Washing the LS1 engine.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: S'port
Washing the LS1 engine. I know that I could damn near submerse my 5.0 Stangs in a tank of water with no ill effects, but how does the LS1 take to washing? Any paticular areas to avoid? I have always used Simple Green in the past for engine washing as it will not damage aluminum or cause plactic to become "chalky". Any thoughts??
Re: Washing the LS1 engine. Put some plastic around some of the sensors that are visible and cover the module that's on your top passenger side. On the left there is a fuse box, cover that and the alternator. And of course take out the air filter and u r set. Simple green is good but there is another degreaser at Home Depot that works good(orange something, forgot the name)w/ a pressure washer.Good luck! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Re: Washing the LS1 engine. KNOCK SENSORS!
Short story long:
For the love of crap watch your knock sensors. They are located under the intake manifold, one at the front, one at the back. They are in 3" deep holes, and if they get water in them, it stays. Messing up the KS's will make you pull 3.97 degrees of knock retard at all times. You will get an SES light after the car hits 157 degrees and a few other conditions are met.
Long story short:
Dont spray directly on top of the motor, nor towards the back, nor towards the front. Everything else is fine, just dont hose the top of the motor down, youll thank me later. Ask Predator!
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Short story long:
For the love of crap watch your knock sensors. They are located under the intake manifold, one at the front, one at the back. They are in 3" deep holes, and if they get water in them, it stays. Messing up the KS's will make you pull 3.97 degrees of knock retard at all times. You will get an SES light after the car hits 157 degrees and a few other conditions are met.
Long story short:
Dont spray directly on top of the motor, nor towards the back, nor towards the front. Everything else is fine, just dont hose the top of the motor down, youll thank me later. Ask Predator!
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Re: Washing the LS1 engine. I use Griots Engine Cleaner on mine... after spraying it on I let it set for about 5 minutes, then hose it off.
I just spray it down pretty quick with light pressure, I don't cover anything up beforehand. No problems... I've done it several times.
I just spray it down pretty quick with light pressure, I don't cover anything up beforehand. No problems... I've done it several times.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Native Texan
Re: Washing the LS1 engine. I would use air to blow the enigne off then use some type of damp towel to wipe down the rest of the engine compartment. The reason for my this is that I ruined a knock sensor by washing my enigne bay, and I did not even spray toward the front of the intake.
Later,
Bart
Later,
Bart
Re: Washing the LS1 engine. I cover everything in Simple Green and then hose it down with light pressure. I don't cover anything up at all and everything gets wet. Then I just wipe it down with a towel and crank the engine and let it run for about 5 minute. I've done it to all my LS1s with NO problems...
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TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Re: Washing the LS1 engine. I've used the green stuff a few times and also the wheel cleaner that is sold a Martha Stewart's place....
just spray it on leave it for a few minutes and hose it off ...no problem...
just spray it on leave it for a few minutes and hose it off ...no problem...
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Re: Washing the LS1 engine. I just take my car up to the local "wash it yourself" pressurewash place and high pressure soap and then high pressure wash it. Have been doing this for over 32,000 miles now with no problems. I have even at times (though I try to avoid it) hit the computer with direct force and have had no problems.
Chris
Chris
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Re: Washing the LS1 engine. One more vote for Simple Green. Cover the computer/fuse boxes etc 1:1 dilution, get the motor hot leave it running, hose it down, spray on simple green, let it run while i wash about half the car, hose it off, let it run till i finish and vio`la...clean motor. Wipe it down with a towel afterwords and it looks great. If you really want some shine, CD2 engine detailer (auto zone, pep boys etc) is tops, But cover your belts before you use that stuff. Havent had any problems yet. But im not so vain that after reading these post, if i ever come up with 3-4 deg of kr, the sensors will get replaced and i will stop hosing down the motor.
