Cleaning top of engine - what do you use and how do you use it?

[RarlyL8]

My motor no longer has that "just rebuilt" look it did a few years ago. I want it back.
What products do you use to clean the dust and oily grime off the top of your engines? How do you apply it without doing harm to the electrical system?
Thanks

[Zeke]

I have seen a lot of this subject over the last 3 years. I know you've been looking at the archives, so I'm not going to say, "Do a search."

I use Simple Green. Others like the engine cleaner by one of the oil companies. I can't think of the name, Castrol or something. Don't use Greased Lightening, it will dull the painted surfaces. So, test what you do use.

After the SG, I use a little ArmourAll on the motor as a dressing and then blow, wipe and dry it off as much as possible. Very particular types would abhor this process, but it helps to coat things so that the next time you clean, everything comes off that much easier.

SG and ARM don't stink like Gunk and those types of emulsion cleaners.

[randywebb]

Start with a shop-vac & scraper - try to get the dust and debris reduced so it doesn't get into the fins, etc.

I call the Castrol stuff Purple... It will destroy paint faster than a long blink of the eye - so be reallly realllllly careful.

SG is not the best for Al or Mg alloy so be sure it is all flushed out - esp. where you can't see...

Generally, realize that you are dealing with 2 types of crud -- polar and non-polar (oily). So you might think about 2 types of cleaners.

I'd finish with brake cleaner before doing a coating of any type.

Mask of all elec. stuff really well; direct sprays away form the elec. stuff; and do it all in sunny weather.

A good place to do it is at a car wash that recycles their wash water - call around (more likely in Ill. than Ala.). Don't let it go down the drains in the street and don't let your neighbors see you do anything they might call the City on... Send wives/gf's out of town for a couple days.

[RarlyL8]

Thanks for the replies.
What I'm looking for more than the chemicals used is the WAY this is done. How do the Dealerships do it? Do you spray the motor with degreaser and then hose it down with water? How do they get the entire engine campartment to look brand new and shiny? I really have reservations about hosing down the engine. I don't treat it the way I did my old Chevy hot rods, just hosing 'em down.

[86 911]

I remember a similair post and some experts chimed in on Simple Green. Ah, here it is: Engine and ngine bay Degrease

Hope this helps! BTW, I still use Simple Green.

[blue82coupe]

86 911.. You need to post more often!!! Dan

[FrayAdjacent911]

A fellow Pelican advised to try Gunk Foaming Engine Bright. I'll be trying it soon, as my engine is FILTHY.

[austin552]

Simple green worked for me!
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/737741

[86 911]

Originally posted by blue82coupe
86 911.. You need to post more often!!! Dan

Don't worry, there'll be the "1000th post" thread in the OT section coming up soon. I have some "gracious drive photos" that I took today too that I'm itching to start a thread about... or are you talking about seeing my avatar more often?

[86 911]

Originally posted by austin552
Simple green worked for me!
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/737741

Austin, I see the comment "964c4" posted on your Car Domain. I got the same exact comment from him as well! What's up with that ("you are the lucky winner of...")??

[blue82coupe]

Matt I'm certain you can add a lot to this forum... but of all the jiggly avatars that Iv'e seen.... yours is the best. Dan

Originally posted by 86 911
Don't worry, there'll be the "1000th post" thread in the OT section coming up soon. I have some "gracious drive photos" that I took today too that I'm itching to start a thread about... or are you talking about seeing my avatar more often?

[austin552]

Originally posted by 86 911
Austin, I see the comment "964c4" posted on your Car Domain. I got the same exact comment from him as well! What's up with that ("you are the lucky winner of...")??

Dont know, some BS he was dishing out to all the 911 owners.

[86 911]

Originally posted by blue82coupe
Matt I'm certain you can add a lot to this forum... but of all the jiggly avatars that Iv'e seen.... yours is the best. Dan

Thanks blue82coupe. Thank Stijn (svandamme) for making it all possible though!

Austin, thanks, so it's not just me. For a moment I thought he might have been legit with his sincerce comments and highly detailed profile page, but it must just be a scam .

[iamchappy]

Detailers use Kerosene out of a spray pump, thats how the used car dealers get those like new looking engine compartments. I found the orange citrus cleaners do a nice job at getting everything clean looking and leaves the plastic parts with a nice sheen.

[alf]

I used Orange Citrus with great results. Got rid of all the grease build up on the pan as well...smells nice too.

Chappy
Straight Kerosene or diluted?

alf

[randywebb]

Have the engine warm & running at idle to hose it down. Avoid elec. areas!, but it is ok to spray water in there.

If you warm it up and hose it while not running, then you will miss knowing that a particular area you sprayed killed the motor (and to go dry that out).

[blue82coupe]

Anyway.. I used WD40.. compressed air ..brushes,and lots of paper towels. To shine it all up .. plain ole Lemon Pledge. Dan

[iamchappy]

I believe straight. I have watched them do it at the detailers shop.

[azasadny]

Simple Green, hot water and a set of brushes in different sizes... rinse well!

[jyl]

I hose down the engine about every other car wash, then close lid, start engine, and let it dry out. I avoid spraying right at the distributor and other electrical bits, and haven't had a problem. After all, the engine compartment is basically exposed to rain, so I figure Porsche must have built in a bit of water resistance.

If there's dirty spots I use some dishwashing detergent on a sponge, or some citrus degreaser. Then I use Armor All on the black plastic bits and WD-40 on the exposed steel bits.