Now since the summer is coming does anyone have a tips about cleaning the engine compartment at all since my engine is really dirty cuz of dust and snow!!
comments?

 

Cold water on cold engine. When done, start engine and let it idle while wiping down engine components, but avoid moving parts. If there are extremely dirty areas, use Simple Green straight up to clean. I've been doing that for the last 26 years with great results.

 

To minimize any build up, just wipe with a rag once or twice a month, I've been doing that since I got my TSX and the engine still looks like the engine back in October.

 

Damn, to think I wipe down everything under the hood every time I wash my car. Spotless!

 

Check out this article "How to Detail your Engine" from the Autopia tutorial site, now called Better Car Care:
www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=25

I used readily available orange-solvent cleaner (diluted) and a nylon paintbrush to nicely clean two older car engines, plus my TSX. Works great, and no need to buy yet another specialized cleaner.

 

I would love to clear my engine compartment but I have no experience doing so. May I ask a few stupid questions?

According to the instruction on Autopia, I should seal/wrap some components to prevent water from getting in. Which parts are sensitive to water? Do I need to disconnect battery? Anything I should be careful with?

It sounds a bit too easy just pouring down cold water on cold engine... Can you experts offer more tips?

 

i would wrap the top of engine and igintion part, if you trace the fuse box you would probably found some spot that you want to cover. also, i would not start the car right after water cleaning it, i like open the hood and let water dry up, cause the electric component may be sensitive to change in resistant and salt(from winter) make water more conductive. so i prefer wait til most if not all water dry up. i also disconnect battery cable and warp terminals in layers plastic bags, not sure if i overkill it, generally, i don't like idea of big clean job in the engine comparment, unless it's necessary, i prefer little care over long period.

 

So just to clear things up.....all I have to do is pour cold water in the engine bay and start it up and towel dry when I'm done? Never done it before, and I really can't afford to mess up my engine.....I guess I'm just paranoid.

 

one-year anniverary resurrection ?

 

For the lazy or those who don't have that much time to spend on detailing the car, use Spray Nine all around the engine bay, then rinse thoroughly with the water hose, and voila, you have a nice and clean engine bay.

 

What, you mean it's safe to just hose the whole engine with water?? I was careful even wiping with a damp cloth...

 

I do the same, although the TSX is still new and the engine is clean, but for my Tundra, just spray with engine decreaser and avoided simply direct shots to the alternator, ignition coils, belt and fuse box area.

 

I've shot my Accord while running with the garden hose before, ha ha!

How do you think all that dirt gets on the engine? In may case it's road salt and rain water over spray from on the road and cars ahead of you, I figure my garden hose, a sponge, and a small brush can't be much worse.

 

Yea... i'm thinking that i have to be careful with the water too.
However... when i'm driving down the road, and it's raining. It's the same affect. The entire engine bay gets pretty wet. So i'm thinking just a little water with a garden hose probably isn't going to hurt it.
Now on the other hand, dont take one of those carwash nozzles with the pressure washing wand into the engine bay. That WILL do some damage.

 

Exactly.

I used to have a hard time restarting my older cars, but the TSX's wires and sparkplugs aren't even exposed, so pressure hose it is, and no firing problems whatsoever.

 

whatever happened to a good old steam cleaning

 

I follow the same method as JTso. Use simple green, wipe down and then apply 303 or Son of a Gun to anything plastic. Makes it look really good.

 

same here, simple green and 303