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Cleaning Up The Engine

BigRed61

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BigRed61 Enthusiast

BigRed61

Posted
Posted

First off I am pretty new to Chevy's and car in general, I had a '65 V-Dub that I would wrench on, but compared to my chevy I feel like it was a go cart really.....Any way, winter is about over here, and I had popped the hood the other day and discovered how dusty and dirty my engine compartment had gotten, I really like the look of a clean engine and I was wanting to clean mine, is it as simple as spraying it down w/ a hose or pressure cleaner? The little common sense voice in my head says no, but I thought I would ask.

 

Ashton

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted

If you use a pressure washer, do it on low pressure, fan spray...not the jet stream...you can use any all purpose cleaner in there.

 

I do this a few times a year...clean it down good let it dry or use a leaf blower, than I wipe down all the plastic with some armor-all.

 

Your not gonna hurt anything with the hose or fan spray man. There's no carb to fill up...and everything else is pretty waterproof.

mercenarygod Enthusiast

mercenarygod

Posted
Posted

I've been wanting to do this forever, I'm just nervous. Just cover the alternator, air filter, and battery and your suppose to be good to go. Though I still feel like I'm gonna mess something. up. I have a do it yourself car wash by my apartment, I really need to just suck it up and do it >_<

mercenarygod Enthusiast

mercenarygod

Posted
Posted

Just a quick question guys, I have some materiel on the bottem of my hood, most likely noise dampener, is it alright to use degreaser on that? It's pretty dirty.

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted
Just a quick question guys, I have some materiel on the bottem of my hood, most likely noise dampener, is it alright to use degreaser on that? It's pretty dirty.

Yup

No need to bag anything...just don't soak the crap out of it....unless you have a CAI with open filter.

 

Remember, the dirt gets there from water splashing on the engine.... :lol:

 

I do it a few times a year...Haven't hurt anything yet. I have done it with several vehicles now....and we use to do it in every garage I worked in.

 

If you have stubborn grease on there spray it with 50/50 water and degreaser and let it sit for a bit.

mercenarygod Enthusiast

mercenarygod

Posted
Posted

Thanks man, I actually have the confedence now to clean it. 5 years comming and the engine will finally get a cleaning. Got the "Gunk Engine Brite Heavy Duty Gel Engine Degreaser" haha!

 

Just a quick question guys, I have some materiel on the bottem of my hood, most likely noise dampener, is it alright to use degreaser on that? It's pretty dirty.

Yup

No need to bag anything...just don't soak the crap out of it....unless you have a CAI with open filter.

 

Remember, the dirt gets there from water splashing on the engine.... :lol:

 

I do it a few times a year...Haven't hurt anything yet. I have done it with several vehicles now....and we use to do it in every garage I worked in.

 

If you have stubborn grease on there spray it with 50/50 water and degreaser and let it sit for a bit.

 

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted
Thanks man, I actually have the confedence now to clean it. 5 years comming and the engine will finally get a cleaning. Got the "Gunk Engine Brite Heavy Duty Gel Engine Degreaser" haha!

That's some heavy duty cleaner...don't do it on an asphalt driveway...you'll have discoloration everywhere...and try not to get any on the firewall paint.

 

Oh and it smells like diesel and will for a couple days.

 

I use all purpose degreaser, the stuff you put the siphon hose in with the pressure washer. Dawn dish liquid works good too. If I have to use the Gunk stuff I always wash it after with dawn....kills the smell quite a bit.

 

Like I said....don't soak things like the alternator down, but its ok to spray it.

peteking Enthusiast

peteking

Posted
Posted
Simple green works well

 

+1 on the Simple Green---works great and it's not the most expensive cleaner out there. It's discolored my aluminum block a bit...but that doesn't really matter to me.

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