The Proper Cleaning of the LSx engine bay..
Originally Posted by SS_CarGuy
Is there a way to somewhat "brighten" the dulled and oxidized aluminum parts when cleaning your engine bay?
I just use water, but then again i've washed it so much its never gotten to the point of needing simple green After spraying i use Mr. Clean auto dry to keep it from spotting, wipe off, then i'll start it up for a few mins while i'm washing the car 
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: South Bend, IN
I recently got one of those steamers (the ones that look like a roll around canister vac). Says it's great for cleaning everything up to and including bbq grills and engine bays. Will have to give it a shot. Anyone have any experience, comments/suggestions/warnings about using one?
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: orange county ca.
you can use the (computer keyboard cleaner)compressed air cans that you can buy from stapes,office max etc. to clean/dry hard to reach places, its also good for getting in hard to reach places in your interior!
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
after I clean my engine I use a lite coat of wd-40 to protect the alum. to mutch is a dust catcher, but a little on a soft cloth makes it shine and keeps road grime loose for the next cleaning - I use dawn to clean up
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: dallas,tx.
When I bought my car (used, from a dealer) it had that slimey silicone **** all over the engine. I bought 2 cans of gunk engine degreaser and headed off to the quarter(now a dollar) car wash.
I sprayed the **** outta those 2 cans, and spent another 3 or 4 bucks on the high pressure sprayer. I had to rinse all the over spray off the car as well.
It got all the slime off the engine, and guess what? The car started right up, no problems.
That was four years ago, and still no problems.
Don't be so afraid of getting the engine electrics wet. Keep in mind, they are designed to be driven in the rain. A really heavy rain, at that.
In the past I have used high pressure steam to clean really oily munged up engines/engine bays.
My philosophy was if the car didn't start up after being douched like that, something needed to be fixed/replaced.
Cleaning it up did not cause the problem. The problem existed before the car got to me.
Getting it wet just exposed a problem that might leave you/your customer stranded on the side of the road on a cold rainy night.
I sprayed the **** outta those 2 cans, and spent another 3 or 4 bucks on the high pressure sprayer. I had to rinse all the over spray off the car as well.
It got all the slime off the engine, and guess what? The car started right up, no problems.
That was four years ago, and still no problems.
Don't be so afraid of getting the engine electrics wet. Keep in mind, they are designed to be driven in the rain. A really heavy rain, at that.
In the past I have used high pressure steam to clean really oily munged up engines/engine bays.
My philosophy was if the car didn't start up after being douched like that, something needed to be fixed/replaced.
Cleaning it up did not cause the problem. The problem existed before the car got to me.
Getting it wet just exposed a problem that might leave you/your customer stranded on the side of the road on a cold rainy night.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: The Republic of Texas
I have used dawn to wash the engine before but then again I have never let it get all that dirty to begin with. I use a very small amount of soap to a large amount of water. I rinse thoroughly to remove any leftover and instead of blowing the water off with a leaf blower, I use my wet/dry vac to remove it. A leafblower can force water and any debris left over across paint. I've used the compressed air to blow off small things like electronics and crevices/vents inside the interior. I also use the vac on the crevices on the body after a wash, these cars hide water everywhere. Works for me, hope it helps somene else.
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I read in a how-to article that after cleaning an engine compartment, use "CD-2" to coat the surfaces for a lasting shiney look.
Does anyone know what CD-2 is and where a person can purchase it?
Does anyone know what CD-2 is and where a person can purchase it?
Last edited by 79/99ta; Dec 30, 2004 at 04:00 PM. Reason: spelling
Originally Posted by 79/99ta
I read in a how-to article that after cleaning an engine compartment, use "CD-2" to coat the surfaces for a lasting shiney look.
Does anyone know what CD-2 is and where a person can purchase it?
Does anyone know what CD-2 is and where a person can purchase it?
Originally Posted by mc63
What does everyone use on all the black plastic and rubber hoses to make them look good?
