How di I clean/detail the motor?

[wizeguy]

I need to clean up the motor in my 05 and need advice for the safest way to do it....Are the days where you go the the .25 car wash long gone?
Modified by wizeguy at 6:55 PM 10/2/2009

[carnal_c30]

I seriously just wipe mine down with a wet rag and/or a bit of simple green.

if you decide to hose the motor down avoid electrical harnesses and components and keep the motor running for a good long time afterwards so everything completely dries out

[sicwitit]

these are the steps I usually take if I'm doing it at home.

With the engine running...I use about 1/2 a bottle of simple grean degreaser, soaking just about everything from the bottom of the hood, all the way down the firewall, and engine. I shy away from the Alt, or any other electronics but everything will get wet no matter what. you know your doing it right if all the belts start to squeel.

Drink a beer..(or let 2-3min pass)

I then use a pressure washer, again starting from the underside of the hood, rinsing all degreaser from the highest point down, and again, really stay away from directly spraying the Alt, or any of the Coils, or spark plug caps if its an older car.

I've been washing my engine bay like this for the last 15 yrs and have never encountered a problem doing this. Also while working at a detail shop way back in the 90's we would use a mix of 50/50 water and Armoral and spray down the engine bay after its last rinse. this was to make everything look brand new, and is still a "trick" most detail shops use for dealership cars to make everything look good. the only down side to this, is after you have driven for a week, all the dust and dirt sticks to the armoral and it looks kind of nasty.

[W O T]

I use this foaming engine cleaner thats pretty cheap at canadian tire, spray it on, let it bubble an do it things, then just mist/lightly spray it off.

A rag coverred in cleaner and a little time and elbow grease will do wonders though

[Mikey178]

I clean and detail my QX4 engine after the winter and midway through the summer.

I use a citrus engine degreaser from Canadian Tire, let it sit for about 10 minutes and power wash, yes power wash it but I use a wide spray so its not direct water pressure. It takes away a lot of the engine dust, grime and grease that builds up over time. I do go light over the alternator and consider the electrical components when spraying the cleaner and rinsing. Once its all washed out. I let the engine dry by running it to warm up and taking it for a drive to ensure everything is working.

After, I use an engine finishing spray and finish the whole engine about 3 times. Its like clearcoat polish that gives the engine a "hardshell" like finish.

It drys in about 20 minutes and saves the time of detailing after cleaning the engine. I attached a picture below.

[W O T]

CRAZY ammount of electrical components ontop of the 3.3 eh, holy crap

Looks pretty good though, sure is alotta red in that engine bay

[Mikey178]

Thanks, Im trying to go with a theme, red in the engine and blue on the interior and exterior.

I plan on doing the intake manifold red next year.

[sicwitit]

Red Wrinkle powder coat FTW!!