Keeping it clean under the hood.. here's why!

[Jesda]

So I washed and detailed the engine compartment a few days ago. And this past week I've been struggling with my 92 Q45 which had a tendency to overheat with the AC on in humid 100F weather.

Well, I had the radiator removed and examined by a shop I trust -- its in -perfect- shape. I had the water pump replaced since it whined a bit. So today I opened the hood to show off my nice clean, shiny engine to some friends, and discovered water spots in a focused area -- right by the main radiator cap. It felt loose, so I tightened it, and it still felt loose and spongy.

Could it be that, if I had kept the engine clean all along, that I could have saved $375 on diagnostics, parts, and labor and just purchased a $6 radiator cap? After a test drive with a new cap, those water spots never came back. I also bought the type with a locking lever.

There's apparently more reasons to keep everything clean under the hood other than bragging to the neighbors about your hot V8.

-Jesda

--> My cleaning method: Spray with 75-cent can of wal-mart engine degreaser, hose off, let dry overnight. Coat surfaces with tire dressing using a dry rag.

[SCOTTDW]

Keeping the engine bay clean and new looking payed off for me last year. My V8 SHO Taurus was stolen and later recovered completely stripped. Based on the condition of the carcass they deemed the car in "showroom ready" shape and gave me a very good settlement. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Scott99I30T

[elwesso]

Where did you get your cap??? Can you get them about anywhere...... Sometimes after I run it hard, it has a little spewage..... Not much, and defintely much less since I flushed the system and replaced the Tstat......

[Jesda]

I got the cap at Schucks/Checkers/Kraegen. Whatever the popular brand is they carry, for about six bucks. Napa carries the same brand too. I looked it up in the book and got it right off the shelf. It fits very securely and has a handy red handle to lock it in place. I'd recommend it to anyone!

-Jesda

[Need4Speed]

I agree,

Keeping your engine clean helps to quickly identify any fluid leaks that might be forecasting a BAD problem on the horizon. It's also so much nicer for routine maintanence.

For detailing the engine & bay after degreasing I use a spray on "engine detailer"....I find it locally at Autozone for about $3 a can. For degreasing I've heard "Simple Green" in it's undiluted form works great. I have not tried it as of yet so I don't know.

Andy

[forecast]

Keep it clean

I am disgusted when friends ask me to do a job on their cars and I pop to hood to discover 6 years of road dust and caked oil. That's like going to the dentist and not brushing you teeth for a week first.

my method is use the manual power car wash wands. Just don't get so western with it that you cut a hose with the blast.

[vq35de]

That's like going to the dentist and not brushing you teeth for a week first.

You are supposed to brush your teeth BEFORE you go to the dentist?!?@ What? I thought they were supposed to clean em for you when you paid for your CLEANING?

j/m

Yes a clean engine bay is a delight. I pull accesories off every now and then just to clean hard to reach spots.

And it is especially valuable in any car you run hard. Also highly overrated is a white colored engine bay for the same reasons.

[Rex]

So, any radiator cap will do?

I keep the engine bay clean as well, but it was the opening of the hood to allow the engine to cool that helped me (just recently) notice a few spots of "green powder", that I know have realized is anti-freeze.