Cleaning Engine Compartment

[twobjshelbys]

The SGT is getting dirty inside - stuff collecting on oil vapor deposits and other stuff. Time to clean it.

I've used a Simple Green solution in the past, spray it on the warm engine and then rinse. But am I going to short something? I did that with the Cobra and ended up blowing the MSD ignition box so now I'm a little gun shy. I guess disconnecting the battery is a good idea.

Afterwards the leaf blower dries things out.

[VaporDude]

This is more manual labor but since you are affraid if shorting something out, here is what would suggest. Put some Simple Green in a bucket and add water. Take a rag, dunk it in the bucket and wring out most all the water. Wash parts until they are clean dunking and wringing out the rag often. Once done, get some of Show Cars engine detail and follow directions.

[HSURB]

The SGT is getting dirty inside - stuff collecting on oil vapor deposits and other stuff. Time to clean it.

I've used a Simple Green solution in the past, spray it on the warm engine and then rinse. But am I going to short something? I did that with the Cobra and ended up blowing the MSD ignition box so now I'm a little gun shy. I guess disconnecting the battery is a good idea.

Afterwards the leaf blower dries things out.

I would also recommend Show Car's engine detailer. The stuff is the bomb.

HSURB®

[twobjshelbys]

Other detailing things will have to wait. I want to get this done today.

[The Bone]

When rincing the motor off just use the bear end of the hose and turn the pressure way down. Remember that you are just rinsing not blasting the dire off. I dont like to wash motors to much electronics. Funny how you can drive you're car in the rain and under the hood stays dry as a Bone.

[twobjshelbys]

It didn't get done today. I was all ready to go get the engine warmed up a little and it started raining. I then went to meet a friend and by the time I got home it was time for Survivor. Next weekend.

[twobjshelbys]

I did it a week ago Friday. Drove to the gas station to get a Diet Coke warmed up the engine. I disconnected the battery. I put some Simple Green in a hose attached sprayer (for applying liquid fertilizer, etc) and sprayed down the engine with it. I think the mix was 2oz/gal so it was good and soapy. Let it sit a while, brushed around a little on some of the spots like on the valve covers, and rinsed. Used the leaf blower to remove dry. It also forces water out of the puddle areas like around the supercharger. It needed very little hand cleanup - a few water spots cleaned up with Spray Detailer. Looks better. Not that it was very dirty to begin with.

When done this way as a regular maintenance thing it won't get a large amount of oily buildup so should be easy to keep clean. This is the first time I've done this since I got the car in two years.