[Nismo1997]

Warm the engine by starting it up for a few minutes and then shut it off. Cover the distributor, and you can either cover the alternator and fuse box, or use low pressure spray in those areas. Wet the engine with high-pressure spray. Spray engine and compartment with Simple Green at full strength (dirty engine) otherwise use a 50/50 mix (50% Simple Green, 50% Water). Let sit for about 5 minutes. Use a brush on heavily soiled areas. Rinse with high-pressure spray, but use low pressure around electrical components. Don't forget the underside of the hood.
After rinsing, start the engine and let run until the engine is dry. Go ahead and start wiping down the painted areas-but be careful while the engine is running. After the engine is dry, wipe down and towel dry the areas that you couldn't reach when the engine was running. Finish up with Silicone Spray on hoses and plastic parts and your ready to go.
As long as you have no oil leaks, you shouldn't have to clean your engine more than 2 times a year.

 

[Marvin]

Those of you with exposed air filter's may want to use a plastic bag and some tape or a zip tie.

 

[pete?]

Finish up with Silicone Spray on hoses and plastic parts and your ready to go.

You may want to strike that part from the write up. never use silicone, it greatly reduces the life of rubber and plastic. at the very least dont use this on your tires and engine hoses.........,however, your interior is not vital to your safty so spray away in there.

 

[Blank]

You may want to strike that part from the write up. never use silicone, it greatly reduces the life of rubber and plastic. at the very least dont use this on your tires and engine hoses.........,however, your interior is not vital to your safty so spray away in there.

use a vinyl dressing instead... vinylex werks great, and looks good too, anything safe for tires can be used on hoses and belts, just let it drip dry first before you start the car as sometimes the propellent is flamable and it could splatter everywhere...

 

[am3rican]

Im ashamed to admit this, but where is the distributor/fuse box and other electronics located on my car. ive never actually washed an engine bay...lol...so i have no idea where this sh*t is.

 

[Blank]

Im ashamed to admit this, but where is the distributor/fuse box and other electronics located on my car. ive never actually washed an engine bay...lol...so i have no idea where this sh*t is.

fuse box is going to be a big black plastic box labled fuses... other then that watch for any groups of wires, watch where the plugs connect to the wires your MAF sensor(near your intake) or anything else that exen makkes you think electronic.,...

 

[wildmanee]

Pete and others, if you used 100% silicon lubricant it will NOT harm any rubber/plastic components. It is the silicon that has additives mixed in with it that chew away at the plastic and rubber.

 

[Exalta]

I'd like to add a link here for this thread:

How to detail your engine

Just click! :crazy:

 

[sybergato]

JRinke I finally got ballzy enough to do it today. I cleaned my bay out n' it started up afterwards. Here are my pics of what I covered, if I should have covered something else, someone please state it. I'd like to be safer next time if I should be.

The two fuse boxes, disconnected positive battery terminal (covered whole thing), intake box, and alternater. I was pretty happy with the outcome, I didn't get the hood too well cause I forgot to do it until last and I had run outa mean green. DON"T FORGET UNDER THE HOOD! Lots of crap under there.

 

[sybergato]

My engine bay definatilly needs a good cleaning. But I'm afraid of screwing up electronics in there.. . .

 

[JRinke]

Im with you here Syber (first time I added oil, forgot to put the cap back on...DOH). Can anyone provide pictures of a completey sealed engine bay as in before you do the spray? Or does someone know of a method that offers more control than spraying but a little area that toothbrush? Perhaps a stiff bristle paintbrush and some of the Simple Green or some other grease detergent.

 

[MyGreenMax94]

Adding to this sticky: I use leaf blower to dry the engine bay and especially the electrical components/harness connectors...This will help prevent water from shorting out electrical components.....

 

[sybergato]

lol, I'm guessing if I just use a garden hose and try to be carful not to actually AIM it at electronic components I'll be ok??

 

[Matt93SE]

you guys forgot about spraying water on a hot exhaust manifold = BAD.

you also forgot to mention that simple green will corrode bare alumium and leave a thin layer of white aluminum oxide on it.

 

[pimpride]

Yea be careful, the last time I cleaned my engine bay I got water somewhere. Maybe it wasn't that, maybe it was the DAMNED WATER STORM that night that forced me through about foot deep water. That was about $300 in damages to get it running (mechanic pricing).

 

[PulsarPhill]

might want to try using a steam cleaner this doesnt to any damage to any electrics and due to the heat removes alot of oily substances

 

[thestunts200sx]

might want to try using a steam cleaner this doesnt to any damage to any electrics and due to the heat removes alot of oily substances

This would work really well.....

 

[sweet3rdgen]

DO NOT USE A STEAM CLEANER!!!! Steam in the engine bay is bad. Steam can go where even water cannot. Steam will settle in electronic connectors and eventually cause corrosion there. Those little connectors under the hood do a great job keeping water out of the connector but will let steam in, and once the steam gets in it returns to water.

 

[jobeken]

just cover the electrical components with a tight plastic wrap. and use the steam sparingly.

 

[NoLmit-B13]

lol well i tried this, covered everything
warmed it up, sprayed it with autozone degreaser, and rinsed it and dried everything off

and now i have a studdering exhaust and bouncy idle...lol i dont really care im getting wires and plugs soon, im just worried about that o2 sensor...