Cleaning Engine Bay

[Billy Mild]

Would it be a bad idea to clean the engine bay? I would like to power wash it to get all the gunk off.

[KILLSHOTS]

Yeah, you're going to want to be VERY careful doing that. A couple months ago, I covered my engine and intake with towels and plastic and just went to town. Something got wet and my #1 circuit (courtesy lights, a/c control, radio antenna, etc.) was shot. I chased it for over 2 weeks and finally had to take it to an electrician.

I always thought that the engine was the only part that was sensitive to water but I learned otherwise. I'll never go under the hood with a hose again. Be careful!!

[Billy Mild]

I see guys who pull their plenum then cover up the ports to power wash the engine themselves.

[We Gone]

I do the engine by hand, to do the bay itself I cover the engine with a canvas tarp remove everything I can and wash away.

http://imageshack.com/a/img19/3499/x5bv.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/6409/B2PYe2.jpg

[Dime]

Any recommendation on what cleaners/degreasers to use?

[We Gone]

Any recommendation on what cleaners/degreasers to use?

I used 50% diluted greased-lightning and my pressure washer with a low pressure wide tip. Than rinsed very well many times with water to be sure no residue was left on or under the suspension or spring .

[KILLSHOTS]

Go ahead, spray it down. I hope you're an electrician.

[GOLDCYLON]

I would only introduce water to the engine bay if it was on a moist rag. One of the major reasons most of us have went to powder coating which is more durable than the original silver and black BBQ paint as it fades and stains over time. The only way to truly clean the engine is to pull it apart, rattle can it or spray it and clean as you go. Otherwise the results are not that great. Keep in mind our cars are getting longer in the tooth introducing water into the 25 year old wiring and into the underside of the galley if its plugged may cause all types of problems as Chris points out above

[mike100]

I'm very careful not to introduce water under the plenum and of course the alternator. I cover those and avoid direct spray there. Once cleaned the first time, you won't need to wash the engine top again except by clean, damp rags etc.

1)always wash a cool engine- never after a long drive- you might crack the TPS sensor potentiometer.
2) on the black engine bay parts use diluted simple green if very greasy, but mainly I prefer car wash soap and an old sponge I use for engine bay cleaning. old towels also work for the rubdown too.

that's it.

[5ABI VT]

I haven't done it to either of my c4s I don't feel there is a need. All the components can be wiped individually or reached etc with spray bottle and rags but I have done several cars in the recent years.

I use diluted simple green and water. Dishwashing brushes (various ones). On a cool/cold motor I just spray the stuff on and let it sit. Then I brush gently to loosen dirst. After that with a hose turned on for little flow and NO nozzle on it.. just let it spill over the motor taking the grime away. No pressure at all.

This was my old 01 z28 I picked up. It looked worse but it was raining and it got the front wet but it was all white with dirt/grime buildup too.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb463/Emm3Speed/01%20Z28/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000471_zpsjj57uiwf.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/Emm3Speed/media/01%20Z28/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000471_zpsjj57uiwf.jpg.html)

SImple green.. brushes.. Just start brushing away
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb463/Emm3Speed/01%20Z28/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000472_zpsgwyals1r.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/Emm3Speed/media/01%20Z28/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000472_zpsgwyals1r.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb463/Emm3Speed/01%20Z28/00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000004A4_zpsjiz5rd85.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/Emm3Speed/media/01%20Z28/00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000004A4_zpsjiz5rd85.jpg.html)

[Roadster]

Nice work......that engine bay looks great.......