Engine Cleaning

**sparkie** · 03-14-2010, 08:14 PM

I had a few people PM me about how I clean engines. Here it is real simple. This is how I do it, and I'm not saying this is the right way, just the way I do it. If you have a different way post it, I'm always into to learning new tricks....
Have your tools ready.
Brush, powder-puff, APC, soapy water, small sponge, tooth brush and pressure washer with the wide tip.
Spray your engine down with your favorite APC. Use your brushes and soapy water as needed.
Start engine.
Be sure you keep the pressure washer tip about 2-5 feet back. You don't want to screw up any electronics components.
After rinsing everything off, leave the engine running and blow it down with a leaf blower.
When dried cut engine off. Spray your engine down with your favorite silicone spray.
Have fun...

Before

after

**nitro78** · 03-14-2010, 10:07 PM

well said. most people are just intimidated by it because they have never done it. familiarity breeds confidence.

**C. Charles Hahn** · 03-14-2010, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by nitro78

well said. most people are just intimidated by it because they have never done it. familiarity breeds confidence.

Very very true. I've cleaned up and detailed engines on everything from $1500 beaters to $50,000+ luxury and sport automobiles, and by now there's very little that scares me away from doing it.

That's not to say I'm not more nervous with some vehicles than others, but once you learn what to stay away from as much as possible with water on a given engine, it's no big deal.

I also have a tendency to remove any plastic engine covers and the like in order to facilitate more thorough cleaning and dressing without worry of what is around or under them.

**akimel** · 03-14-2010, 10:45 PM

Thanks for the write-up! Your engine bay looks terrific.

Karl Schultz recently shared his engine detailing method over at the S2K forum. I found his article particularly helpful: S2KI - S2000 Forums -> Karl's take on engine bay detailing.

**rohnramirez** · 03-15-2010, 05:49 AM

Thank you, very informative! Do you rinse it while the engine is on? doesn't it die cause you've covered the intake?

You don't use a degreaser, just the APC? What's a silicone spray? Sorry about bombarding you with so many questions. I just wanna learn other people's techniques too.

**2003 GMC Denali** · 03-15-2010, 06:52 AM

Do you also worry about Belt-slippage, because the Silicone-Spray gets on to the Belt-pulleys?

Or is this a non-issue?

**detaildave** · 03-15-2010, 07:06 AM

Nice work!!!

**TroyScherer** · 03-15-2010, 08:44 AM

Sparkie,
I have open intake like the K&N in your pic. I know I need to cover th intake up but do you cover or wrap anyhting else like the alternator or spark plug wells? The engine bay is the one area I have yet to tackle with a pressure washer or hose. I have always done parts by hand but never got it to look nearly as nice.

**C. Charles Hahn** · 03-15-2010, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by 2003 GMC Denali

Do you also worry about Belt-slippage, because the Silicone-Spray gets on to the Belt-pulleys?

Or is this a non-issue?

I don't know about anyone else but I just keep a can of belt dressing around and give the belts a shot of it with the engine running after I'm done, and before I put the dressing on the rest of the engine.

I usually use CD2 Engine Detailer spray as the dressing.... which is supposed to be pretty much safe regardless.

Also keep in mind that APC is safer than degreaser -- a lot of degreasers can etch paint and even damage some types of metal. I'd stay away from degreasers unless APC won't cut through the crud on something specific you're working with.