12:04 AM

Quite a few months ago....Bobby recommended using Simple Green and it's been used on my engine area ever since...
Just spray it on....and let it do it's thing, and then just wipe off... if it's really dirty, repeat.... maybe scrub and rinse...covering up the wires.... hope this helped.

mom
linda

**claypoolio** · 07-14-2001, 12:20 AM

thanks Mom,
What i was hoping for was a list of things i need to cover up. I know about the distributor ,but what else.

**Bobby** · 07-14-2001, 05:49 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by cje2000:
HOOTERS?! What, you guys keeping us out of the loop?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You'd love it here when the Hooters Girls have their car wash and all the Foci line up for their bath

------------------
01 Yellow ZX3

**claypoolio** · 07-14-2001, 10:41 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Bobby:

You'd love it here when the Hooters Girls have their car wash and all the Foci line up for their bath

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Two words: Hooters everywhere!!

**cje2000** · 07-14-2001, 11:35 AM

Damn! I smell a g2g! You should let us know when the next one is. I know the Hooters on Palm Beach Lakes blvd. over here hasn't had a car wash, wonder why? I may have to suggest that.

------------------
Cayson
Team South Florida
1968 VW Fastback
2000 Twilight Blue ZX3
Mods - K&N drop in filter, Iceman intake, Focus Sport plug wires, removed intake resonator, Progress springs, dome map light and variable wiper conversions, tinted taillights and turn signals, indiglo guage faces, and tinted windows.
1/4 mi.-16.3@83mph

**claypoolio** · 07-14-2001, 01:49 PM

beer,babes,and a clean ride!! life is good

**YellowZX3** · 07-15-2001, 03:02 PM

I also clean my engine w/ simple green (thanks Bobby), but I leave the car running.

I've never knocked a wire off or covered the coil nor has it ever stumbled.
Maybe I've just been lucky so far...

**SoCalFocus** · 03-18-2002, 04:38 PM

I'm resurrecting this topic..
I cleaned my engine this weekend, covered all the stuff mentioned above, and my car is currently at the dealership cause my speedometer cut out, then my odometer, and now my check engine light is on.. could just be a coincedence, but I think I screwed something up. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] It worked fine all yesterday and early this morning after i cleaned it, but when i went out running errands today, things just went bad. I'll keep ya posted on wtf happened.

07-13-2001, 10:23 AM	#1
claypoolio Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ft.Myers,Fl. Posts: 1,143	engine cleaning How can i clean the engine without messing anything up? ------------------ 00 Rainforest Green ZX3 Everyone dies,it's what you do when your alive that counts!!

07-13-2001, 01:24 PM	#2
smd3 TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: LRAFB, AR Posts: 207	Re: engine cleaning correct me if I'm wrong, but the Focus doesn't have a distributor. I spray mine off, and degrease. I just cover up my filter. steve..

07-13-2001, 02:57 PM	#3
claypoolio Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ft.Myers,Fl. Posts: 1,143	Re: engine cleaning <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by smd3: correct me if I'm wrong, but the Focus doesn't have a distributor. I spray mine off, and degrease. I just cover up my filter. steve..<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> whatever the hell that thing is that all the spark plugs go in to.(damn i sound stupid)

07-13-2001, 03:16 PM	#4
Bobby Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 2,610	Re: engine cleaning <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by claypoolio: whatever the hell that thing is that all the spark plugs go in to.(damn i sound stupid) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You have the right idea; the wires go directly to the ignition coil because the PCM does the work that the "distributor" used to. As Linda said, just spray Simple Green on the engine (it's cheaper and less harsh than degreaser and works just as well). If you have an external aftermarket intake filter, just wrap it in a plastic grocery bag. Try not to hit any of the wires with a direct hit from the hose...sometimes you can knock them off doing that. I wash my engine bay about every other week and I don't cover the coil and it starts fine. If you do manage to get a little moisture under the plug boots, just wipe them off. Don't let the engine run crappy till the heat clears the boots; we could do that on older engines but on this one the CEL has a bad habit of coming on if the coil misfires to much, plus it's hard on the Cat. If you clean it regularly, you won't have to use heavy water pressure and worry about knocking something loose. I generally recommend running the engine for about 10 mintues after a wash job just to drive out water and moisture from all the little places it can collect. Good luck. Bobby ------------------ 01 Yellow ZX3

07-13-2001, 03:32 PM	#5
claypoolio Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ft.Myers,Fl. Posts: 1,143	Re: engine cleaning thanks Bobby, that is what i wanted to know. My gf will be back at work soon and will be taking a class on tue. nights hopefully we can G2G at Hooters!

07-13-2001, 03:44 PM	#6
Bobby Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 2,610	Re: engine cleaning , [ 03-19-2002: Message edited by: Bobby ]</p>

07-13-2001, 05:25 PM	#7
cje2000 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Port St. Lucie, Fl, USA Posts: 1,138	Re: engine cleaning HOOTERS?! What, you guys keeping us out of the loop? ------------------ Cayson Team South Florida 1968 VW Fastback 2000 Twilight Blue ZX3 Mods - K&N drop in filter, Iceman intake, Focus Sport plug wires, removed intake resonator, Progress springs, dome map light and variable wiper conversions, tinted taillights and turn signals, indiglo guage faces, and tinted windows. 1/4 mi.-16.3@83mph

07-14-2001, 12:04 AM	#8
Y2K ZX3 I am THE Focaljet MOM! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Monroe,MI >>>Linda aka mom Posts: 5,287	Re: engine cleaning Quite a few months ago....Bobby recommended using Simple Green and it's been used on my engine area ever since... Just spray it on....and let it do it's thing, and then just wipe off... if it's really dirty, repeat.... maybe scrub and rinse...covering up the wires.... hope this helped. mom linda

07-14-2001, 12:20 AM	#9
claypoolio Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ft.Myers,Fl. Posts: 1,143	Re: engine cleaning thanks Mom, What i was hoping for was a list of things i need to cover up. I know about the distributor ,but what else.

07-14-2001, 05:49 AM	#10
Bobby Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 2,610	Re: engine cleaning <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cje2000: HOOTERS?! What, you guys keeping us out of the loop? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You'd love it here when the Hooters Girls have their car wash and all the Foci line up for their bath ------------------ 01 Yellow ZX3

07-14-2001, 10:41 AM	#11
claypoolio Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ft.Myers,Fl. Posts: 1,143	Re: engine cleaning <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bobby: You'd love it here when the Hooters Girls have their car wash and all the Foci line up for their bath <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Two words: Hooters everywhere!!

07-14-2001, 11:35 AM	#12
cje2000 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Port St. Lucie, Fl, USA Posts: 1,138	Re: engine cleaning Damn! I smell a g2g! You should let us know when the next one is. I know the Hooters on Palm Beach Lakes blvd. over here hasn't had a car wash, wonder why? I may have to suggest that. ------------------ Cayson Team South Florida 1968 VW Fastback 2000 Twilight Blue ZX3 Mods - K&N drop in filter, Iceman intake, Focus Sport plug wires, removed intake resonator, Progress springs, dome map light and variable wiper conversions, tinted taillights and turn signals, indiglo guage faces, and tinted windows. 1/4 mi.-16.3@83mph

07-14-2001, 01:49 PM	#13
claypoolio Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ft.Myers,Fl. Posts: 1,143	Re: engine cleaning beer,babes,and a clean ride!! life is good

07-15-2001, 03:02 PM	#14
YellowZX3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Norwalk, CT Posts: 1,905	Re: engine cleaning I also clean my engine w/ simple green (thanks Bobby), but I leave the car running. I've never knocked a wire off or covered the coil nor has it ever stumbled. Maybe I've just been lucky so far...

03-18-2002, 04:38 PM	#15
SoCalFocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,461	Re: engine cleaning I'm resurrecting this topic.. I cleaned my engine this weekend, covered all the stuff mentioned above, and my car is currently at the dealership cause my speedometer cut out, then my odometer, and now my check engine light is on.. could just be a coincedence, but I think I screwed something up. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] It worked fine all yesterday and early this morning after i cleaned it, but when i went out running errands today, things just went bad. I'll keep ya posted on wtf happened.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode