Cleaning engine/underbody

I am thinking about giving my car a bit of engine and underbody (and inside the fenders) cleaning. I have a fair idea what products I want to use (but would like suggestions), but have a couple of questions:

1. What stuff do I need to be careful of around the engine 1975 CIS (electrical etc)

2. What on the engine and underbody needs to be "protected" afterwards - i.e. is there stuff which will rust if not protected, are there various moving parts which specifically need relubing, etc?

Thanks for all assistance.



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Cameron Baudinet
1975 911S

Cameron, no one has replied so I will. You've asked a big question. I would avoid spraying water into the engine compartment. Ignitions systems should not get wet, and water can even get into the heads - spark plug area - if you spray. I would just carefully wipe. Wiping also promotes emotional bonding.

Lots of stuff should be lubed from time to time and I won't get itno that, except to say that I am still curious about (I've heard of) a requirement o lube a throttle return spring. I don't understand lubing springs.

but the body of your car is in peril. Rust kills Porsches, and I believe yours may have been build just before they started "dipping" the cars for anti-rust reasons. So, it makes sense to take a hose to the inside corners of body panels to get the mud out, so moisture is not held onto those places where it can promote rust. I am in a rainy area (Western Washington), so I do this when I wash the car, which happens regularly. I have thengine out now and am wondering if there is a way to "kill" the rust and then put a coating on the insides of these body panels to better protect the steel. Any suggestions out there?

Cameron, if you have MORE SPECIFIC questions let us know.

Thanks - I like the bit about emotional bonding.

I guess the more specific question is that I will use simple green to clean in the engine bay and around the transmission, and was thinking about cleaning the suspension arms etc the same way. I just want to check that I will not dissolve off any sort of anti-rust wax treatment etc by doing this.

I rinse the fenders etc as well, but don't want to go at them with anything harsh in case it damages the undercoat.

So I think I'm just going to stick to a good engine wiping session :-)


Thanks

Cam

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Cameron Baudinet
1975 911S

A little while after we got our 1987 Porsche over six years ago I bought one of the lower priced pressure washers and got an angled nozzle that I use to clean the bottom, fender wells, along the oil cooler lines on the right side and in the gaps where the bumpers and seals mate together. The first time I washed things off there was a bunch of sand, gravel, etc that came out and I was shocked. I use the "orange" cleaner although the "green" cleaner works as well and I use a connection to our hot water line. Be aware that the hose can blow aapart when they get hot as I found out. Good luck.