Cleaning the engine bay?

[Rice_slayer]

What precautions need to be taken when hosing off the engine bay? I asked my dad and he said to cover the distributor in a couple of plastic bags and to take the battery out. I want to make my engine look nice again(its REALLY dirty) and I want to take the pressure hose to it to wash it off, what other things should I make sure are covered up so i dont ruin anything.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o152/Rice_slayer/IMAG0070.jpg

 

[el docum]

It's better to cover both fenders whit plastic if you used a product like Gunk.

 

[Red96GT]

Cover your alternator housing and air filter if it's exposed. The majority looks like dust so just water, simple green, soap, rinse, dry, in that order will do. I'd only use a shower setting on the nozzle as there is no need to use more pressure than necessary. Try and dry off all places that hold water (i.e. spark plugs) as areas like that will pool water.

 

[94darkhorse]

Simple green let it set for a couple minutes, spray it off and do it again. Then go over it with a damp towel. Works for mine but I don't open it much.

 

[Rice_slayer]

Thanks! I where can I get a can of this simple green stuff? So I wash it, spray the simple green on, let it settle, wash it off then dry? We have tons of crap towels in the garage to use to clean our hands off so those should work.

 

[OnyxCobra]

Simple green is good stuff, don't wet down the engine before hand tho, spray the simple green everywhere full strength and let sit for a minute, then rinse. Always does a great job...

 

[vermilion]

walmart or any parts store. 5.99 a bottle. cleans anything.

 

[Maniak87]

walmart or any parts store. 5.99 a bottle. cleans anything.

dont u have to be careful with that stuff? ive heard that u should only used it if u cut it with some water.

 

[Red96GT]

walmart or any parts store. 5.99 a bottle. cleans anything.

dont u have to be careful with that stuff? ive heard that u should only used it if u cut it with some water.

I wouldn't let it sit on rubber hoses. That's why i recommended washing the bay with regular car soap and a mit dedicated to engines after rinsing with simple green. There have been a few people who say simple green messes with Aluminum pieces but I don't see a problem as long as its rinsed thoroughly.

 

[OnyxCobra]

Simple Green isn't corrosive like a lot of the other degreasers, stuff like purple power leaves white sh!t all over metal.

 

[vermilion]

ive used it for everything. even washing greasy uniforms.

 

[OnyxCobra]

here's a job my friend helped me with, simple greened everything and hosed off.. it's a good idea to wash the car afterwards because you don't want simple green overspray sitting on your paint.



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