Cleaning Engine Bay
#1
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2003
Location: Lake Villa IL
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cleaning Engine Bay
Hi, I am looking for some assistance in how to best clean and detail my engine bay. My 04 CE Z06 is registered for Gold Certification at Bloomington Gold in just a few weeks and I'd like to know how to best approach cleaning the engine compartment without putting a hose to it.
Diane Quackenbush
Diane Quackenbush
#2
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 343,029
Received 19,307 Likes
on
13,978 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Just how dirty is it? On mine, I just wipe down the surface area with a moist Absorber (synthetic chamois) and if there is any grease, I use a little Simple Green on a rag to wipe that area up. I also use an air compressor with a nozzle to blow dust/debris off the engine/suspension area.
#3
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2003
Location: Lake Villa IL
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cleaning Engine Bay
It's probably not all that bad but there are over 17k miles on the car so it's not like it has never been driven. I don't have an air compressor but I do have a blower. I've heard of Simple Green but never used it. Does it need to be rinsed off? I'm afraid to take a hose to it because...well, it's probably not a real good idea.
#4
Don't be afraid of the hose. I actually got the idea from Adams Polishes in one of their earlier videos on how to clean the engine bay. Here's what you do:
1) Spray the engine bay with some form of degreaser or all purpose cleaner. I use 409.
2) Using a soft brush agitate the dirtier portions of the engine.
3) Before turning the hose on to rinse, start your engine. Then and only then, turn on a very light stream of water to rinse it off. The idea behind turning the engine on is if you should see your engine begin to sputter, move the hose off. I have never had my engine sputter.
4) Use a leaf blower to blow out the remaining the water.
5) Wipe down the remaining wet portions.
6) Dress the plastic with your choice of exterior trim treatments
I have used this process on all my cars with no problems
1) Spray the engine bay with some form of degreaser or all purpose cleaner. I use 409.
2) Using a soft brush agitate the dirtier portions of the engine.
3) Before turning the hose on to rinse, start your engine. Then and only then, turn on a very light stream of water to rinse it off. The idea behind turning the engine on is if you should see your engine begin to sputter, move the hose off. I have never had my engine sputter.
4) Use a leaf blower to blow out the remaining the water.
5) Wipe down the remaining wet portions.
6) Dress the plastic with your choice of exterior trim treatments
I have used this process on all my cars with no problems
#5
Melting Slicks
I agree with hb4lthr, good process. Don't worry about a fine spray of water on your engine, it's designed to tolerate it. You can scrub all day and all night with a rag/brush and it still won't be a clean as a little degreaser/water treatment.
#6
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2002
Location: Langhorne PA
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just be careful that no water gets into the recess of the rear knock sensor as it will short out and need to be replaced. There is a TSB on this issue. I found out the hard way.
Dan
Dan
#7
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: GRAYSLAKE IL
Posts: 1,028
Received 32 Likes
on
26 Posts
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
I use a bucket of water with some Simple Green in it & wipe with a wet rag. I like to get some detail spray on a rag & wipe the hoses after I'm done, leaves a nice gloss. Good Luck!
#8
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City OK
Posts: 58,260
Received 1,675 Likes
on
1,298 Posts
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I just use a damp rag and work at it.
#9
Race Director
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: exactly where i want to be
Posts: 15,615
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
#10
Race Director
I believe the knock sensor is behind the intake manifold (pain to replace, as is the similarly-positioned smog pump check valve). But regarding cleaning the engine. I spritz some water and simple green solution and then wipe off with paper towels.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
#11
I believe the knock sensor is behind the intake manifold (pain to replace, as is the similarly-positioned smog pump check valve). But regarding cleaning the engine. I spritz some water and simple green solution and then wipe off with paper towels.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
#12
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2002
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
6 Posts
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I just use the air compressor to blow out the big stuff. Then on to a damp rag, and if you want dampen it with something you don't mind using. Then dry off with a clean rag. It will sparkle. If it doesn't meet up to your expectations then you will have to get more aggressive. But I am pretty sure you won't have to go to that far. The engine bay cleans up quite well.
#14
Race Director
Adams In n Out spray after you clean it! Awesome stuff! Shines all the plastic and goes away by itself on the metal surfaces.
#16
Drifting
You shouldn't really use Simple Green as it is somewhat corrosive to Aluminum. Simple Green also makes EXTREME SIMPLE GREEN AIRCRAFT CLEANER that is formulated for Aluminum, works great!
#17
Safety Car
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Well then when it eats away my motor, a bigger one will replace it!!! Like I said 3 years no problem. I've used it on every car I have had. I spray it down, then spray with 2 parts water 1 part simple green. Then I spray it off and dry it!