oldslover Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Hey guys/girls, what's the best method to thoroughly yet safely clean a cruddy engine compartment? It's NOT my Cutlass International but it is an Olds [92 Acheiva SC]. Give me some first hand advice, please. THANKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godofthunder Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 one of the best prodcuts to use is Simple Green, you can get it at walmart. THere are lots of techniques...but heres what I do 1) let engine run for 2-3 minutes...just to get very slightly warm 2) cover up electronics, alt, etc. 3) spray down everything mostly with SG 4) rinse away with a VERY ligtht stream of water 5) brush in areas that need it 6) remove everything 7) restart car, and let it help dry off some people then dress with armorl all, but I would using nothing, or any other vinal (sp) protectant than AA jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslover Posted January 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Really, Simple Green? Can it be that simple? [no pun intended] I once used a product like 'Gunk' or something like that, followed the directions but within a week or so the plug wires needed replaced [shop said the chemicals leak through] and a few other components due to poor runability. A neighbor said to use kerosene and it works like a charm? It's not a huge greasy mess but it is dirty so I want to clean it. I've seen some older cars with sparkling engine compartments so I know it's possible, just need to know how. I was thinking of using a hot water pressure wash? Thanks godofthunder! Anyone else care to share their technique? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supreme_style21 Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Kerosene?! Might as well just place a stick of dynamite in there! Huh.. I guess I don't know if it works or not.. maybe it does! But I don't think I could bring myself to spray such flamable liquids all over my engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heza Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 if you want to skip all the non-sense...and try the best way IMO...pay a little and get your engine bay steam cleaned. that works like a champ to really get it clean right away. then use spray cleaners when it starts looking only slightly dirty to remove little films that may accumulate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomFE3 Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 if your going to use the simple green, the way i did it was i sprayed individual places witht he simple green and wiped it off with a rag, to get the most places, and then when you are done spray everything down and use the hose or something to spray it off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPdriver1986 Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 I used dish soap, it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 ...pay a little and get your engine bay steam cleaned. that works like a champ to really get it clean right away. Agreed, using Simple Green or a non-solvent based degreaser with a power spray shows best results. Using solvent based chemical can discolor / weaken plastic engine parts... Most cleaner explicitly say not to use on hot engine parts as well. Simple Green works wonders! More details: W-Body Performance - Engine Power-Washing. It's how I clean all my cars, never had a problem as long as you don't go overboard... * Cutlass DOHC engine bay * Jetta VR6 engine bay - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJB Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Kerosene should work because alot of canned degreasers are kerosene based anyway. I just use the parts store brand stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslover Posted January 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2004 THANKS for the help! My neighbor swears by the kerosene method. Kero is very difficult to ignite and will not explode by flame, like diesel fuel. I still hesitate using this method but maybe I'll talk him into doing it for me? I have a high pressue washer and think I'll try the Simple Green since it's not excessively dirty. I appreciate the help! See my other question, battery dies in my Cutlass International. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan94Z34 Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 this is what I did. went to the car wash. srayed the engine down with castrol... i dont remember the rest, it comes is a purple container at wall mart. covered the electronics with plastic wash the rest of the car. go back and power wash the stuff off at the car wash. it takes everything off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godofthunder Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 redfox... do you use any protectant afterwards? I want to get some 303 but havent gotten to it yet. My dad recomended amorall...but I hate that stuff with a passsion... jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 do you use any protectant afterwards? I want to get some 303 but havent gotten to it yet. My dad recomended amorall...but I hate that stuff with a passsion... Actually, no, I towel dry it and let it sit. I don't use any glaze since its electrostaticly charge and collects dust. - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead43 Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Read this: http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11945 SIMPLE GREEN AUTOMOTIVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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