Cleaned the engine today...

1. Put plastic bag around CAI air filter so it doesn't get wet.

2. Spray Simple Green liberally over entire engine.

3. Let Simple Green sit on engine for about 5 minutes.

4. Use brush to scrub stubborn spots.

5. Rinse engine throughly.

6. Start engine to help drying process...

7. Start engine again to help drying process...

8. Start engine yet again to help drying process...

9. Start engine for the forth time to help drying process....

10. REMOVE PLASTIC FROM CAI FILTER!

11. Refer back to step 6.

12. Towel dry any remaining water.

13. Order new FRPP CAI replacement filter.

 

one thing about simple green- the past couple years they were using it at work to clean about everything on the machines, and its a great degreaser- but I noticed it was the culprit causing all the membrane keyboards on all our Fanuc CNC/Robot controls to shrink/crack- certain vinyls it changes from supple to 'eggshell' within hours of contact with a strong mix... guys at work like to mix the simple green up at 25% or higher, it will cause the keys on a new keyboard to start crumbling the day they clean it...it will even strip some paints

I buy Fantastik or 409 (they seem to be the same except the color) by the gallons for cleaning anything, and have NEVER seen any adverse reactions to it...Ive used Fantastik to clean prior to repairing everything from printed circuit boards to hydraulic pumps, never any problems- certain other stuff though can really make plastics get stiff/brittle/crumble.
soak with fantastic, brush gently with a big soft bristle paintbrush, blow dry...I think theres enough alcohol in it it evaporates pretty quick and dont leave a film behind. we've had dozens of cleaners over the years, Ive been stuck on Fantastik though for the last 15...the ONLY thing ive seen it 'hurt' was taking ink printing off of SOME EPROM labels- but I think even water will do that on some inks

next on my wishlist is a parts cleaner in the garage filled with Fantastik

 

Thanks for the heads up. Purple flavored degreasers seem to be quite harsh too.

 

Most definitely not the first time this has happened on this forum. You sir have steeled my resolve to attach a tag to my keys with that exact saying when I do my engine bay so that there is no way I do this and become the #12,382nd person on this forum to do that.

 

the only thing you have to cover is the intake? seems really scary with all the electronics in there.

i used to hose down my 66 engine bay all the time, but i would think i would short out something if i hosed down my 07.

 

...I needed to attach a note to my keys that say "take car out of gear!"


(Has happened more than once to me... the worst was while i had the front end up on jack stands... ouch)

 

I try to put a tag on my keys that says "remove chocks".

I backed my car onto my ramps, and when i was done i tried pulling forward, wondering why I couldnt drive off of them... i gave it more gas and launched the ramps out of the garage

maybe create a checklist on the wall, and hang the keys on it...

 

As somebody who habitually washes the engine down (actually washed all the stickers and paint off of my 91 LX years ago) I can attest to regularly washing your engine not harming anything. The only area I dont really focus on with the pressure washer is the power distribution box. IIRC Ford reccomends covering it with something when you do wash the engine compartment, but I've yet to have any problems by not doing so.

This includes washing the hood blanket as well.

 

Yikes, i'd worry about Simple Green corroding all of the aluminum bits on the engine. Like the throttle body. Simple green is great when diluted and it is only on there less than a minute. Actually Simple green is kind of overkill. If you need to use simple green to keep your engine clean then you have some major oil leak issues.

I just use plain old Meguire's car soap and a soft bristle brush on the engine compartment.

 

A dirty engine that runs well is worth more than a clean engine that runs like crap in my eyes

 

Found out the best thing to clean all engine related parts, including rubber/plastic parts with no problems was "Super Clean " and it add a cup to the wash when you do your coveralls and it takes out all the grease and grime. you can pick it up at Walmart, Target, most automotive stores and even at hardware stores. it is a good all around degreaser.

 

I wouldn't know Never had a clean engine run like crap and I can't tolerate a dirty engine at all.

 

At 11,400 miles my GT motor is still factory clean and has never been out in sand salt, etc...

 

I've got 20k on my GT500 and the engine bay still looks as clean as when it rolled off the dealers lot.

My only problem with the GT500 as a DD is all them **** rocks thrown up by tires and such <--- alot of people can get me there since I live in the sticks again (gotta change loc) where paving the road usually involves spraying tar on the road and dropping gravel and sand but hell its a good trade off every time I get the chance to mash the pedal

 

My procedure for cleaning the engine bay:
1. Towel over battery and over air filter.
2. Spray down open hood and hood liner, let water drip/drain down onto engine. Light spraying on engine.
3. After most of hood liner has stopped dripping/draining, spray engine bay plastics with diluted Meguiar's Hyper Dressing.
4. Close hood and wash rest of car (40 mins?)
5. Open hood, wipe away hyper dressing. Enjoy shine for a month.

 

I've never tried cleaning the engine bay but I'd like to this summer. What parts need to be covered before spraying down the engine? I know Meguires has an engine degreaser and Hyper dressing are those all you need to accomplish the task?

Thanks