Cleaning engine compartment?

TerryBPP · 03-27-2003, 06:48 AM

I bought a 1976 911s about 2 months ago and have already sunk a ton of money into paint, RS interior, and engine upgardes (external). During this time I have cleaned up everything except the dirty engine compartment.

What is the best way to clean it with the engine still in?

I fear a soak with a pressure washer would reak havoc on my new MSD setup and probably knock half of my vac. hoses off. Any suggestions?

BGCarrera32 · 03-27-2003, 07:07 AM

My advice would be to hold off until you need to do the clutch or some other projects that warrant engine removal. I probably wouldn't get in there and start whipping a pressure washer around. I recently pulled mine out to do the clutch and paint the engine bay...you'd be suprised at the amount of dirt you'll find hidden in there.

Probably not the answer you wanted to hear but...

TerryBPP · 03-27-2003, 07:10 AM

It sucks because the motor and tranny were rebuilt 5k miles ago, so I should'nt have to pull it for a while. I guess I'll just leave her dirty.

targa80 · targa80's Garage

Why not do just a partial engine drop, use a hydraulic jack to lower the engine 4~6 inches after removing the two bolts holding the engine in near each rear tail light in the engine compartment. You don't have to disconnect anything to get this much room to get in there and clean the grime of with some orange clean or similar product.

Bones · Bones's Garage

There are some really good Pelican Technical articles on cleaning . One methos is to take some plastic bags to a steam clean place cover everything you might consider will suffer from water ingress (put elastic bands round the bags though) put gunk in a spray bottle , spary on , clean the engine and reapply gunk on stubborn parts , clean again. Did mine once and it was fine afterwards

jerrykrug · 03-27-2003, 10:04 AM

http://members.rennlist.com/5150targa/page16.html
this is a good "how to" on engine detailing

Have fun.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

check these out:
engine cleaning article 1

engine cleaning artlicle 2

post pictures when you're done!

Alex001 · 03-27-2003, 11:27 AM

I just covered the distributor cap and other sensitive areas with plastic grocery bags, sealed them up with rubber band, sprayed the engine with engine cleaner and then steamcleaned it. Certainly not ideal, but better than nothing and quick and painless. No trouble.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 03-27-2003, 12:14 PM

I routinely wash the engines of my cars, which range from an '83 SC to a 2003 Boxster, every time I wash the car. The old maids all get hysterical and tell me that you simply can't hose down a modern engine with all those computers, etc. etc., but in 50 years of routinely doing this, I've not once had a problem other than the occasional temporarily shorted-out plug on cars 20 or 30 years ago, when they didn't have much moisture protection. I don't use a pressure hose, I don't use steam, I don't use anything but a garden hose and P21S car wash if I'm serious about spilled oil or whatever, just regular soap-and-water carwash otherwise. And yes, my '83 SC has dual MSDs on a twin-plugged engine. Mind you, I'm not going to direct a stream of water at the MSD boxes from two inches away for five minutes, but routine wetness won't hurt them a bit. And you don't have to worry about the distributor either, if you don't cruelly hose it down. Bag it if it concerns you.

One caveat: If the tiniest bit of water gets into Weber or PMO carburetors, you'll pretty much have to disassemble them to get it out, so bag them if you're spraying.

Otherwise, soap and low-pressure water (garden-spray nozzle) have worked for me for decades. I wouldn't dream of washing a car without washing the engine.

Stephan

Randy Webb · 03-27-2003, 02:21 PM

Since we're on this topic... should I paint my engine compartment when I have the engine out soon? It's a dingy dark grey now. the car is red but I am going to change it to blue eventually. Any thoughts? What was stock?

CamB · CamB's Garage

Depends on the year of your car. From memory (and this is hotly contested), up to '72 it was satin black over body colour.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

my '85 is body color

Zeke · 03-27-2003, 04:54 PM

My method: Simple Green full strength on a warm (not hot, at least 30 min cool down) engine, followed by warm to hot water in a stream. You can leave a 100' hose out in the sun for enough hot water. Then detergent like Tide and a rinse. I put Armour All on my wet truck engine and blow it off and then wipe it dry. I've been doing this on my truck since '89 and you can eat off my engine. 180,000 miles. As for the Boxster, I've never seen the motor, LOL. As for the 911 and 356 (both sold), pretty much the same with a little more care for the electricals.

47silver · 47silver's Garage

will the cooler water hurt the engine when it is hot due to thermal contraction/expansion? i wan to clean the bottom and am afraid to douse it after it has been running or am i just paranoid?

SteveF_911 · SteveF_911's Garage

Remove the engine, it takes about 2 hours. then you can get in the engine bay and give it a good clean.

Put a weekend asside and you car put the engine on a stand and give the engine a clean as well.

CamB · CamB's Garage

Steve - I just had a look at your Pelican gallery.

I'd like to award you 2003's first award for saving a 911 from previous atrocities. I can't believe it had a kombi engine in it!