Do any of you guys know how to clean the engine? Mine is getting really dusty. I was thinking of just using a wet rag, but don't know how safe this is for the engine (yes i am mechanically retarded, lol). Plus it seems this way would take a hell of a long time and would be tough to get into all the small areas.

 

I was reading somewhere just take some simple green (household cleaner you can get at lowe's, meijer's, hardware store) pour it on the engine, start it, drive it a lil, then hose it off...... Never tried it though.

 

one thing i have used for awhile now is wd-40. start your car. and spray whatever you want cleaned with wd40. let it sit for about 3-4 min. then hose it off with a lite mist of water. next time you want to clean it alls it takes is a rag and dirt, grease and grime come right off and leaves you with a beautiful shine on it too.

 

I used GUNK it smells like oranges and gass mix works verry well read directions. then befor shows I soak my engine with armorall original let it sit 10 min and your engine looks show quality ! ive been doing this 4 about 3 years and it looks great!

 

If u want to get serious: I have Griots Garage Care's products. I have an engine cleaner kit that comes with a metal brush, bronze brush etc. (4 brushes). It has a spray to clean the engine along w/ a gloss to spray at the end to make everything look new. The first step was to cover everything up (plugs/electrical connections).

 

If our engine is real greasy, you may need to use the chemical/foam sprays (like Gunk, or Powerfoam) and brushes.

I use SimpleGreen a few times per year to get the dust and light grim off and it works real well.

-Spray the entire engine compartment with SimpleGreen (50/50 mix if not too dirty; otherwise 100%.)
-Wait a few minutes.
-Rinse engine compartment with garden hose.
-Dry engine compartment with leaf blower.
-Spray electrical cnnections with WD40.
-Wash/polish entire car to get rid of water spots.

 

I am always afraid of getting water in my intake snorkle. Do you have to cover it?

 

every time I wash my car I always take an old shop rag and kind of lightly go over stuff that looks a little funky and i use vynil protectant on the plastic peices to make them nice and shiney. kinda like preventative maintenence lol, i'd rather spend a few minutes every wash doing this than end up with a really dirty engine i can't clean easily

 

i use a spray called [mean green] or [purple power]