Spray out the engine bay? - SRT Forums

mikedero08 · 03-23-2009, 02:55 PM

Can I take a hose and safely clean up my engine bay without damaging anything?

slickwillie · 03-23-2009, 03:40 PM

just did mine last night, just be careful around the fusebox and wires. I sprayed mine down with simple green and let it soak for about 5-10 min then sprayed it down but not at full force just enough to get the junk off

HWY* · 03-23-2009, 03:48 PM

I hose my engine down about once a year w/ no ill effects what-so-ever. Be careful around your alternator as well. Simple green does a good job but I've also used etching mag cleaner on the rough cast aluminum IM & tranny case. Be sure to wet it down B4 applying solvents.

D-ROK · 03-23-2009, 03:52 PM

go to the car wash ans use a pressure washer. It uses less water and will blow the crap out better. Just do quick bursts around the places you want to clean. Just be careful around electrical/alternator.

HWY* · 03-23-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by D-ROK

go to the car wash ans use a pressure washer. It uses less water and will blow the crap out better. Just do quick bursts around the places you want to clean. Just be careful around electrical/alternator.

This method does work very well, however, the owners of the u-spray-it car washes usually frown upon outside solvents. You also don't want to go spraying cold water on a hot motor. Keep that in mind while driving to the car wash. Don't race there!

mikedero08 · 03-23-2009, 04:19 PM

Should I bag up my intake (short ram) or anything like that?

HWY* · 03-23-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mikedero08

Should I bag up my intake (short ram) or anything like that?

It's a good idea. IMO

BoostinBen · 03-23-2009, 04:31 PM

You don't need to be careful around your alternator. Don't purposely get it soak and wet, but if you do, simply wait for it to dry out BEFORE you start your car.

The only thing I ever cover is my intake cover. I then spray absolutely everything with Simple Green, and I spray it very generously. I let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then I put the garden hose on a mist setting and spray everything off. The only time I will put it on a constant stream is when I angle it in the valve cover to get the suds out of where the spark plug wires are attached.

my_little_srt · 03-28-2009, 04:39 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by mikedero08

Should I bag up my intake (short ram) or anything like that?

Yes, use a plastic bag from wal mart or something similar...................

BoostinBen · 03-28-2009, 10:24 AM

Tin foil works well for anything like that. Conforms to the piece like a glove and keeps water off it it, too.

Kason23 · 03-28-2009, 12:38 PM

I always just pull my intake off and stick a rag or something of the sort in the turbo. and plug my valve cover vent. Spray mean green let it set for 5 minutes then spray if off. Then go crazy with tire shine and a sponge

just-a-neon · 03-28-2009, 12:40 PM

i use a pressure washer with medium pressure nozzle, i use engine brite..

DrRafy · 03-30-2009, 05:20 PM

Ok I use simple green, but I cover my Intake filter, battery, spark plug area, prevent spraying the alternator with water. I use a paintbrush just to clean around the engine bay to get the heavy stuff.
However, here is a web site that it specialized on detailing
Engine Cleaning & Detailing - Autopia.org

memphiselitez · 03-30-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rasp

You don't need to be careful around your alternator. Don't purposely get it soak and wet, but if you do, simply wait for it to dry out BEFORE you start your car.

The only thing I ever cover is my intake cover. I then spray absolutely everything with Simple Green, and I spray it very generously. I let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then I put the garden hose on a mist setting and spray everything off. The only time I will put it on a constant stream is when I angle it in the valve cover to get the suds out of where the spark plug wires are attached.

wouldnt that get into the holes where the spark plugs are?

Quote: Originally Posted by rasp

Tin foil works well for anything like that. Conforms to the piece like a glove and keeps water off it it, too.

x2 on that one. its what i do

Quote: Originally Posted by Kason23

I always just pull my intake off and stick a rag or something of the sort in the turbo. and plug my valve cover vent. Spray mean green let it set for 5 minutes then spray if off. Then go crazy with tire shine and a sponge

id love to see what your engine bay looks like. you aught to pm me some pics if you dont mind

bachelorracing · 04-07-2009, 03:13 PM

The method I use works fine. Get some auto degreaser (mine is 50/50) and a pressure washer. Turn on the car and let it run. Spray on the degreaser and let sit for a min. You keep the engine on so the degreaser and heat up and do work. Use pressure washer on any setting and spray it down. our washer is set on high at all times. Take a skewer and a cloth to get the tight spots. Leave hood up and car running for ten mins. I use Black Magic Tire dressing for under the hood to get that killer shine. We detail cars for auctions and for show rooms everyday 7days a week. Just dont be stupid.

03-23-2009, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
mikedero08 SRTforums Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Member Number: 71493 Location: San Diego Posts: 580	Spray out the engine bay? Can I take a hose and safely clean up my engine bay without damaging anything? __________________ 1991 Mustang GT - S/C @ 6psi; New hotness 2004 SRT 4 - Stocker @ 20 psi; Cursed

03-23-2009, 03:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
D-ROK SRTforums Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Member Number: 50159 Location: LIVERMORE, CA Posts: 2,291	go to the car wash ans use a pressure washer. It uses less water and will blow the crap out better. Just do quick bursts around the places you want to clean. Just be careful around electrical/alternator. __________________

03-23-2009, 04:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikedero08 SRTforums Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Member Number: 71493 Location: San Diego Posts: 580	Should I bag up my intake (short ram) or anything like that? __________________ 1991 Mustang GT - S/C @ 6psi; New hotness 2004 SRT 4 - Stocker @ 20 psi; Cursed

03-28-2009, 04:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
my_little_srt SRTforums Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Member Number: 41179 Location: San Hood Posts: 13,082	Quote: Originally Posted by mikedero08 Should I bag up my intake (short ram) or anything like that? Yes, use a plastic bag from wal mart or something similar................... __________________

03-28-2009, 12:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
Kason23 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Member Number: 34502 Location: Rockmart,GA Posts: 4,657	I always just pull my intake off and stick a rag or something of the sort in the turbo. and plug my valve cover vent. Spray mean green let it set for 5 minutes then spray if off. Then go crazy with tire shine and a sponge __________________ 2005 red srt Old setup AGP D46 432/425 on 25psi with meth New ride in the works

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03-23-2009, 03:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
slickwillie SRTforums Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Member Number: 47326 Location: minnesota Posts: 128	just did mine last night, just be careful around the fusebox and wires. I sprayed mine down with simple green and let it soak for about 5-10 min then sprayed it down but not at full force just enough to get the junk off

03-23-2009, 03:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
HWY* SRTforums Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Member Number: 65076 Location: Loves Park, Il Posts: 1,456	I hose my engine down about once a year w/ no ill effects what-so-ever. Be careful around your alternator as well. Simple green does a good job but I've also used etching mag cleaner on the rough cast aluminum IM & tranny case. Be sure to wet it down B4 applying solvents.

03-23-2009, 04:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
HWY* SRTforums Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Member Number: 65076 Location: Loves Park, Il Posts: 1,456	Quote: Originally Posted by D-ROK go to the car wash ans use a pressure washer. It uses less water and will blow the crap out better. Just do quick bursts around the places you want to clean. Just be careful around electrical/alternator. This method does work very well, however, the owners of the u-spray-it car washes usually frown upon outside solvents. You also don't want to go spraying cold water on a hot motor. Keep that in mind while driving to the car wash. Don't race there!

03-23-2009, 04:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
HWY* SRTforums Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Member Number: 65076 Location: Loves Park, Il Posts: 1,456	Quote: Originally Posted by mikedero08 Should I bag up my intake (short ram) or anything like that? It's a good idea. IMO

03-23-2009, 04:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
BoostinBen SRTforums Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Member Number: 56076 Location: Gates Mills Posts: 4,703	You don't need to be careful around your alternator. Don't purposely get it soak and wet, but if you do, simply wait for it to dry out BEFORE you start your car. The only thing I ever cover is my intake cover. I then spray absolutely everything with Simple Green, and I spray it very generously. I let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then I put the garden hose on a mist setting and spray everything off. The only time I will put it on a constant stream is when I angle it in the valve cover to get the suds out of where the spark plug wires are attached.

03-28-2009, 10:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
BoostinBen SRTforums Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Member Number: 56076 Location: Gates Mills Posts: 4,703	Tin foil works well for anything like that. Conforms to the piece like a glove and keeps water off it it, too.

03-28-2009, 12:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
just-a-neon SRTforums Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Member Number: 36585 Location: goose creek, sc Posts: 1,111	i use a pressure washer with medium pressure nozzle, i use engine brite..

03-30-2009, 05:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
DrRafy SRTforums Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Member Number: 14422 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 296	Ok I use simple green, but I cover my Intake filter, battery, spark plug area, prevent spraying the alternator with water. I use a paintbrush just to clean around the engine bay to get the heavy stuff. However, here is a web site that it specialized on detailing Engine Cleaning & Detailing - Autopia.org __________________ My SRT-4 Mods: Who Cares is Just a Neon "It doesnt matter how fast your car is when you cant drive for $#!t."

03-30-2009, 11:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
memphiselitez SRTforums Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Member Number: 65236 Location: Memphis, Tn Posts: 3,326	Quote: Originally Posted by rasp You don't need to be careful around your alternator. Don't purposely get it soak and wet, but if you do, simply wait for it to dry out BEFORE you start your car. The only thing I ever cover is my intake cover. I then spray absolutely everything with Simple Green, and I spray it very generously. I let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then I put the garden hose on a mist setting and spray everything off. The only time I will put it on a constant stream is when I angle it in the valve cover to get the suds out of where the spark plug wires are attached. wouldnt that get into the holes where the spark plugs are? Quote: Originally Posted by rasp Tin foil works well for anything like that. Conforms to the piece like a glove and keeps water off it it, too. x2 on that one. its what i do Quote: Originally Posted by Kason23 I always just pull my intake off and stick a rag or something of the sort in the turbo. and plug my valve cover vent. Spray mean green let it set for 5 minutes then spray if off. Then go crazy with tire shine and a sponge id love to see what your engine bay looks like. you aught to pm me some pics if you dont mind __________________ 2004 Black SRT-4 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Red/Black

04-07-2009, 03:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
bachelorracing SRTforums Member Join Date: May 2006 Member Number: 42144 Location: san antonio Posts: 90	The method I use works fine. Get some auto degreaser (mine is 50/50) and a pressure washer. Turn on the car and let it run. Spray on the degreaser and let sit for a min. You keep the engine on so the degreaser and heat up and do work. Use pressure washer on any setting and spray it down. our washer is set on high at all times. Take a skewer and a cloth to get the tight spots. Leave hood up and car running for ten mins. I use Black Magic Tire dressing for under the hood to get that killer shine. We detail cars for auctions and for show rooms everyday 7days a week. Just dont be stupid.

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