My ’98 Acura CL has a grungy engine compartment. I’d like to clean it so if I get things like leaks eventually (the car has 211K miles) they will be easier to spot. I’m not sure what is safe to use as far as cleaners and such. I know there are cleaners that you spray then hose off, but I’m wondering if these are ok to use with our cars and electrical systems.

Any guidance would be great.

 

rule of thumb:

-cover everything that shouldn't get wet (coil, distributor, open element filter if you have one, fuse boxes should be fine if you have a lid on them)
-hose bay down with engine degreaser (2 bucks a can at ricerzone)
-let it sit for 5 minutes
-rinse off with a garden hose or power washer
-tada

you can take it an extra step by spraying the black plastic parts with armorall or tire shine. there's also "engine detailer" spray you can coat the whole bay with, if you just want everything to be blinding and gloss.

 

I actually cleaned my engine yesterday at my car dealerships Detail department. They gave me some degreaser (REDMAXX) to spray on the engine and then power wash it off. You can spray the entire engine, wires and all, just don't spray any of the degreaser on the belts, or you will be replacing them.

 

Thanks guys. I also found some info from searching (what a concept). My main motivation for cleaning things up is I’ve been wrestling with a coolant system issue that seems to be solved now. Needless to say some coolant and dripped here and there. I would like to clean things up this way is any leaks show up they will be easier to spot.

 

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=10

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=10

hooooooooose it down. Just dont go crazy near the alt, fuse box, and distributor.

 

Was that just hosed down? Or did you use something else with your water?

Looks great!

 

cover vitals, degrease, hose, let dry.

Take a wire brush to the battery terminals, and armor all wipes work great for the engine covers. Invest in some real shop towels, they work great and are reusable. Use those for scrubbing stubborn areas.

 

click second link.....