Thread: engine degreasing

I have recentley fixed a coolant leak and 3 oil leaks on my engine, and the aftermath is a filthy mess of an 1/8 inch of black grime on the bottom half of my engine.

What do I need to make sure to cover up before hitting the engine bay with simple green?

- duct tape across valvecover (cover spark plugs)
- wrap maf in foil
- wrap popcharger and filter in foil

anything else?

When I do it, I also cover up the alternator and any exposed electrical connection (plugs). I usually use foil or plastic bags. The plastic bags you have to rip to appropriate size and then use tape to wrap tight. They take a little longer than the foil but also do a better job if you take your time.

i always tape accross the valve cover and bag the dizzy. i put a bag over the battery and i would suggest sealing off the altinator and completely as possible. everything else is good to go.

i always have a few cans of oven cleaner as well as normal engine degreaser. the oven cleaner is hard core and will haze the paint in your engine bay. but it wont remove paint like brake clean and it does an amazing job on bare metal and rubber. just dont let it sit to long on rubber parts.

does your hood have one of those black heat sheilds on the under side? if not use some normal car wash with wax in it and wash it like you do your car. it will shine it up really nice and reflect your engine



all connectors under the hood have rubber gaskets in them makeing them weather resistant. no need for that unless it is damaged. and useing foil on an electrical connector you fear will be damaged by water is a bad idea..........the foil will complete the circuit with a water soaked connect much faster than simply haveing it un coverd.

fonque is that broilly or how ever you spell it on your avatar?

WTF?? off topic like mofo.

anyways, I like Sray 9. I never cover anything and nothing every went bad.

i have a bad experiance with not covering the alt............first time i cleaned my engine all the grime ran down inside it and killed it. it sucked really bad.



you can also use "gum cutter 2+2" for any spots that are really badly dirtied.......gum cutter will eat through thick layers of grime.

nope not broli, its zaraki kenpachi.

And I think I will cover my alt, I am not trying to have to replace this thing again. But I really want to wash my alternator it has a ton of corrosion and buildup on the casing.

For the valve cover and distributor, Im going to pull the plugs and tape over the holes. Then it will be easier to wrap the dizzy in plastic/foil.

you should do a before and after and make it a sticky for all too see if you could, i dont think anyone has done it yet

I have always used Simple Green full strength with the dizzy covered and that's it. Never had any issues and I have done this over and over. Especially that a white engine bay is a bitch to keep clean.

A nice little secret.. what to make it really shine. Use Armor All tire shine foam. Spray it all over the motor and let it dry. It will amaze you.

ohhh haha bleach i should have known