I was wondering if there was a way to clean the engine bay with everything still in the bay. I was told that it could be done with a pressure washer with the car running.... I am not to sure about that because of all the 25 year old electrical stuff under there.... Does anyone have any pointers?

 

First of all, don't do that. You get water into an electrical connection and you'll be kicking yourself. Get Simple Green Degreaser, lot's of paper towels and an afternoon. A little elbow grease and some time will take care of all that nasty 25 year old grime. The stuff works great so just spray an area and scrub it away. If things can be moved then move them out of the way to clean behind them.

 

Simple green works awesome...gonna take some time and effort, but it will come out great!

 

Simple Green or equivalent, toothbrushes, nylon scrubber, toilet brush for hard to reach firewall etc., sponge w/green pad for thicker stubborn stuff. Lot's of patience! Empty spray bottle to fill and refill with hot water for rinsing. (dries faster and helps loosen crud too) Also those nylon detail brushes come in handy too. Good Luck! It's a pain, buy do it well and it's worth it every time you pop your hood.

 

Elbow grease is fine. But I must be lazy because a pressure washer is better. On a hot day spray your engine down with a de-greaser, simply green, or even oven cleaner. Wash with pressure washer, just be careful around the electrical connections but do not be afraid to wash the engine. After you're done washing take it for a good drive get it up to temperature to dry everything out.
cheers!

 

Oven cleaner does a number on aluminum in a bad way. I've used oven cleaner on cast parts before powder coating but when used on aluminum, it will start to corrode. If you want your aluminum stuff to stay some what shinny, don't use it.

 

pressure washer isn't necessary. a simple garden hose will work just fine.

 

zip lock bags and zip ties can be your Best Friend to cover water-sensitive stuff like Dizzy, electronic boxes, headlight motors.
When I did mine I actually unbolted hardware from inner fenders to get in and around grunge. Don't do the whole engine this way, work one side at a time - TAKE PHOTOS if your going to start removing stuff!!!!

And if you want all this sweat-equity to matter: WAX it !!!


Stu Aull
80 GS
Alaska

 

be sure to wrap a plastic bag over the alternator, carb and distributor cap.

 

WackyRicer is right and lots of manual cleaning. WackyRicer gives me crap on how I always clean my engine bay. LOL!!! Of course once you got it clean just keep it up once a week. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3253204

 

Here's a link to my thread on this: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...highlight=pics

It takes time to get it done, but once the bay is cleaned up then keeping it that way is simple. Once every couple of months, I'll head down to the car wash and spray her down/rinse/wax. I just avoid the dizzy and alternator and haven't had an issue so far. But if you still have emissions and a lot of other stuff in there, you may run into problems if you get them wet. My engine bay is pretty well stripped of anything that doesn't absolutely have to be there. I'm a big fan of simplicity.






.

 

I've always used a pressure washer. I also leave the engine running the entire time. If you're worried about water getting into the electrics, keep a can of brake cleaner handy to blow out/dry out any water that gets in them. Simple Green or Purple Power works good. Purple Power is harsher on aluminum. I used to be able to get 90% orange citric cleaner, works wonders but has gotten outrageously expensive.

 

Q-tips and deionized water. And tears.

 

....hopefully of joy Glen


Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

i think castrol super clean is the best in the world. just make sure your wash it off and dont get it on aluminuim parts or rub insanley in one spot will take the paint off.





good luck

chris

 

But of course. Joy and exertion.