I was wondering what most people use to clean their engine and engine bay? I've been using GM Engine Shampoo but it seems to be a little corrosive. I've noticed this on the engine parts and it seems to fade the paint as well...but is sure does smell nice!!! What are some good alternatives? I've heard Simple Green is good, but have never actually tried it! And ideas?

 

Simple Green works good. That's what I use.

 

soapy water left in my bucket after washing

 

409 works awesome.

 

Make sure the simple green is diluted with water however...

 

Why?

 

Check your local car wash. See if they have ENGINE DEGREASER. Its similar to simple green and even the same color. After getting it all soaked down with it, then just high pressuerit off. It a dollar well spent, and can even clean down in the places that you cant get to buy hand.

 

using a preasure sprayer under the hood of these cars seems like a very bad Idea to me. just my 2 cents

 

I would never do this method. Not with a motor that has an opti at least, but I probably would with most cars that dont have opti-sparks however.

 

simple green is much stronger than needed, and will only strip color from paint, valve covers, etc... it really doesn't hurt it so much unless you are scrubbing, if you spray it on and rinse it off, there aren't any problems

 

A 12hp power washer. You may have to put a few connectors back on, and a plug wire or two. Be sure to spray the opti down real good becuase dirt builts up alot around there.

Just kidding... I use Laquer Thinner and brake kleen. Be careful becuase if you use too much it can damage your paint.

 

I don't think Simple green has anything strong enough in it to remove paint. I've been using it for years and never had a problem with fading paint. That's not to say it won't... I've just never had a problem with it.

I ordered one of those "Shark" steam cleaners the other day to use around the house. I think I'm gonna test it out in my engine bay. I bet that will work nice.

 

what do you guys do about the opti? do you somehow cover it or do you spray right over it? i thought goin over a puddle could be bad with optis, didnt consider being able to spray them down..

 

Don't get a hose nowhere near the engine bay...and especially away from the opti. I'd spray a rag with whatever kind of cleaner you decide to use, then wipe the surfaces off with that.

 

Try spraying Rust Eater on your entire engine bay. I used it the other day and it worked really good and i didnt even have to spray it off. It is an oil based spray that leaves a gleam on it and turns everything to its original color.