im scared to do it! 8O im afraid that when i powerwash the engine, the blast may break up some electrical connections, or water will get somewhere it shouldnt. any horror stories anyone can share? or any tips on how to make a filthy engine look clean? thanks

I frequently do this with all my vehicles new and old ones. I've had a time or two where I had to remove the Distributor cap and dry off the inside but other than that I've never really had issues.

I can't stand to work on a car/truck what ever and have dirt or oily dirt fall in my face or have so much grease on an engine you can't tell where a leak is or some other problem. I also power wash under them to clean transmission and all that undercarriage.

I generally will only rinse off the outside after but I wash my body at home with a good quality Car Wash not a power washer. Power washers, in my opinion, are only for blasting off grease and dirt from areas you can't get to with your hands and soap and water.

i was thinking of getting a couple cans of degreaser and going to the quarter spray wash, i think the pressure will be fairly safe there. im just paranoid.

I highly recommned Orange Blast (http://www.glblast.com/) to clean the engine. It melts away grease and oils. It's available in many supermarkets and PepBoys.

Start the engine and let it run for a minute, just to warm it up... NOT HOT!!

Wrap a plastic bag around the distributor and any other electrical items you may be worried about. Then spray a section at a time, let it sit, and gently hose it off. This is mostly common sense so proceed slowly and carelfully and you'll be fine.

Run the engine after each cleaning session, if possible, use an air hose or leaf blowrer to blasrt out any settled water.

If you're really worried just do a section at day and take your time.

When you're all done and have a nice clean engine give it a spray with a tire shine or quick detail spray to shine it up a bit.

After this you can easily maintain your engine by giving it a quick wipe down every couple of weeks.

I went to Home Depot and got the inexpensive garden pump sprayer for $10.00, some Orange Blast degreaser/cleaner and some 1 inch foam brushes.

Tape up or cover up as much of the electronics that you can. I put the Orange Blast in undiluted into the sprayer. Pump it up and you can get at quite a bit with the "wand". Pour some Orange Blast into a plastic cup and use the small foam brush to get into the crevices. Let sit for a bit and then "GENTLY" hose off.

I use this "poorboy" engine cleaning procedure and it worked out great. I have some pictures, but they are home. I'll post tonight.

Remember to use fender covers, or at least wet down the fenders as the crap will be flying.
8)

LeoC2 wrote: When you're all done and have a nice clean engine give it a spray with a tire shine or quick detail spray to shine it up a bit.


Would your opinion be that you should use only a water based "tire shine" or "quick detail" on the hoses and such?

LeoC2 wrote: When you're all done and have a nice clean engine give it a spray with a tire shine or quick detail spray to shine it up a bit.


Would your opinion be that you should use only a water based "tire shine" or "quick detail" on the hoses and such?

I never took much notice, they all work fine. One really good one comes in a spray can and smells like bubble gum... Spray & Shine (http://www.toccomagico.com/)

I start my engine compartment/undercarriage projects with a solvent wash. You can really blast off the large crud with a solvent gun. Then the dirty work starts, a good scrub with brushes and Simple Green. I finish off the job with paint touch-up and then an ArmorAll spray and wipe down.

I know Leo doesn't like Armorall products, but their tire foam works really well to touch up the engine compartment.

The nice thing about the tire foam, is that is spreads out to a fine mist, and you can apply it while the engine is still wet.

It looks great on all your hoses, wires and plastic pieces! (you'll want to cover or clean up the chrome pieces)

I know Leo doesn't like Armorall products, but their tire foam works really well to touch up the engine compartment...

Actually you're right that I don't like AmorAll EXCEPT for your example, the tire foam DOES work well in the engine compartment. I wouldn't use it on my tires but it's known to work well on the engine.

I use the original ArmorAll on everything; spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes. Then I wipe of any excess and polish the chrome. sluminum and paint. Makes it much easier to keep clean.

there is this real powerfull cleaner called "purple stuff" i think you can get it at home depot it works really good i cleaned up my engine on my elk when i first got it, it cleaned it very well

there is this real powerfull cleaner called "purple stuff" i think you can get it at home depot it works really good i cleaned up my engine on my elk when i first got it, it cleaned it very well

Yeah, that stuff is amazing! Requires almost no effort at all to remove dirt. I think it's actually called "Purple Power".

I am getting ready to attempt to clean my engine compartment, but I need to know what I should cover up (pictures would help tremendously).

im scared to do it! 8O im afraid that when i powerwash the engine, the blast may break up some electrical connections, or water will get somewhere it shouldnt. any horror stories anyone can share? or any tips on how to make a filthy engine look clean? thanks

Tony, do like i did and start cleaning it and decide to pull it and do a rebuild.... :D :D :D

No seriously orange blast, mineral spirits for soaking old dirty timing covers, and simple green works very well....

Have fun.....

no way man! im not that skilled. if i was, this old tired 350 would have been pulled by now. plus, its nice to have a hand in the garage. right now, my wife is not willing to get grease under her fingers. :P

Purple Power in my area can be purchased at local flea market cheap. Check your area. Use alot of the stuff on my dirt bikes. Really speeds up cleaning. Half and half mix. Good info here also on components to keep dry. With a good degreaser I don't see the need for high pressure. CAUTION-not good for aluminum wheels.

Also the purple stuff is the best thing I've ever seen for dissolving love bugs for those of you who live in Fla.

Alimony
04 triple black Vet 6 spd
86 El Camino ZZ430

It has had no affect any times I have done it but a reagular hose and nozzle with Windex on the Intake, Carb, and Valve Covers cleans up nice