Suggestions for Cleaning engine-bay?

[fordracing82]

does anyone have any idea or suggestions for cleaning my engine? any ideas of a good cleaner/degreaser?? Most of the stuff I've found from auto parts stores isn't too impressive...http://www.midwestmustangassociation.com/vb3/uploads/my_car_8.jpg

that's what i'm working with.... :biggrinsa

[sacstoy02gt]

Being as I was a detailer for a few years, I have used several things with success in the past.

What I like to do is use Gunk (non-foaming) engine degreaser that comes in a can, heat the engine to operating temp, and spray it on.

Let it sit for a good while then hammer it off with a high-pressure washer.

The heat and pressure washer is the trick.

For the underhood aluminum parts, I use an aluminum wheel cleaner. You gotta be careful with the stuff, though, itll ruin a whole lot of important stuff. Use it only on exposed aluminum parts. Itll make them shine like new.

An optional step is to get in there with a brush while the degreaser is working and loosen large deposits or problem areas.

I havent met a car yet that I cant make look like absolute new. GL.

Listen to him; his engine bay is gorgeous. I don't like the thought of using a pressure washer though.

I use the engine degreaser in a can(Gunk I think); spray on; hose off with a regular hose. Works well enough for me.

For tougher stuff, getting in there with an old toothbrush and some degreaser will help with the finer details. Went over mine religiously before the EAA show last year. Wish I would have snapped a pic of it.

[needa50]

green scrubby wotk wonders on the alt, belt tensioner, a/c compressor. Lots of gunk in the car, like C130 said the castrol cleaner works good. Tooth brush and time. Take it to the car wash with the gunk in a can let it soak and then spray off with the low pressure. Good luck

[fordracing82]

Well thanks guys! I'll give a few of those suggestions a try! Hopefully I can finally get this engine bay to shine a little bit! Thanks again!!!

[AFR50]

Go to a detailer, such as Diamond Brite Auto Detailing in Cedarburg, and pay $40 and they will clean it to a "show" quality, then they coat it to prevent it from getting it dirty again.

[AFR50]

Also, if you do it yourself with a hose, there's no guarentee that you wont get water into any sensitive electrical parts ect...... then all of a sudden oops your car wont start. this way if the professinals do it, it will get done right the first time.

[sacstoy02gt]

Also, if you do it yourself with a hose, there's no guarentee that you wont get water into any sensitive electrical parts ect...... then all of a sudden oops your car wont start. this way if the professinals do it, it will get done right the first time.

I clean my engine bay every time I wash the car. Never had a problem with starting or anything electrical. I'd rather trust myself spraying water under the hood than some Joe-Blow.

Quick tip:
As soon as you're done hosing it down start it and let it idle for a while to let the heat from the engine dry everything up.

[fordracing82]

So what are some of the major things I should have covered when I do this besides my distributor?

[fordracing82]

alright, thanks guys! i'm probably going to try both the gunk and castrol...thanks for your advise :biggrinsa

[Fast95Stang]

Quick tip:
As soon as you're done hosing it down start it and let it idle for a while to let the heat from the engine dry everything up.

Another Quick tip:
If your car has A/C you can turn that on and that will kick on the cooling fan and help dry everything.

You shouldn't have to cover anything, I'm a tech at a Ford dealer and when we clean engines we just soak everything with "Mean Green" (some really good soap/ degreaser) then hose down the whole engine bay.

[BP Convt]

If your like me, the only way to detail an old, grimy engine compartment is to pull the engine. Clean and prep everything for paint. If it's not getting paint like aluminum parts, then polish it. All the engine cleaner in the world won't make it look good.