Cleaning the MOTOR - Page 2

NskGenakuDuckie · 07-10-2004, 07:37 PM

I've never had enough balls to spray my engine compartment full of water. What I do is with every car wash (about once a week), I just do a quick detail in the engine compartment, use simple green and clean around here and there. However if you do I'd highly recommend you cover up your alternator and battery, or any exposed wires/harnesses. Better to be safe than sorry.

donmei · 07-11-2004, 09:04 PM

I high pressure spray it from about 5 ft away when I wash the car. Its not really high pressure by then, but gets the crud off the engine. Espescially in the winter, that scoop brings all kind of crap in there.

Don

majmun · 07-12-2004, 12:56 PM

I use Orange Blast. Works awesome and doesn't leave a residue for dirt to stick to.

b_boy · 07-12-2004, 01:02 PM

I wrap the alternator in a drytowel and use a neutral soap (Simply Green, Mother's, P21S). I've used a garden hose or a 1500 psi sprayer. I never blast the anything too hard. I use the neutral soap because I fear corrosion, so (it sounds crazy, but I've seen it done) don't use oven cleaner on the car. Yes it cuts grease, but it will dissolve rubber too. Stay away from acid/caustic cleaners, unfortunately they are also the ones that cut grease the best. They will say on the bottle/can if the are acidic or caustic (basic).

ATiM0TEA · 11-12-2007, 08:36 PM

Okay I'm about to clean my engine. I have to double check! So here's how I'm going to do it. Cover up my alternator. Spray the whole engine with water...spray simple green all over the engine ...then rinse by spraying water. I will be just using my hose. Is that really all it takes to clean the engine? I got a 04 STi and I want it to be able to start after I clean it!

Thanks.

ATiM0TEA · 11-12-2007, 08:39 PM

So I shouldn't clean the engine while it's hot? And am I able to start the engine right up after I'm done or do I have to wait tell it drys?

**rspeedy** · 11-13-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATiM0TEA

So I shouldn't clean the engine while it's hot? And am I able to start the engine right up after I'm done or do I have to wait tell it drys?

You should just warm up the engine - don't let it get hot before putting cleaning chemicals on it so that the chemicals don't dry on the engine. Most engine cleaning chemicals provide this advice in the instructions.

ATiM0TEA · 11-13-2007, 11:05 AM

Alright I'm going to clean my engine tomorrow for the first time and I'm a bit worried. If something bad happens..I'm going to blame it on you guys!

ATiM0TEA · 11-13-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATiM0TEA

Okay I'm about to clean my engine. I have to double check! So here's how I'm going to do it. Cover up my alternator. Spray the whole engine with water...spray simple green all over the engine ...then rinse by spraying water. I will be just using my hose. Is that really all it takes to clean the engine? I got a 04 STi and I want it to be able to start after I clean it!

Thanks.

Someone please verify that this is true.

***BoostJunkie*** · 11-13-2007, 06:09 PM

It's not rocket science...cover the alternator and if you want to be extra safe, also cover the battery terminals and any electrical connections. Make sure engine is warm, not hot. Wet it down, spray on your cleaner of choice, agitate it with a brush to get all the dirt off, hose it off. Then if you want spray on a dressing. I use 303 Aerospace Protectant.

ATiM0TEA · 11-14-2007, 02:42 PM

Can the engine be cold? Is that okay?

07-10-2004, 07:37 PM	#16
NskGenakuDuckie Senior STI Driver Car: I hate ignorant car people, I hate ricers, I hate noobs that ask dumbass obvoius questions, SEARCH!! Fav Mod: College student, Best Buy associate Location: Walnut, Ca Posts: 306 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I've never had enough balls to spray my engine compartment full of water. What I do is with every car wash (about once a week), I just do a quick detail in the engine compartment, use simple green and clean around here and there. However if you do I'd highly recommend you cover up your alternator and battery, or any exposed wires/harnesses. Better to be safe than sorry. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-12-2007, 08:36 PM	#20
ATiM0TEA Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Location: AL Posts: 45 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Cleaning the MOTOR Okay I'm about to clean my engine. I have to double check! So here's how I'm going to do it. Cover up my alternator. Spray the whole engine with water...spray simple green all over the engine ...then rinse by spraying water. I will be just using my hose. Is that really all it takes to clean the engine? I got a 04 STi and I want it to be able to start after I clean it! Thanks.

11-12-2007, 08:39 PM	#21
ATiM0TEA Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Location: AL Posts: 45 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Cleaning the MOTOR So I shouldn't clean the engine while it's hot? And am I able to start the engine right up after I'm done or do I have to wait tell it drys? Last edited by ATiM0TEA : 11-12-2007 at 08:39 PM. Reason: error

11-13-2007, 11:05 AM	#23
ATiM0TEA Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Location: AL Posts: 45 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Cleaning the MOTOR Alright I'm going to clean my engine tomorrow for the first time and I'm a bit worried. If something bad happens..I'm going to blame it on you guys!

11-13-2007, 06:09 PM	#25
*BoostJunkie* Sold My Soul For Mods Car: '05 CGM STi Fav Mod: Track Time Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 6,459 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (12)	Re: Cleaning the MOTOR It's not rocket science...cover the alternator and if you want to be extra safe, also cover the battery terminals and any electrical connections. Make sure engine is warm, not hot. Wet it down, spray on your cleaner of choice, agitate it with a brush to get all the dirt off, hose it off. Then if you want spray on a dressing. I use 303 Aerospace Protectant.

07-11-2004, 09:04 PM	#17
donmei S204 Racer Car: 04 WRB STi Fav Mod: Trailer Hitch Location: CT, U.S.A. Posts: 3,139 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I high pressure spray it from about 5 ft away when I wash the car. Its not really high pressure by then, but gets the crud off the engine. Espescially in the winter, that scoop brings all kind of crap in there. Don

07-12-2004, 12:56 PM	#18
majmun Junior STI Driver Posts: 125 Join Date: Jun 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I use Orange Blast. Works awesome and doesn't leave a residue for dirt to stick to.

07-12-2004, 01:02 PM	#19
b_boy Junior STI Driver Posts: 124 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I wrap the alternator in a drytowel and use a neutral soap (Simply Green, Mother's, P21S). I've used a garden hose or a 1500 psi sprayer. I never blast the anything too hard. I use the neutral soap because I fear corrosion, so (it sounds crazy, but I've seen it done) don't use oven cleaner on the car. Yes it cuts grease, but it will dissolve rubber too. Stay away from acid/caustic cleaners, unfortunately they are also the ones that cut grease the best. They will say on the bottle/can if the are acidic or caustic (basic).

11-14-2007, 02:42 PM	#26
ATiM0TEA Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Location: AL Posts: 45 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Cleaning the MOTOR Can the engine be cold? Is that okay? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.