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Tips for cleaning the engine and engine bay?

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RennGent

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Since I have very limited funds at the moment and can't work on any of the bigger projects for my D, I thought I'd spend some time cleaning up the appearance of the engine and engine bay. However, I have no idea where to start?? In the three+ years I've owned the D I haven't cleaned the bay so I have my work cut out for me and am looking for tips and tricks for things I can do to make my engine and the surrounding area look good.
  • What cable and wire covers are good?
    What can I do to improve the appearance of hoses?
    What's the best way to go about cleaning and detailing the engine?
    What should I even consider doing?
I really don't know where to start and I'm not looking to spend much, so a focus on working with what I have would be great. I'm also not looking for detailed responses per se, just things I should think about/research/do. Thank you!
 
#4 ·
Nate, there's a detailing place on East St around 13th right behind the Citgo and I believe he does full or partial details. I got my engine bay sprayed, cleaned and shined for Carlisle there and it only cost $20 bucks. Of course the radiator cap and coolant loss ruined the detail work, but it looked good for Carlisle.
 
#6 ·
The Simple Green will attack the metal if it's used on aluminum. Always read the back label and directions for whatever product you decide to use. It'll save you some heartache in the long run.

And of course, show us some before and after pics.
 
#10 ·
I messed up the finish on my ceramic coated headers and had to replaced a couple hundred dollars of powder coated materials from misuse of Simple Green. It may be good on dirt, but it's hell on areas where the alkaline affects the base materials.

May I suggest Griotts Engine Cleaner instead. I use it and it works nicely. Just follow the directions.

HTH,

IndyD
 
#11 ·
I used to swear by Simple Green when it first came out, but I don't use it anymore.

It makes a mess of aluminum and magnesium alloys. Even the trace left behind after you "rinse thoroughly" is enough to damage the surface, but it's not likely to do any structural damage. There have been reports of structural damage to aircraft from the stuff (I haven't bothered to verify whether they're bogus or not) but in any case, those were due to the cleaner getting trapped in hidden areas.

If you have a coated aluminum or magnesium part and the coating has a hairline crack, this stuff will get into the crack and not come out. Couple of months later, the finish bubbles off.

My dad used to use Fantastik to clean his engine, at least since it was introduced in 1967, and he probably used Gunk before that (and after that for really dirty engines), but Gunk makes a mess and eats up the asphalt in your driveway. He used to do a quick clean of the engine bay at every oil change and that instinct was passed on to me. So, while my engine bay is NEVER up to Indy standards, it's also always neat and clean, if maybe a little dusty.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
MAGIC84 said:
Nate, there's a detailing place on East St around 13th right behind the Citgo and I believe he does full or partial details. I got my engine bay sprayed, cleaned and shined for Carlisle there and it only cost $20 bucks.
Click to expand...
For $20 that's worth looking into, thanks! That'd get me started and then I can just keep up with it and not let it get behind.

Thanks for the warning about Simple Green, I'll keep it away from the D. I'll also be looking to get some Griotts.

Any tips on wire management and beautification? I'm not in a rush to get it to show quality by any means, but I'd like to work towards it. I'd also like to get it to look cleaner and simpler. Attached is a current picture of my rather dirty and disorganized engine bay.
 

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RennGent
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