Hi I'm just wondering the best way to clean the Engine/Engine Bay. I'm a little nervous about just poppin' the hood and havin' at it with a hose. I know I should cover up my intake, and alternator and fuse box, do I also have to worry about the starter and the Ignition module on the top of the Engine? I have the 2.2l Engine. I guess what I'm asking is, has anyone done this on their own car, and if so please list all the precautions you took! Thanks a lot!

 

if you keep water to a min. then you should be fine just make sure there isn't any water/chemicals left standing anywhere once you are done.

 

just whip it down very good with a wet towel and use armoral for the plastic. to keep from using water.

 

I typically spray down w/ an apc, agitate w/ a soft bristled brush, than rinse w/ hose water. Seems to work very well. I cover any hid boxes, open air filters or fuse/relay boxes. Rest seems to be ok. After rinsing, I start it immediately and let it run for a little to help dry. Pop the hood, finish drying w/ a towel, than dress w/ trim restorer or 303 aerospace depending.

 

i use engine degreaser(3X since i got the car) and it works great! I have a 2.2l and all i have to do is cover up my headlight wiring with a plastic bag and cover my air filter on my Injen SRI, other than that its easy and cool to see how clean it can get!!!!

GL

 

I may just have you guys do it for me

 

That would be another option lol.

 

Where at in Central NJ?

I am in Pennsville(ecit 1 on 295/TP)

 

Cranford, which is 137 off the gsp.

 

******* everything is east or north

 

Thanks for the responses guys

 

Good thread, I was kind of wondering this myself: haven't been to a car show since last summer, so 20k miles later, my bay is starting to look a bit grubby.

Getting a bit greasy in there too, should I take a look at my gaskets/seals or is this normal for SS/SC's? My friend's silver SS/SC of the same year and G85 type is getting greasy as well around the valve cover and spark plug cover.

 

pull the motor out completely and give it to me...

 

First: I wet the engine down lightly
Second: Use some kind of degreaser and spray it on and let it sit.
Third: Use a cloth and wiper down some really dirty areas of the engine bay.
Fourth: After 10-15min of letting the degreaser sit, Lightly hose it off

I always try to stay clear from the major wires and electronic parts.

 

pressure washer and simple green...... everything is thats under the hood is ment to get wet done it every time i washed my car and no problems.... almost 20k miles on my car

 

im a detailer and i wash the engines on lots of cobalts/G5 's as well as many other cars and i go in there with a pressure washer and soak it down with degreaser and rince well. the only times i have ever had a problem is when its really cold other than that ive never had a problem.

 

Make sure the engine is atleast cooled down some.... hot metal + cold water could =

 

I just spray some engine degreaser, rinse it down, and armor all the fuse box cover.

 

i would use warm-hot water.

 

someone should do a how to (with pictures) of how to properly rinse the engine bay

 

well, my hose like most doesnt have a hot or cold water option... so, unless you are using a bucket, or your tap with a hose, the water will probably be cold

 

im just saying i would use warm- hot because imo cold water doesnt clean things well so if i was interested in cleaning my engine i would take it to a car wash and do that. i just like u dont have hot water coming out of my gardenhose.

 

why didnt i see this thread before im washing my car yesterday and then i pop the hood and go hmmm so what should i do to clean the engine, all i did was use a wet towel and wiped most of it off, but my valve cover and sc look like crapp with some sort of salt deposits on them or something and wouldnt come off... anyone have any suggestions?

 

Pull the valve cover and either polish it or have it powder coated.

 

sweet thread.

to the posters that said just pressure wash and de-greaser, do you cover up anything? i was always wondering if the fuses/relays in the bay were alright if they were wet or not... or do you cover them up?

sorry for the noob question