Detailing Engine

[kdeleon]

Noob question...

Just wondering what you guys recommend as far as products and procedures for cleaning and detailing you engine bay.

Any good tutorials out there. I searched, but couldn't find one for a Maxima.

I have a 2002 Nissan Maxima.

[kdeleon]

I guess I should learn to spell engine before I start cleaning it.

[SVTCOBRA]

I've been using "CASTROL" SUPER CLEAN CLEANER. I get it at Autozone. It's in a purple pump bottle. You put it on while your engine is cold, let it sit for 10 minutes, and hose it off.Cover your air intake and alternater. Do not hose off your engine forcefully.

Also, I normally wet down my entire car before starting (except for the engine) to help protect the paint from any overspray. I also hose off the entire car after finishing the engine.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I would not hit the top of your engine with water. Pretty much anythingbelow the intake is generally ok to clean with high pressure. Dontclean your radiator with the car wash wand too closely or the pressurewill bend your fins or put a hole in your radiator.

Watch out for the electronics (MAF sensor) and the alternator, I wouldnthit them directly with water either. I like to use Electromotive (Autozone)to clean the wiring above the intake manifold. Use degreaser for prettymuch anything below the intake. Take off the plastic shields under thecar first and spray the degreaser there. Be careful and not let water poolon the intake manifold around the spark plugs. Its actually better to dosome preventative electric taping around electrical connections first.

Wipe off the intake after the electromotive spraying with clean rags.I like to Armor all the hoses and wiring after spraying and cleaning.

You want your car engine warm, not hot. DONT break your block usingcold water on a hot engine. Use safety glasses and you can be moreaggressive without getting stuff in your eyes. Be careful spraying thebattery.

[Sentientbydesign]

I found this degreaser at Walmart called Holy Cow. My wife wanted to get it because it was non-toxic and biodegradeable.

Anyways, that stuff works awesome. I haven't had a chance at hitting the engine with it, but the grime on the BACK side of my rims came of with ease with this stuff.

It also works great on cleaning ovens! lol. Isn't that what our engine compartments are...ovens?

[maxhopper]

I've always started with a degreaser (a local shop sells this stuff called Purple Dragon...works great even at a 50% dilution). Scrub difficult areas with a firm brush. And follow up with a spray off, and a light dusting of armor all for the hoses.

[SVTCOBRA]

I always use cold water on a cold engine.I never use high pressure anywhere on my car.I use the degreaser on top of the manifold and gently hose it off.I dry off as much of the engine as possible before cranking it.Never have had any problems with the following Nissans:93 240, 99 G20, 00 Max, 02 Max, 01 Pathy, 03 Pathy, 05 G35

Fords that I haven't had problems with 99, 02 Exploder, 96, 97, 98 Mustang, 88 Bronco II, 97 Tbird, 90, 98 Taurus

Have heard of problems with water damage due to washing engines on F140's. Water did get into neighbor's spark plugs.

Being cautious as NutriaforBreakfast suggests is always a good thing to do.

[Chris93se]

That castrol superclean will melt plastic like acid in a galvanized pale . (I painted plastic models and someone told me to use that stuff to stip the paint... I was talking about plastic... hewas talking about metal ha... )

You havent had any problems?... Lucky This guy knows how to do it! ha http://videos.streetfire.net/v...6.htm

and this one too hahahahhttp://videos.streetfire.net/v...9.htm

[SVTCOBRA]

That castrol superclean will melt plastic like acid in a galvanized pale . (I painted plastic models and someone told me to use that stuff to stip the paint... I was talking about plastic... hewas talking about metal ha... )

You havent had any problems?... Lucky This guy knows how to do it! ha http://videos.streetfire.net/v...6.htm

and this one too hahahahhttp://videos.streetfire.net/v...9.htm

Castrol has never melted or harmed any plastic parts on my car...So, not sure if you bud was confused. That guy on the VID needs to trash that 'Shark thing' and get him some Castrol Super Clean!!!! That was WAAAAY too much work for the results he was showing!!!

[DMoreau]

I always use a steam cleaner with a strong degreaser. Avoid the major electrical parts like the alternator, MAF, throttle body, etc.. Disconnect the battery before you start to be safe. I always like to blow the water off the connections with compressed air before I start the car again.

[SVTCOBRA]

Hey Neighbor!! Concord really messed up!!!

Hey, I want to build a drag strip.NO! (-10000000000000000000)Hey I want to build a drag strip and give me some major incentive $$$ or I take away your speedway.... OK!!!!