Cleaning the engine

[04Chris]

I wanted to try and clean my engine and i'm not sure of the best way to do it. My new polished accufab tb and plenum i'm getting next week will look alittle out of place with a dirty engine. Any info you guys have would be great.

 

[I-CAN-STANG]

I used an old toothbrush with some diluted simple green and a hose. It works great IMO. :-D

 

[Steeda30]

I just sprayed my entire engine bay down with "Autozone Engine Degreaser", let it sit for 15 minutes, hosed it all off, let dry. Then I sprayed the whole thing down with CD-2 Engine Detailer, let it sit for 20 minutes, then went and drove it around to set the resin. Here are some pics. The CD-2 Engine Detailer has been discontinued and may be hard to locate. I found a nice supply of it a few weeks ago at AutoZone and picked up 10 cans .

 

[Five4Rider]

Damn, looks excellent Steeda!!

 

[04Chris]

Thanks guys. I'll have to try some things and try and post some pics with the results.

 

[DARKSTI]

I use a APC diluted to 1:5 and spray it on the engine, let it sit. Then i agitate it with a brush on the tougher areas then rinse with a slow stream of water then wash the paint like the rest of the car.

 

[LCCOBRA]

The CD-2 Engine Detailer has been discontinued and may be hard to locate. I found a nice supply of it a few weeks ago at AutoZone and picked up 10 cans .

So perdy. I found this out last week when I tried looking for some :-D

 

[Darkblade]

QQ do you take the battery out when you do this, or is it safe to spray the engine down w/ it still connected?

 

[UNDR PSI]

QQ do you take the battery out when you do this, or is it safe to spray the engine down w/ it still connected?

No need to remove the battery.

 

[Scott 01Cobra]

You should actually do the SPRAYING down with the engine running ..... not the degreasing part but when you are ready to hose it off - start the car first. Back in the days when my bay got dirty this is what I did. The simple green is fantastic - you really don't need engine degreaser.

The key is to not let it get too dirty ....

Additional tips:

Anything polished - keep it up with aluminum polish so it stays nice. ONLY use chrome polish or wax on chrome. The best thing I have found for chrome is The Klasse Red Bottle. Yes, it's for paint but I use Zaino - the klasse is wonderful on chrome - trust me. Same with rims.

On all the black stuff use Motrhers Back-to-black ..... works wonders. Use it on your hoses as well.

Don't forget to wipe down the pulleys.

Care to see an engine bay? >>>>

http://www.stainlessbumperletters.com/scottwinger.htm/2001-engine.html

 

[sixt5]

i had to clean my engine bay last night and didnt have anything so i found some tar and bug remover and shot it on the intake. take somethign and scrub it and it gets oil, anti freezer and of coure bugs off.

just make sure it doesnt get into your carb (if you got one) or fuel system. it doesnt like to start afterwards! (dont ask )

 

[Slow04Cobra]

Should I cover anything up with plastic wrap when cleaning the engine, or will everything be ok?

 

[Martinrulz]

In my owners manual it says to cover up the battery, fuse box and air cleaner. Not sure what all needs to be covered on your Cobra but I'd assume it'd be the same. I just use aluminum foil to cover those things and I'm good to go.

 

[SVTDemon]

I have cleaned hundreds of engines, being that I have worked at a detail shop for 10 years, you don't have to cover anything. spry the engine compart down with simple green then start the motor and rinse with a hose let it keep running till motor is pretty dry and spray it with a tire dressing and smooth out the execess with a rag