Z Drivers
I wanted to reach out and ask what is the best way to clean your engine Bay? specifically concerned with the electronics computers ect.
Appreciate the help
Best way to clean engine Bay
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1993zcandy
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:08 pm
- Car: 1993 300ZX n/a
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evildky
- Posts: 14225
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
- Car: 71 Datsun 240ZT
87 Nissan 300ZX N/A-T
06 Nissan 350Z GT
Toyota Tundra TRD RW - Location: Louisville, KY
- Contact:
Re: Best way to clean engine Bay
Here is what I do, plenty of variations on your preferences and tools at hand.
Start with a dry warm engine bay and an assortment of scrub brushes and a shop vac. Scrub all the surfaces you can wiht brushes while vacuuming up any loosened debris. Next spray everything down with your choice of degreaser, there are engine specific products, I usually use purple power or similar, again brush everything you can to loosen up any stuck gunk. next comes the pressure washer, this requires a bit more finesse than a hose, if you only have a hose you can be more liberal as you spray, I try to focus the stream on the sheetmetal of the engine bay and or any dirty areas, wiht the pressure washer you must not get too close on things like bents, hoses and electrical connectors, there are plenty of hard surfaces to focus the stream on and plenty of overspray to rinse those more delicate areas.once dry, liberally spray any hoses or hard plastic bits with your choice of vinyl and rubber protectant spray, let it soak for at least an hour, overnite is better.
Start with a dry warm engine bay and an assortment of scrub brushes and a shop vac. Scrub all the surfaces you can wiht brushes while vacuuming up any loosened debris. Next spray everything down with your choice of degreaser, there are engine specific products, I usually use purple power or similar, again brush everything you can to loosen up any stuck gunk. next comes the pressure washer, this requires a bit more finesse than a hose, if you only have a hose you can be more liberal as you spray, I try to focus the stream on the sheetmetal of the engine bay and or any dirty areas, wiht the pressure washer you must not get too close on things like bents, hoses and electrical connectors, there are plenty of hard surfaces to focus the stream on and plenty of overspray to rinse those more delicate areas.once dry, liberally spray any hoses or hard plastic bits with your choice of vinyl and rubber protectant spray, let it soak for at least an hour, overnite is better.
Re: Best way to clean engine Bay
Agree with evildky. Also don't forget to unplug/remove your battery. 
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evildky
- Posts: 14225
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
- Car: 71 Datsun 240ZT
87 Nissan 300ZX N/A-T
06 Nissan 350Z GT
Toyota Tundra TRD RW - Location: Louisville, KY
- Contact:
Re: Best way to clean engine Bay
I leave the battery in, and attached and clean it as well. As long as you are not pouring water around your COP's or spraying it directly at the common problem plugs (COP's, Injectors, TPS, CAS, PTU) the electronics are all water resistant.
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DCaff300ZX
- Posts: 4202
- Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:18 am
- Car: .
1993 CRP TT- Modified - Location: Tacoma, Washington
Re: Best way to clean engine Bay
Since so many Z32 connectors are NOT waterproof nor particularly water-resistant after so many years (cracked/broken, melted, etc.), I myself do not use a hose or pressure washer of any type and instead use a bunch of old bath towels and squirt bottle to re-wet things to clean up any degreaser, which I use sparingly and more spot-oriented to avoid wetting any connectors too much, and requiring them to all be opened and re-greased/cleaned after such work.