Just thought I would post here as well.

I am getting ready to wash/clean/wax my LS1 engine bay. I have a good car to work with. It is black though, and I fear I am going to have to paint some of it.

Just wondered what some of you used in here to clean those hard to get to spots. I want to wash it off w/ the water hose, but I need to spray something in the intake/fuel rail area to get that clingy dirt.

Just wanted to get as much advice as possible.

Thanks!

 

I've cleaned my engine bay by hand.

I used a mixture of water and 'Simple Green', in a spray bottle, and sprayed everything down, cleaned, and wiped down again with water. On some of the painted areas, I followed up with some wax.

Hope that is of some help.

 

Thanks for the tip I couldn't find Simple Green so I used some Orange Blast!

Worked great Looks so much better in there! It really does just wash away! I hope it doesn't collect much dirt just riding down the road!

 

As for the bay getting dirty from driving, I just follow up with a damp rag, with some Simple Green, or Orange Blast and that does the trick

I've used both, and they worked fine.

 

I heard Simple Green works wonders, but wondering what sensitive areas should I avoid spraying? I'm assuming the PCM, but any other areas to be careful around? Are the O2 and AIR sensors "water proof". Any issue spraying around the battery...besides give you a nice jolt?

 

I just put a plastic grocery bag over the PCM, and tucked a few under the lid area to keep the air filter from getting wet. I didn't cover anything else. And it worked out fine. No jolts,

I was VERY impressed w/ the Orange Blast. I like it best b/c it leaves a natural shine to the hoses and rubber instead of dulling them out like Greased Lightening, Simple Green, ect. Those 2 are good cleaners, but a little harsh on the rubber and alum. The Orange Blast is made by Greased Lightening, and it is AWESOME!

 

I used some grime remover once (stuff came in a purple spray bottle) and it messed up all my aluminum parts under the hood. I never diluted it or anything because I didn't know if I had to. No I just wash everything with regular car wash solution and use a sponge.

 

My wife bot a small steam cleaner for the kitchen that I found works great with citrus based cleaners. It shoots out a small, thin stream of steam that's perfect for working in the engine bay. The steam goes where you point it. Spray on a little citrus cleaner then steam the crud away. I believe she either got it on QVC or Linens and Things.

 

Take a bottle of simple green.
Find a scrub brush
Go to your local spray-stall car wash.

Spray simple green everywhere. Use the scrub brush to clean under the hood, top of plastics, and places where grime has accumulated.

Next, insert the quarters for the pressure washer, and go to town. I usually put it on "High pressure soap" and use that for extra cleaning action, and then a few minutes later, turn it to rinse and spray everything down again.

If you're going for that show car look, dry it off really well, and spray armor-all (antistatic kind), and use an air hose to spread it around, spray it out of crevases, etc.

 

From what I have read and understand, it is not a good idea to spray your engine down when it is hot. I heard it can cause problems, and possibly crack the heads, ect.

I wouldn't want to spray a hot engine down w/ cold water anyway. I think it is best to do it when cool.

BTW, when I washed mine down, I did NOT use a pressure washer. I think that is too much. I used ORANGE BLAST by Greased Lightening, and sprayed it off w/ an adj. nozzle water hose, w/ the shower selection.

The Orange Blast has orange oils, that leave a natural shine on the hoses and plastics, instead of other chemicals that weaken and dry out your plastics.

Anyway, just thought I would throw that in

 

A pressure washer is not too "harsh" on the engine...It's what professional detailers use.

Second...Spraying an engine with cold water is not a great idea, so that's why it's best to use a warm/hot water temperature with the pressure washer.

Orange oils--not sure how they work, exactly, but anything oily (Armor-All included) will attract dirt. It's best to use an anti-static sort of dressing. As far as drying out and cracking plastics--there's not much that can be said. Driving the car normally will dry out and crack the plastics, as they age with time and variance in temperature. We only live so long, so does it matter if the plastics are cracking 50 years from now? I don't even plan on owning my car for more than 5 years

 

What I meant by Orange oils, was that they are added in the cleaner naturally. They do not attract dust It just leaves the hoses and rubber looking normal, instead of leaving them w/ that
dried out look. Armoral and other oily, greasy stuff is used sparingly at shows.

As far as 50 years from now, I don't know, lol But, I plan on keeping my f-bodies, they will not be for sale-ever

 

when i clean my engine bay i hose it off (while engine is off and cool) and then i spray degreaser all over the gine bay then i hose it off agin then i spray plastic cleaner all over the engine bay and bam it looks clena and new as the day it was made.

 

What brand of plastic cleaner do you use ?? where did you buy it. i was thinking of just using the gunk engine degreaser that they sell at the auto stores

i need to do it soon, maybe this week