engine/engine bay cleaning

**Blackbird WS6** · 11-12-2010, 08:09 PM

i never cleaned mine yet so it will be my first time....

any steps or things i should be worried about??? AND what kind cleaners are your guys using???

**KahanaReef** · 11-12-2010, 08:13 PM

Here's a good thread for you.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...ing+engine+bay

**Blackbird WS6** · 11-12-2010, 08:45 PM

thanks Kahana..

i should note that i have built 408 (LQ9) if that matters what i use or steps

**Z28Thunder** · 11-12-2010, 08:46 PM

Simple green and elbow grease. Y2K has posted engine pictures and under body pictures. What did he use Simple green..

**Blackbird WS6** · 11-12-2010, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Z28Thunder

Simple green and elbow grease. Y2K has posted engine pictures and under body pictures. What did he use Simple green..

true dat...i use simple green on all my other cars/trucks

but in NO WAY am i going to take it to the level that preston has his car hahaha thats shit is crazy clean lol

**Z28Thunder** · 11-12-2010, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Blackbird-WS6

truth dat...i use simple green on all my other cars/trucks

but in NO WAY am i going to take it to the level that preston has his car hahaha thats shit is crazy clean lol

That just took time is all.. Simple Green works wonders. All it takes is elbow grease and time. And I am talking about the cleaning part... Not the polishing and detail work he did. But a clean engine and bay can be had with simple green.

**Blackbird WS6** · 11-12-2010, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Z28Thunder

That just took time is all.. Simple Green works wonders. All it takes is elbow grease and time. And I am talking about the cleaning part... Not the polishing and detail work he did. But a clean engine and bay can be had with simple greem.

yep i agree...i use that stuff on my big trucks for years...eats threw anything haha

im just worried more or less about getting water is not so good places and whatnot

**Z28Thunder** · 11-12-2010, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Blackbird-WS6

yep i agree...i use that stuff on my big trucks for years...eats threw anything haha

im just worried more or less about getting water is not so good places and whatnot

Don't use a high pressure spray. Use low pressure or just running water.

**Blackbird WS6** · 11-12-2010, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Z28Thunder

Don't use a high pressure spray. Use low pressure or just running water.

will note that...

kinda doing this ass backwards

i had the outside of my car all polished and waxed (all that mess) and now i want to clean the engine

**KahanaReef** · 11-12-2010, 09:10 PM

When I finally get around to doing mine, I'll probably cover up the alternator just to be on the safe side.

**Blackbird WS6** · 11-12-2010, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by KahanaReef

When I finally get around to doing mine, I'll probably cover up the alternator just to be on the safe side.

yea im going to do the same and throw another lay of wax on the whole car when the engine drys

**Z28Thunder** · 11-12-2010, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by KahanaReef

When I finally get around to doing mine, I'll probably cover up the alternator just to be on the safe side.

I can understand wanting to do this. They build cars today IMO to handle getting wet better. Most if not all electrical connectors are completely sealed and resistant to moisture and corrosion. I have washed and cleaned several times with simple green and no issues. I did not cover anything up. I can understand covering up a distributor back in the day. I will say one place to watch out for is the shock towers. The water can run down on the struts. And over time it could make it hard to replace the strut.

**KahanaReef** · 11-12-2010, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by Z28Thunder

I can understand wanting to do this. They build cars today IMO to handle getting wet better. Most if not all electrical connectors are completely sealed and resistant to moisture and corrosion. I have washed and cleaned several times with simple green and no issues. I did not cover anything up. I can understand covering up a distributor back in the day. I will say one place to watch out for is the shock towers. The water can run down on the struts. And over time it could make it hard to replace the strut.

Yeah, the distributor was a given back then. For some reason, I'm a bit intimidated and haven't done it yet. Didn't have all the wires under there back in the day either. It's gets a bit dusty, but for the most part, I just wipe down with a wet rag when I wash my car. It's actually pretty clean under there for the most part. But, could use a more detailed cleaning.

Didn't even think about the shock towers/struts...

**Z06-Goose** · 11-13-2010, 09:47 PM

I think everybody had covered the product(s) to use and what to cover.

If I may add, you can look and assess the situation.
I would at least try to get to an air compressor and blow off at all the hard to reach in places like on/and around the k-member and what have you. Lots of little rocks and sand most likely.
Then you can try cleaning by hand to remove stains and what not.
Get a painter's type brush around 2" width. Those are very handy.

**Blackbird WS6** · 11-13-2010, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Z06-Goose

I think everybody had covered the product(s) to use issuem and what to cover.

If I may add, you can look and assess the situation.
I would at least try to get to an air compressor and blow off at all the hard to reach in places like on/and around the k-member and what have you. Lots of little rocks and sand most likely.
Then you can try cleaning by hand to remove stains and what not.
Get a painter's type brush around 2" width. Those are very handy.

thanks Goose...will do