spooky3ce

Tomorrow i'm going into the engine with a bucket of water and a couple rags... now does anyone know a good way to clean your engine compartment including your engine so that it doesn't looke as nasty as mine... Look at signature and click on "1st Generation" to see what i'm talking about... I was thinking of an electric pressure washer that Wal-mart has for $150 bucks or so... but $150 bucks... i'll have to wait a couple weeks... any ideas???

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this... so i'm not sure if this is a but i would like some opinions if not answers... any how to's are greatly appreciated...

Thanks in Advance...

UnsanePyro

From another site, but it should be some help, though I can't say I cleaned mine using this meathod, I just know mine came squeaky clean from the dealer

Supplies needed:
1) Wash bucket with several different sizes of brushes and towels or sponges.
2) Car shampoo
3) Simple Green degreaser/cleaner, Orange Blast (Thanks to Beachnut), and Super Clean work well too.
4) Extra spray bottle for dilluting the Simple Green (optional)
5) Air compressor or leaf blower for drying
6) Torx screw set
7) About 5 plastic baggies, large enough to cover the alternator
8) Saran Wrap
9) MAG polish, rubber/tire protectant (optional)

Notes:
1) I am not responsible for any damage that occurs to your motor. I will do my best in telling you what to cover, and what to check for excess water but it IS possible for water damage to occur.
2) I am explaining how to clean the new FWD 4cyl, 5cyl and 6cyl motors. The steps will be the same for any engine, but I have never cleaned another Volvo motor so I do not know where water tends to collect on the other motors. If you have suggestions for a RWD Volvo, please post them in my other thread.
3) Before you begin, the engine needs to be cool/warm. NOT HOT! The temp guage should be in the lower 1/4 of its range. If it is still a little warm it will help you get the grime off easier.
4) The ECU box is pretty waterproof, so I do not mention it in the steps, but check to make sure water did not get in before you start the car.


The first and most important thing to do is cover the electricals. I find that a few different sizes of plastic baggies work well. Cover the alternator, distributor, ignition coil, and if you can reach it on your car.. the starter. The fuse box is pretty waterproof, but it wouldnt hurt to cover it with some saran wrap. Cover the battery terminals with saran wrap. Also if you have an 850, put a baggie over the ABS control module. (Newer cars ABS units are in a plastic box)

Once everything is covered, mix your cleaning solution. If your motor is really dirty, you could use the Simple Green full strength. If you feel its not too grimey dilute it by how you see fit. (The dirtier you engine, the stronger you make to solution)

Wet the engine with a light spray, never use a hig pressure spray on your engine. Once it is wet, spray on the Simple Green liberally. Let the product set for a few minutes, don't let it dry. While its soaking, fill your wash bucket with soapy wash water. Use your towels and brushes on the motor. Using a sponge or wash mit clean the bottom side of the hood, and the painted parts of the body. Scrub the grimey parts the most. Some things can be hard to get to and your hands are gonna get beat up and stuck some places. Once everything is scrubbed, rinse lightly but thoroughly. If you feel the process needs to be repeated, do so until you are satisfied.

Take your leaf blower/air compressor and start drying with it. Start with the underside of the hood. Carfull not to blow under the flame retardant hood mat, it comes loose pretty easily. Blow dry all the nooks and cranies until its generally dry. Make sure the injectors are dry (behind the fuel rail) Now use a towel and wipe all the excess water.

Take your torx set and take off the spark plug cover on top of the engine. Water accumulates here VERY easily and water on a spark plug can cause a pretty bad miss which can result in problems later. Wipe it dry, and if there is any sign of moisture in there, pull out each plug wire and make sure it is dry inside. This is very important. Once you are sure it is dry, put the cover back on.

You can now remove the baggies and saran wrap and use a Quick Detail spray on a rag to clean up the alternator, battery terminals and anything else.

If you want to add a little more shine, use a MAG alloy polish like Mothers and a towel to polish the metal. Apply it with pressure and buff it off once it hazes. Use a tire/rubber protectant on the black plastic and buff clean.

Start the car, let it idle for a few minutes while you put everything away. Check to make sure it is not idling rough. Belt squeel for a minute or so is normal especially if you used a spray rubber protectant. (Its the serp. belt) Run the a/c and make sure it blows cold. If all is well, drive it and get it warm.

Thats it!

ravingstylez

the shark steamer works great

ARX-01b

iTrader: (1)

Here is how I do mine and it always turns out great. Mix up a little simple green and wipe down the engine using a couple small rags. Rinse off with garden hose and here is the real secret to make your engine compartment look showroom new, spray entire bay with Armor All Tire Foam and take off for a 10 minute drive. Once you return, pop the hood. I promise you that you will be totally satisfied with the results.

TOGWT

Quote: the shark steamer works great

~One mans opinion / observations~

Engine Compartment Steam Cleaning:
High-pressure steam cleaning can force solutions into the engine harness sheath and associated cables, causing unusual problems that would not have occurred otherwise.

Modern vehicle engine harness multi-plugs and related sealing measures are not designed for the discharge velocity and force of typical commercial steam cleaning units.

Further, cleaning solutions with the high-pressure discharge can leave conductive and often corrosive residues deep within the harness and cables. Most engines are rarely so encrusted with automotive residues and dirt that normal, low-pressure degreasing methods fail to provide proper, efficient cleaning. High-pressure engine steam cleaning is unnecessary and should be restricted to extreme cleaning jobs, such as commercial trucks, off-road vehicles, etc.

~Hope this helps~

Knowledge unshared is experience wasted
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon

TOGWT

~One mans opinion / observations~

This is the method I use for engine cleaning-

Engine Detailing Methodology:
·Remove any excess debris; leaves and etc form the hood, grille or air-vent openings.
·Spray all electrical connectors with WD40, which repels water.
·Use cling-film or Saran wrap elastic covers to cover any sensors, electrical black boxes, electrical devises that could cause an electrical short-circuits if subjected to water spray.
·This will not guarantee that you wont cause a problem when cleaning an engine bay but it will greatly reduce the risks.
·Start and run the engine to get it warm, not hot, this will enable the de-greaser to work more efficiently on a warm surface.
·Apply an engine de-greaser (Autoglym Engine Cleaner) by lightly spraying the lower parts of the engine first and then working upwards.
·Do not allow the de-greaser to dry or remain on painted surfaces, and be sure to dilute with water and dry with a cloth.
·For heavily soiled areas agitate with a nylon engine cleaning brush and a diluted general purpose cleaner (P21S® Total Auto Wash)
·When the grease and grime is dissolved and you're ready to remove it, spray with a light (garden type) pressure water hose.
·Use the blower side of a vacuum (avoid area that may be sensitive to a forced air flow) or allow the engine compartment to air dry and then thoroughly wipe down all accessible surfaces and then remove cling-film or aluminium foil.
·When everything is dry apply a vinyl/rubber protectant to hoses, shields and wires, and spray engine parts with CD2 Engine Detailer or Groit's Spay on Engine Gloss
·Wipe off any excess with a clean cloth and apply a wax/sealant protection to painted surfaces.

~Hope this helps~

Knowledge unshared is experience wasted
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon