Engine cleaning

[withac]

I asked this back on TF but didn't print out the responses, besides, we want to start building up the info here, right? So what is the best way to clean your engine? All the electrical connections make me nervous, especially where there is a coil over every cylinder. My wife has a steam cleaner, you know the kind, has a wand that shoots out a pretty good stream of steam. Would take a while to go over things inch by inch but it might work. Other ideas?

 

[YNOT]

every spring i cover my alternator, using the shower setting wet the engine, spray full strength simple green and let it sit a minute, then use rinse still using the shower setting again. if you want wipe it down with meguairs plastic conditioner/shiner.

if its real bad on the valve covers then use some degreaser on those areas, but i've simple greened all my stuff every spring like that, never had a problem.

here's my 6 year old silverado 5.3 that i just sold, you can eat off it and it only takes a couple minutes to do.

 

[TheFuzz]

Holy shit YNOT, that looks incredible. Just simple green, a hose and some elbow grease, eh? I might do that when I get back into town next week.

 

[thumper_ehhhhh]

What I do for cleaning is. Gently spray the engine compartment down with a hose. I use fantastic. I spray that on everything. I either wipe or scrub everything depending on build up. I then spray it down again just a light spray of water. I then take my air compressor with 40 psi or less I blow as much water off as I can. I then spray then wipe mcguires supreme shine on everything. This is how it turns out. Both ran fine after cleaning also.
2004 Burb 1st clean



2001 Astro first clean after years of not washing.

 

[withac]

Thanks guys. Do you need to cover every single coil?

 

[YNOT]

Holy shit YNOT, that looks incredible. Just simple green, a hose and some elbow grease, eh? I might do that when I get back into town next week.

not even elbow grease, just a little bit of time. i still have to do the tahoe i just bought. i'll have to do a before and after for it.

 

[Modded]

I wash mine every 1month and a half with just prssured water since I got it, at that, it always looks brand new!!

 

[blueflamed03]

Simple Green

 

[thumper_ehhhhh]

I cant speak for the others but I cover nothing. I also dont aim the hose directly at the alternator.

 

[blueflamed03]

put a large sandwich baggie around it with a rubberband.