Washing engine compartment.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Washing engine compartment.
Hey guys ,
Just wanted to know if there is anything I should take into consideration , or any parts under the hood I should avoid when washing the engine compartment? I will be doing this at home with a cool engine of course , with the low press. garden hose , can anyone recommend a good cleaner/degreaser for this job? any suggestions ? Thanks.
Just wanted to know if there is anything I should take into consideration , or any parts under the hood I should avoid when washing the engine compartment? I will be doing this at home with a cool engine of course , with the low press. garden hose , can anyone recommend a good cleaner/degreaser for this job? any suggestions ? Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
Well, you ideally would not directly blast any sensors or the injectors with high pressure water which doesn't seem to be the case here. I like gunk on the engine/tranny and chassis area under the engine and 409 or simple greenie on the inner fender skirts and plastic componenets on them. Use gunk on these areas if they have grease accumulation. Don't get any of this stuff on the paint; if you do remove the cleaners promptly. Best to not to this in direct sunlight since if you do the chance of spoting paint when cleaner hits it seems to increase. If you have any aluminum componenets under the hood, those can be cleaned with aluminum wheel cleaner. Drying the plastic componenets, rubber hoses, etc with a towel followed by running the engine to heat and drive off the remaining water and you're done.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Yep they all just rinse off with water.
I'm also a fan of the spray Simple Green, but I let it sit. I also don't water it down like it says to...that's just me though. Probably not a brilliant idea, but it works for me.
I'm also a fan of the spray Simple Green, but I let it sit. I also don't water it down like it says to...that's just me though. Probably not a brilliant idea, but it works for me.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
I'd also stay awy from the alternator, power distribution box, brake & clutch fluid reservoirs.
I've used a garden hose, degreaser, with an old paint brush for greasy spots in the past, but with it hooked up to HOT water. Helps it cut the grease & dry off faster.
As I now don't let my engines get more than a little dusty, I can use a garden sprayer, Blue Coral Car Wash, filled with distilled water,(air condioner condensate) so it doesn't spot up when it dries. So all I have to do is rinse the dust off, once a year!!!!
I also like to dry out/blow out, the spark plug wells, after I'm finished, rather than let them slowly dry, or cook off, by running the engine, maybe it helps limit rust there, but then thats just me.
Be careful using degreasing chemicals, like "Fantastic" or their like, as these kinds of cleaners are "stress crack promoters" for many plastics & composit materials. As most molded plastic & composit parts aren't annealed after molding, so they have a lot of built in stress & even more if they have fastner attached, so they'll easily crack when hit with the wrong stuff!!!!
I've used a garden hose, degreaser, with an old paint brush for greasy spots in the past, but with it hooked up to HOT water. Helps it cut the grease & dry off faster.
As I now don't let my engines get more than a little dusty, I can use a garden sprayer, Blue Coral Car Wash, filled with distilled water,(air condioner condensate) so it doesn't spot up when it dries. So all I have to do is rinse the dust off, once a year!!!!
I also like to dry out/blow out, the spark plug wells, after I'm finished, rather than let them slowly dry, or cook off, by running the engine, maybe it helps limit rust there, but then thats just me.
Be careful using degreasing chemicals, like "Fantastic" or their like, as these kinds of cleaners are "stress crack promoters" for many plastics & composit materials. As most molded plastic & composit parts aren't annealed after molding, so they have a lot of built in stress & even more if they have fastner attached, so they'll easily crack when hit with the wrong stuff!!!!
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: sylmar, ca
I like Smart and Final Cleaner Degreaser for topside of engine. It works as good as Simple Green and costs 1/2 the price. It also doesn't leave that annoying smell. I've never had any problems as long as I do the cleaning with a stone cold engine. Also I put dielectric grease in all of the spark plug wire boots..(on both ends). If you grease your wire boots though, remember to burp each boot after connecting it to the plug or distributor cap. You can burp the boot by squeezing it and at the same time pushing it to one side. I can actually hear the air release when I do this. The first time I forgot to burp the boots two of them popped off after the engine warmed up. The grease in the boot makes a tight seal and the air inside expands and pops the boot off.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dragracer_Rob
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Apr 15, 2009 09:11 PM
Twin Tritons
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
19
Jul 10, 2004 01:00 AM
