I noticed while installing my AEM CAI that my engine (especially the headers) are pretty dirty. How do you guys recommend cleaning up my engine compartment? I don't think that soap and water is gonna cut it with this much dirt and grime. Thanks.

 

Eiman Fabrik Hi Intensity Cleaner. This stuff is great. I use it mainly to clean my tires, but can be used to clean the engine bay.
I'm not a fan for hosing down the engine bay. Water and Engine...just can't get myself to do it. But a lot of people do it out there with great success (cover all electronics with plastic bags)
Here's a place you can order it from. I've had nothing but good service from them.
http://www.properautocare.com/hi-c32.html

 

I use simple green, a scrub brush, and a water hose. I have never had any problems with this setup and the engine bay looks great.

axe

 

Simple Green is pretty good

 

Back to Black on your rubber & vinyl products. Simple green first on metal, Then follow up with Never Dull. I would stay away from the old water hose and soap!

 

R U saying you dont hose the simple green off afterwards? If not, how do you get it off all the nooks and cranies in the engine bay. It would be nearly impossible (at least VERY time consuming) to wipe everything down with a rag afterwards.

 

You telling me you take a water hose and wash your engine compartment down with water?

 

Back in the day I used to pressure wash cold engines to clean them. Was never a big deal. With the CAI that I cannot easily get to without getting the car in the air, I've been hesitant to clean mine...

 

I don't do it to my engine, but I've heard of people doing it. They cover all electronics and other stuff. They spray it down with some engine degreaser/cleaner. Let it sit for a minute and then rinse it away with water and then dry. I'm sure it's not like spraying all over the place, more like a controlled stream. The "safe" thinking behind it is that the engine is designed to be outside, sealed, watertight,etc....I still can't get myself to do it though.

Maybe axeman can elaborate on his technique ?

I like 303 for rubber, dash, etc.

 

Sure, just as SK2003TypeS described above. You make it sound like I would shoot water in there like i was watering a garden or something but it wasnt anything like that. It was much more controlled than that, keeping the water to a gentle spray, and I kept the engine idling so that it would quickly burn off the water. I didnt have a pressure washer (some detail shops use steam washer I beleive). Now if there is a better way, i am all for other suggestions.

 

Even after covering some major electronics on my Talon the Cam/Crank Angle Sensor still went South and it was few hundred bucks (the 'nice' price) to order one overnight-ed from Tallahassee Mitsubishi to Cincinnati. It was easy enough to put in but even after all the towels and conpressed air that was used to get it dry it still produced steam under the hood when it warmed up. That steam would collect on the electrical components and just "corode away".

 

so how/why do detail shops clean the engine bay with steam? Its gotta be ok to do and shouldnt keep coroding after it dries. After all, the engine bay gets water in it both from what gets splashed up from underneath and to a lesser extent the grill.

 

it is ok the dealer does it you dont even need to cover the electronics ...they are exposed to elements all the time..important thing is not to use high pressure..just a light fog or mist to rinse of the cleaner ...good luck..

 

Shops will use steamers because they can afford them and probably makes the job quicker. As far as the coroding effects, they probably don't care because it would happen after the fact and they can deny it.
Yes, the engine does get wet from underneath and through the grill. So eventually there will be some corrosion, rust, etc. in certain spots.

Stories like Tom's there is why I don't use the hose method. Like the pulleys in the TL,...that's just way to exposed for my taste.

 

Thanks guys. Can I pick up Simple Green at Autozone or Pepboys?

 

I run a detail shop/car wash and we use simple green for almost everything--you can cut it down or use it full strength whatever works...

As far as the pressure cleaners go, if you use clod water, make sure the engine is cold too. Using cold water on a hot motor is a really good way to possibly crack your block.

Good Luck!!

 

Its available almost everywhere, even check places like Walmart.

 

A couple of folks have hit on it but allow me a chance to summarize:

I spray the entire engine and bay with the Simple green. (yes it is available in wal-mart!), let it sit for a couple of minutes, then gently hose it off with the garden hose. After I wipe away all of the water that I can with a clean towel, I take it out for a blow dry so not much water sits around lending a chance for corrosion. A few miles down the road and the engine has either 1) blown off the leftover water or 2) burned off the leftover from the heated engine.

Please NOTE: Simple Green will remove wax from the paint! Be sure that none of it gets on the fenders, etc. or you will be breaking out the Meguiars for a little touch up