what cant get wet

[MikeSyclone]

ok so i am doing some work in the engine bay, and i think i should clean it up a little while im in there. i read that some people just use a hose or a pressure washer.....do i cover andything up or try not to get some things wet? theres a decent amount of grease/dirt build up. thanks

 

[syclone1100]

Re: what cant get wet

I really dont recommend a pressure washer to clean the engine bay, I made that mistake in my early days of owning my Sy and I had to replace the rotor, coil, plugs, wires, and the distributor... If you do do it cover up with a plastic bag the things that I had to replace....

 

[SonomaGTlover]

Re: what cant get wet

alternator and distributor are the givens... up to you if you want to protect more but I think everything else should be ok, just don't get too crazy witht he pressure.

Me... I soak mine down with engine cleaner. The cheap stuff at WalMart works well and you can afford to get extra cans for a good job. After it sits, I coat it again witht he same stuff and hen spray it off with pressure washer trying not to get too close to things.

 

[turbodig]

Re: what cant get wet

Alt/distributor are biggies, stay away from the ABS if you still have it.

If you can find it, there's a product called oil-flo that's a great degreaser.

http://www.titanlabs.net/oilflo.htm

Spray it on the motor, particularly the dirty spots, let it soak in a while, and go with the pressure washer. Really crusted stuff, brush some of the oil-flo in.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: what cant get wet

Spraying the engine down with water will only get the engine somewhat clean. You will lossed up the grease aera and the water will leave spots & puddles. IMO if you really want a clean engine compartment you need to pull things apart and clean or paint them.

 

[SY2932]

Re: what cant get wet

Spraying the engine down with water will only get the engine somewhat clean. You will lossed up the grease aera and the water will leave spots & puddles. IMO if you really want a clean engine compartment you need to pull things apart and clean or paint them.

Ditto. Quick and easy isn't always the best.

 

[hatrik8]

Re: what cant get wet

If you want a quick clean use degreaser and a hose.

I've sprayed degreaser on the greasy/oily areas and just sprayed it down with a garden hose. I haven't bothered covering anything and haven't had any problems. I just don't spray anything with water that doesn't need it. Like the alternator isn't exactly dirty or the ABS box or anything electrical.

But if you want a detailed clean definitely take stuff apart if you have the time.

 

[turbostar]

Re: what cant get wet

Turbodig,about ten years ago when I had my first Sy, I was part of a SyTY forum that had a poster called Dig. That guy seemed to know everything about our trucks and helped many. Are you that guy? If so would you share with me what you did to your Sy to put it in the 11's ?

 

[TYPHOOL7]

Re: what cant get wet

I recently helped out someone in this porcess. Without taking off more than the air cleaner and the intercooler, we were able to do a real nice job. Take the above mentioned off. Spray the "cool" engine down with degreaser, I seriously only use simple green. I have mentioned this in other threads and have stated that "if I am going to clean my engine its a process, 1 day you apply degreaser, then the next and so on, I do it for about 5 days whens its really bad". Next step is taking it apart and so on, but, this step is important and helps make the job a lot easier. After you have it apart I use on the worst cakes of crap a sponge, then thinner crap I use a regular wash mit, things that are wipeable, obvious a shirt or rag of your choice, for corners and small areas a TOOTHBRUSH, youd be amazed how easily it all wipes off in a sinch. Disconnect the obvious: Pass side, plug wires (I only dc them from the cap), tps sensor, 02 sensor, Pcvs, lines to the air intake; clean those with some foam and a shirt/rag, play nice. Then do the valve covers, intake and so forth. Driver side, disconnect the map sensor, the air intake line begin to scrub your ass off. Since the oil filter is above it gets grimy. Its obvious what to do. After your done, I just use a gardenhose with a nozzle and hit it to rinse it off, excess stuff may just be stuck so a gentle wipe will make it perfect; since you need to dry it anyway, it works out well. Dont spray the alt, and the cap you can but I dont recommend any real pressure, thats about it.
Takes about an hour and a half if you know exactly what you are doing, removes years of crap, its worth it to be safe and do it by hand. I also recommend taking the fenders off, cleaning and respraying them, it is a huge improvement, costs basically nothing to do for how much it actually does. Also even the real problem areas like the fronts of the fenders on both sides of the truck would likely not not even get cleaned if you did use pressure. Other areas like the intake around the injectors and feul rail, theres absolutely no way you can use pressure there, its a bad idea, use a toothbrush and simpG with a foam tip and scrub, then use gentle water, no nozzle to clean wash it off.

Or option B: take it all apart and paint it like new..

 

[nello]

Re: what cant get wet

How do they clean the engine bay at the used car lot? Some kind of steam machine maybe???
I picked up a car recently with over 70k and the engine was spotless, practically brand new.

 

[ed hess]

Re: what cant get wet

IMho this looks riduculous.

detailing business for 25 years.

apply degreaser
pressure or steam clean it.
if it doesnt run right blow out cap, distrubotor or wire connectors with air pressure and get on with it.

nonsense.

Sir just to show you how well this car was taken care of just look. the previous owner never cleaned the motor because he didnt want to damage anything.