Engine Cleaning...

SLPR_04 · June 29, 2007

I have two questions to ask. First off, which degreaser is the best to use. If I knew the names of some products I would have made a poll about this. But it has been a long while since I have done an engine wash I have kinda fell out of the loop as what to use. I used to use CRC product for this.

Now for the second question. What all do I need to cover up to do this wash (coils, throttle body"drive by wire")? All I used to have to cover up was the distributor and carb. But those days are long gone. I am guessing that most of the connections are weather proofed to a degree? I will be using just a garden hose not a pressure washer to do the cleaning.

Thanks in advance,

Kenn

Padlin · June 30, 2007

I have two questions to ask. First off, which degreaser is the best to use. If I knew the names of some products I would have made a poll about this. But it has been a long while since I have done an engine wash I have kinda fell out of the loop as what to use. I used to use CRC product for this.

Now for the second question. What all do I need to cover up to do this wash (coils, throttle body"drive by wire")? All I used to have to cover up was the distributor and carb. But those days are long gone. I am guessing that most of the connections are weather proofed to a degree? I will be using just a garden hose not a pressure washer to do the cleaning.

Thanks in advance,

Kenn

I've been cleaning my engines once a year for a long time (25 years +/-), I use whatever is on sale or cheap so no help there.

Since they did away with distributors, carbs, and such, I haven't covered anything. I do wet down the vehicles body with the hood closed before I spray the degreaser and again before I hose it off. Figure the degreaser can't be good for the paint. I do my engines just before a wax job.

Bruce03Silverado · July 6, 2007

I use Adams polishes all purpose cleaner - it can be diluted and used on the finest of wheel, etc but also can be used on the engine bay, wheel wells, etc.

www.adamspolishes.com

Draenor · July 6, 2007

I have always used simple green, its affordable and it gets the job done. Spray liberally and use a mist on the garden hose to rinse.

Nytemare · July 6, 2007

gunk is good, but it smells like diesel for a week.

Bets I have used is wheel purpose wheel cleaner. Gets the job done quick. I than use my steam cleaner after for small detail work.

SLPR_04 · July 7, 2007

Thanks for the input guys. I am mainly looking for something that is not going to bleach out the black plastic parts under the hood. Gunks is good stuff, but you are right it smells pretty bad afterwards.

Bruce03Silverado · July 7, 2007

Thanks for the input guys. I am mainly looking for something that is not going to bleach out the black plastic parts under the hood. Gunks is good stuff, but you are right it smells pretty bad afterwards.

Be careful with simple green - it has been known to corrode aluminum so I don't use it under my hood. The Adams APC works great either at full strength or diluted for under the hood. It also isn't harsh on the tires like Simple Green can be. It's a great cleaner that can be used directly on the tires then on your rims - no need for a separate cleaner for both.

Bruce03Silverado · July 7, 2007

Here's a picture I took of my Firehawk's engine bay for a Fathers Day car show at my church a few weeks ago....I used the Adams APC along with the Adams VRT (viynl, rubber & tire) on the areas I could reach by hand, and on the hoses, etc I couldn't reach I used the Adams In & Out Spray. Nice thing is that it's all dry to the touch - no greasy look or feel.

SLPR_04 · July 8, 2007

Well Bruce, the picture sold me. That is what I call a clean engine compartment. How long in between cleanings can it go? I will do some more research into Adams and find a local seller. Thanks for the heads up on this stuff.

Kenn

Bruce03Silverado · July 8, 2007

Well Bruce, the picture sold me. That is what I call a clean engine compartment. How long in between cleanings can it go? I will do some more research into Adams and find a local seller. Thanks for the heads up on this stuff.

Kenn

I can go quite a bit w/o having to do too much work to clean it. Whenever I wash it though I always have to dry off the air box after raising the hood from the excess water but it stays pretty clean. One thing I have used that helps a lot is a batter powered leaf blower - I use that to get all the excess water out of the places on the vehicles I can't get to with a towel. It also works great at maintaining the engine bay. Go to www.adamspolishes.com

They have links on their where they show you how to use the products - very very helpful. As a side note, a very good friend of mine is an Adam's distributor and if you make your purchases on line use the promo code of "RICE" (his last name) and you will receive 10% off your order! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me!!

***I am not associated with Adams in any way and do not have a vested interest in them - my buddy happens to sell it and he gave me some samples to use and I am just passing along my experiences - the stuff works.