Hey guys and gals

What are your guys' tips for cleaning a dirty engine bay? I bought the car a while ago, spent a bunch of time to get it running right, but it hurts me inside to show the engine bay. its FILTHY!! There's a ton of crud and whatnot, i don't think its ever been washed. Anyone have any preferred products/techniques for engine bay cleaning? The rest of the car is clean enough to eat off of, i just haven't gotten to the engine bay yet!

Thanks
FD3Cam

 

Honestly, I've always had the best luckwith good old simple green. I don't like using any of the shiny brighteners made by GUNK or whomever unless its VERY caked on, and at that point most of the time you just need to scrape off the old oil residue.

As far as tips are concerned, get yourself a couple layers of remaindered/old carpet as well as a tarp to put under the car/bay. Put the tarp down first and then put the carpet on top so you don't get gross runoff. Then get yourself a bunch of scrubby brushes and tape. Tape off any areas/tronix that you don't want to tweak and get to soaking and scrubbing. Elbow grease is what does the work.

-David Guy

 

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...y-ideas-84187/

Black Magic 2 in 1 Engine Shine | Black Magic Car Care Products

Just don't use a power washer or a hose spray attachment that has a lot of pressure. If you need to blast off some caked on stuff, use a brush to scrub and loosen it so you can just gently wash it away.

 

Thanks gents!

 

Might want to take off the under tray also to let the **** wash off to the ground instead of building up on the tray. Get lots of paper shop towels, tooth brushes and soap water. Have fun.

 

Hey OP, I just cleaned mine the other day. I took mine to the car wash, sprayed it with the engine cleaner and the rinsed it off.

Worked like a charm. Don't pressure wash any electrical boxes. Everything else is ok just be easy on the pressure. Make sure to cover up the intake filters and you'll be fine. People think that if you spray the alternator, it'll mess it up but I do it and I've never had a problem.

Take it to the wash to clean off the easy stuff and then use something stronger for the more stubborn grime.

 

just be aware that pressure washing your engine is indeed a risk, something CAN happen. i washed my engine off on the geo and ended up barely making it down the street and overheating the catalytic converter till it was glowing red. lost spark. perhaps use some WD-40 if need be. it actually will suck up water which can make electronics work again

 

Look for a purple bottle called super clean. I think it's sold at Walmart. Just mist everything under the hood and walk away for 30 min. or so. Come back with a rag and wipe whatever didn't dissolve away. No water involved for those that are paranoid about things like that.

 

Super clean is great, I use it to clean engine internals but I thought it wasn't safe to use on paint...?

What I did was use that GUNK engine degreaser. Let it sit for 30mins or so and then very carefully use warm water in a spray bottle to rinse away everything.

 

Thanks for all the help guys!

Its been raining pretty bad here (no garage yet) so i havent had a chance to clean it off!

The super clean sounds great maybe Ill give that a shot

 

Extra tip! After cleaning hit the entire engine bay with CD-2 Engine Detailer (no wiping, rinsing, etc. is necessary). You won't believe how everything under the hood (wires, hoses, metal, plastic, everything) looks new! This stuff is amazing and holds up pretty well.

 

I agree but don't get it in the alternator. It will coat the components inside of it and prevent proper operation. I know because I fucked up my Mustang gt Alt. that way .

 

Or just use a "2 in 1" product like I linked above.

 

I can confirm that Super Clean is NOT safe for paint. Used some to clean up an empty engine bay a while ago. The grime and caked on oil came off, right along the paint!

 

My engine bay mostly gets dusty and a little oily over time under the filter pedestal. I clean it once a year or so, usually while the IC and intake is out for cleaning and re-charging. On a cold engine, I cover the fuse/relay boxes with plastic grocery bags and rubber bands and use a pressure washer. I dial it down a little or hold it at a distance, use hot water only and am careful not to go crazy near the rat's nest. Then use compressed air to dry. Never had a problem over the years.

 

Strange, I routinely spray down my bay with super clean and have never had paint come off. This was original factory paint?