The end all be all engine cleanning thread

[spike_africa]

So in this thread that i hope to make a sticky we will cover cleaning your engine and how to not ruin things. I will start off with how i have been doing it for years, but feel free to post how you do it. And other tips, products, etc...

How i do mine:
-Warm engine up while i get things together(not hot just warm it up a bit)
-Turn off car and spray motor lightly with water to get it wet
-Spray either some sort of degreaser or citrus degreaser product (which i dilute to 50/50 water to degreaser)
-Let it sit for 5 mins
-GO and brush anything that might be extra nasty ( i have a rag i use only for this)
-Lightly rise the motor off while not staying in one spot to long
-After this i turn the engine on and close the hood
-I then wash the car with the engine running till i am done as the heat will dry off everything under there
-go in and apply whatever rubber dressing you like, i use Aerospace303 as it actually protects rubber and doesn't make it sticky like armoral

Now a few things i do.
Never do this on a very hot motor i just warm it up a bit thats all.
Never spray the air filter or the alternator and try to not douse other electronics either.
You can spray water don't get me wrong just don't open a hose full blast onto your engine.
Other then that, its how i do mine and how Ive done it for many years and i have yet to ruin anything. The key really is not to blast a hose full bore into the engine bay and not to spray a few choice items hardly at all.

Seems like a good tutorial, the only thing that Im not too crazy about is warming the engine up.. My personal opinion and reccomendation to most would be not to do it.. It's just too risky, not everyone knows what 'warm' means and you just as well as I do what all could happen if you let it get too warm...

Many have said not to use a pressure washer under the hood, but honestly I've done it several times and haven't ever had any issues.. Granted, I don't spray water directly on any of the electronics/ plugs, etc.. That's one of those never ending debates, some people say NO and some say it makes no difference.

[NoKturnaL]

after i have rinsed off all the degreaser n crap. I use a leaf blower to get the water out of everything. It helps dry it more before turning the engine on to let it completely dry.

[spike_africa]

I know what you mean by warming it up. What i mean is i start the car (when totaly cold) and let it idle while i get the hose,and other cleannings together. Takes maybe 5-10 mins thats it. the gauge doesnt even move on my car hardly in this time. But i just want some heat in there.

[GETNUTZ11]

easy judge of warm and hot... if you can't hold your hand on it its more than warm...

[03gtmustang]

• Cover sensors,open wires, etc. with aluminum foil

• Lightly wet entire engine

• Spray on Amazing Roll Off, let soak

• Lightly rinse off

• Remove aluminum foil

• Dry with electric leaf blower

• Turn on engine

• Dress with AA foam

• Close hood, let soak

• Turn off engine, wipe off excess

Leaves the engine nice any shiny, but not slippery or sticky. Im one of those guys who says never to use a pressure washer. First of all, theres no need to use that much pressure. Second, Ive seen and heard of too many people having problems after using one on their engine.