How Do You All Clean Your Engines

[rsiwicki]

Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but how do you all clean your engines without messing things up like O2 sensors and the like. I don't really want my engine shinny and looking like I just bought it off soem dealer, just clean. Is there a service at the dealer that usually does this stuff or is there some other method of getting it cleaned.....

I ask becuase I just changed the air filter and my hands came out totally black. No grease....just a bunch of fine black dirt particles that I would like to get rid of so that I don't get so dirty next time.

[TorQue45]

I have never cleaned the Q. But with my other cars, after I cleaned them, they start to have a lot of problems. So I have decided never to clean them.

[natsoundup]

I go to the self service car wash and gently pressure wash it...if there is such a thing...

..been doing it for years....

...some would strongly advise against it....but my engine only gets dusty.....and then I am there cleaning it up again....

do it probably twice a year....

[elwesso]

Ive had great luck by rinsing the engine, misting with simple green (full strength) and rinsing again... makes everything look as new.....

[AZhitman]

Bah, here's the process - Learned it back when I used to do car shows:

-Start with a cool engine.-Cover all the electrical connections with Saran Wrap.-Spray whole engine with Gunk Engine Brite (for the "first" cleaning). Use Simple Green for "maintenance cleaning afterwards.-Use a scrub brush, toothbrush, some green scrubbies, anything you can to clean surfaces.-Pressure rinse.-For the shiny look, you can use OneTouch tire spray on black plastic/rubber parts.-Dry with a leaf blower, especially down in the Vee - it's deep and can hold a lot of water.-Remove all Saran Wrap and start car - Allow to reach operating temp with hood open to fully dry.

[nuQ]

greg's got it right!! that's the best way,,,,,,,with the best results!!!

[nuQ]

greg,,,,what's ur trick with the plenum???? sometimes even with the simple green, hard to get that dirt out???jeff

[rsiwicki]

thanks guys for the info. I guess it is off to the super market for some scrubbies and some dish gloves as I can see my first time doing this is going to be really messy.

[AZhitman]

greg,,,,what's ur trick with the plenum???? sometimes even with the simple green, hard to get that dirt out???jeff

Carb cleaner for the tough spots, then some Comet and a toothbrush.

[HeavyDuty]

Guys, I gotta tell ya, Greg is spot on, even with the leaf blower. One key is to work at it instead of expecting the cleaner to do the work for you.

Second of all, use the best chemical in the world, Wurth Engine Degreaser. The guys at Ferrarri of Orlando turned us on to it. Cleans unbelieveably (environmentally friendly) leaves no residue & preserves the factory markings on hoses & belts, etc.

[AZhitman]

There you have it - Ditch the "Gunk" and use the Wurth (they actually make a great rubber restorer product too).