Engine compartment de-gunking

[ceningolmo]

Ok... so I am doing the timing chain guides on my Silver Q. While I am in there I am replacing water pump. The water pump has been dripping coolant in small amounts for what appears to be a significant amount of time, based on the massive amounts of crap stuck to the front of my engine.

Wes mentioned to me the other day that coolant, being essentially sugar-water, turns in to a gummy mess when it drips. Well, it has turned everything below the level of the water pump in to a tar covered mess in the front of my engine compartment. I would like to clean it up...but how?

I know you can use Simple Green or that Citrus Power engine cleaner. But, I think that is for eliminating general dirt and grime. I don't think that stuff would even put a dent in the level of crapola I have in my engine compartment.

I had a can of carb/choke cleaner laying around, so I sprayed that on some of the flat surfaces of the front cover and it cleaned things up nicely. However, I don't know what damage that type of cleaner might do to plastic, rubber, or electircal parts. So, I don't want to go spraying it everywhere. I guess I am looking for suggestions. The alternator is caked with gunk probably .5" thick. What can I use to get rid of this stuff without doing damage to anything?

[elwesso]

I may try and cover the holes to the alternator so that gum doesnt go into the alternator..... OTher than that you shouldnt hurt anything, just try to localize it on the metal.

[paranoidjack]

from the sound of it, I'd probably remove the alternator.

[DrewQ45]

from the sound of it, I'd probably remove the alternator.

Yeah right! I don't know about a Y33 but removing a G50 alternator is such a PITA that it would have to be dead for that to happen (on my car anyway). At the very least though, I'd unblock the alternator's air vents.

...Drew...

[Rex]

Hot water usually softens sugar up anough to "remove it".

Justa thought.

[heywier427]

im kinda crazy when it comes to my engine bay so im gonna chime in.

first the most important thing is not to use simple green!

yes it works great, but it turns the aluminum white. most people dont really care, and some peoples cars are second hand, but if your block isnt white already dont use anything that says its aluminum corrosive.

my pick is a citrus cleaner from home depot. you cant use it on plastic, youve just got to be careful. i put it in a spray bottle, and use the whole spray bottle at full concentrate.

but i also have a low psi power washer, also purchased at home depot. 70 bucks for 1300psi. its called the weekender in a small red carrying case. thats what does the trick. and i only send hot water through it.

the citrus stuff is in a clear 1 gal container, and the contents is orange in color. it works great.

if your going to use carb cleaner, hose it off asap.

[Jesda]

Went to the car wash. Used the high pressure spray nozzle. Went home, $3 poorer.

[BlackBirdVQ]

I use Meguiars degreaser with awesome results at work. Our detail department sometimes gets some REALLY nasty cars in for details and they use this stuff on alot of parts. I dunked bout 3 bottles of it on my Q, and most of my friends are in awe with the results it has given them on their cars when I wash their engines with it.

I use a 10,000 psi power washer to clean off all the nasty grime away. Just finished my customers 91 Sentra SE-R up this weekend and gave it a nice bath. The engine came away almost as clean as new. My VH doesn't have covers on it so I don't worry bout plastics getting messed up. VH looks best when clean, and no covers- naked

[qsiguy]

For really gunky stuff I like to use brake or carb cleaner. It works really well for smaller areas. But like heywier said, wash it off quickly if it's on anything rubber, wires, etc.

[tkd_q45]

So you guys are power washing under the hood? No issues with F*ing up any eletrical connections or causing long term corrosion?

[qsiguy]

If I'm pressuring washing/degreasing under the hood there are some areas where I won't focus the wash on. But for the most part, most of the components under the hood are designed to be somewhat water resistant as water gets up there whenever it rains

[heywier427]

yea but holy crap...10,000psi. that scares me! really, doesnt cause any problems or break anything? well i guess not. and as far as long term goes...nothings showing signs as of yet...

[Jesda]

yea but holy crap...10,000psi. that scares me! really, doesnt cause any problems or break anything?

It hasnt so far.

[elwesso]

I dont like powerwashing under the hood personally... It forces water in places it shoudlnt be.. I dont think a gentle mist hurts anything but power washing isnt good.....

You guys shouldnt let your engine bay get that dirty in the first place. I simply rinse mine every so often and wipe it dry and it never gets really dirty.

[pito11213]

It is perfectly safe to wash your engine. I take my car all the time to get it washed and then sprayed with a shine. Looks brand new. If something goes wrong after a wash it is usually something that was already cracked or loose and it was just a matter of time.

[sxcoupe]

gtx super clean, dont get the little spray bottle they have now i think its watered down. get the gallon jug, worked great on mine. i wont use anything else.