I just did a quick search and didnt come up with anything. My engine compartment is starting to get a little dingy, and since it is starting to warm up, I was going to clean the hell out of my car. I was wondering what is the best way (fluids, towels, etc) to clean the engine bay?
My supercharger looks like it has got a little bit of grime on it, as with a couple of other parts. Just wonder what the best way is to clean up around there

 

Steam clean!

 

i use its awesome, all you do is wet down ur motor, spray the **** on, than spray it off... easy, if its really dirty use a brush and scrub the **** off

 

Steam would be best.. but I just sprey mine anytime I go to the carwash... Usualy with the tirecleaner setting first then a good rince.. unless the wash has an engin degreaser then i use it.. never had a problem yet...

 

Engine Cleaning

1. Make sure engine is warm, but not hot. Cold engines are harder to remove grease and oil from.

** Check the directions on the engine cleaner/degreaser you are using, though. Some specifically say to clean the engine when cold only. **

2. Cover your distributor (if you do not know what or where it is, get a manual for your car), alternator and fuse box. Most electronics under your hood are adequately sealed for rain water splashing up on them, but high pressure water is another story.

3. Spray Greased Lightning's Orange Blast (my preferred engine degreaser) liberally all over your engine and engine bay. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. If your engine is really dirty, then after the 5 minutes, spray it down again and wait an additional 5 minutes.

4. Spray the engine and engine bay with high pressure rinse water - but even though your distributor may be covered, still use lower pressure around it to be on the safe side.

5. Any remaining grime, spray again with Orange Blast, and use a stiff brush if needed. Rinse again.

6. Remove the plastic coverings and start the engine. Let it run until it is dry. You will have to dry the painted surfaces in the engine bay and the underside of the hood with a towel.

7. Dress any hoses, etc. you want with rubber/vinyl dressing.

DO NOT steam clean your engine. Steam cleaning is fine for carburated engines...but steam cleaning a fuel injected motor with all the additional electronics is very dangerous as steam is not only very hot, but since it is in vapor form and can easily seep into tubes/cracks/crevices and ruin electronics.

 

Thanks for that walkthrough!

 

water and engine degreaser would prolly be a good start.

 

How should I cover the electronics? some kind of product I could grab at oreilly or something?

 

plastic bags......

 

sounds alot less complicated than I was going to make it

 

If you want your supercharger to shine like new after you clean it and dry it off buy this product called "blue magic liquid metal polish" it will make you alluminum parts looks better than new.

 

or that mothers aluminum polish i love that stuff.

 

Where can I get that stuff?

 

Pep boys, walmart, discount auto.