How to clean engine bay

[sceneiskeen]

Whats the best way to clean the engine bay. Can i just spray everything with a degreasser and rub it down with a brush/toothbrush/cloth. and then wash it off?

What should i avoid spraying? and how long should i let it dry before i crank it. i dont want to ruin anything electrical.

Any pics or info would be appreciated. :)

im putting the car in a show this saturday and want it to be spotless.

[SilverRS96]

Re: How to clean engine bay

i wouldnt do it on ur LT1. Opti's dont like water and ur wallet. When i cleaned mine i used a rag and some scotch pads to get it looking better. It worked well. Takes some time but its worth it.

[hockeyman]

Re: How to clean engine bay

When I clean any engine bay, I start with a cold engine, or one that hasn't been running in a few hours.

-Open hood and cover the air filter if it's open (like a cold air kit).
-Take a hose and wet the entire engine bay.
-Spray degreaser on the area's that are the most dirty/greasy, and use Dawn dishwashing liquid on the other area's. I try to get soap on everything under the hood.
-Scrub any area's (that can be reached) with a tire brush or something equivalent.
-Let sit for about 15-20 minutes.
-Re-spray with the garden hose to remove soap/degreaser.
-Let sit for about 5 minutes to drip, then start the engine with the hood "open".
-Let the engine run for about 5 minutes to burn off most excess water. This is where you'll see lot's-'o-steam...almost like reverse-seafoaming :D
-Close hood then wash & wax the car because of residue on the windshield, fenders, etc.

I take an empty spray bottle, put about 1/4 cup of Dawn Dishwashing liquid in it, and fill the rest with warm water. LIGHTLY mix it up and use that to spray on the engine. That gives me a really good soapy mix that'll clean most of the dirt from an engine bay.

I never cleaned an LT1 yet, but if the opti-spark thingy doesn't like water (like mentioned above), I'd try to steer clear of it, or somehow cover it.

[Meatyshells]

Re: How to clean engine bay

cover the pcm too

[truekoa]

Re: How to clean engine bay

cover alternator ?

[Meatyshells]

Re: How to clean engine bay

didnt seem to matter for me

[RPDRed6]

Re: How to clean engine bay

another good trick i learned a few nights ago is to use tire foam on the black rubber parts (hoses etc) polishes it up real nice after you let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, stays shiny too. just make sure to avoid getting it on the electronics and belts

[Richardcoelho]

Re: How to clean engine bay

quite simple,just cover the PCM,ALTERNATOR,K&N and possibly the MAF just incase if it is cracked and you would want to avoid wetting the coil packs,when every thing is covered spray the entire engine bay with formula 88 degreaser let it sit for a minute or until it is about to dry,then hose it of,if need use a small brush or tooth brush to scrub areas thick with grease while the degreaser is working,then hose it off,i found it easier to remove the belt,more access,after that leave the hood open and let it dry possible the entire day or at least a couple of hours so most of the water runs off after that start the engine and let it run for bout 5 mins or until it's dry after it is dryed completely spray WD40 over the entire engine bay,just enough to make a very thin layer,then crank up the engine and take it for a spin,you might smell and see smoke but thas from the WD40 burning on the headers,after the engine has warmed up your good to go,the WD40 has now created a nice layer that looks great and has a nice shine,all my LS1 buddies still compliment me for having the cleanest engine bay and the cleanest v6 unlike there dirty *** LS1's lol.Hope your engine turns out good.