my engine is getting pretty dirty.....what would be some good ways/stuff to clean it up

 

Simple Green is a great product to use.

 

With the engine cold, cover any exposed wires, sensors, filters, etc., with aluminum foil and or plastic bags. Lightly wet down the engine with water from a hose with a nozzle on it to help limit the GPM. You do not want large amounts of water on the engine, do not put the nozzle close to the engine, do not hold it in one spot for a long time. Put the nozzle on a setting so the water comes out slow, not fast in a narrow stream.

Spray on a degreaser such as Amazing Roll Off or P21s Total Auto Wash. These are very safe degreasers. If your engine is not extremely dirty, then you can dilute them with water. Wait 3- 5 minutes for the degreaser to do its job. Meanwhile, use a brush to get to real dirty spots.

Then lightly rinse off all the dirt and degreaser. Remove the plastic bags/ aluminum foil. Dry the engine with a electric leaf blower. Get it as dry as you can, then turn the engine on and continue to dry with the leaf blower. Let the engine idle get get up to full temp so everything else can dry.

After everything is dry, and the engine is cool, protect with something like 303 Protectant or Adams In and Out Spray. Spray it on the engine and wipe off the excess with a cheap microfiber towel that wont lint.

http://autogeek.net/amazingrolloff.html
http://autogeek.net/303aerprot.html
http://www.detailersdomain.com/index...WPROD&ProdID=2
http://www.detailersdomain.com/index...PROD&ProdID=73

 

Im not to sure about spraying engines off myself, a buddy of mine has a cobra and sprays his engine off while its running without covering anything.

 

Its only a matter of time before something goes wrong doing it like that.

 

Hmmmmmmmm....should I chime in?

 

everything he said except i like to run the car for 5-7 minutes first. you want to get the engine just a little warm but DEFINITELY NOT HOT. you should still be able to put your hand on it.

Also I prefer sonus trim & motor kote, but the products mentioned are also good. I don't really care for the adams line, I suspect most of it is re-labeled chemical guys (also a great brand) stuff

 

Hmmmmmmmm......still thinking........

 

Yep, Adams pretty much= CG. But Phil is a great guy, Id rather buy from him. Youll get better customer service from him then you will from CG too.

The Adams In & Out and VRT are two products I think are worth trying. Ive also got their metal polish which I havent used yet. Have to see how well that works.

Degreasers, wheel cleaners, etc., should be applied to cool surfaces out of direct sunlight and should not dry on the surface.

I remember your little incident.

 

tire shine for hoses!!! hehe

 

I have always done it the same way for years. Have the motor have some heat in it, but not fully hot. Lightly spray motor with water. I dont cover anything up because think of all the truck that go off roading putting the whole motor in water, a little water wont hurt it. Then spray some degreaser cut down with water, I usually use citrus type degreasers. wait a few min's go back wipe anything to loosen up dirty and rinse off. Start motor up and let it dry itself off while i wash car. Then at the end i will use some spray detailer like poorboys natural finish, eagal one interior spray etc....

 

Please do. Some good advice so far. But tell us What you really think. Isn't there a thread that explains this?? I need to do the same thing. My engine is gettting nasty looking..

 

I only use a pressure washer when doing the engine, never simply a running hose.