I was actually scared to clean my engine bay, but it needed it bad! I'm glad I did, because it actually runs better now...

Simple Green is the Stuff to use!

Need:
Hose (water)
Simple Green
Some Rags
Paper Towels
Air Compressor (with blower thingy on it) **optional**
-I've seen people use leaf blowers - might be more readily available to most, but risk blowing dirt back in the engine.


Step 1: Cover all Sensors and exposed wires...I Used tin foil...works well.

Step 2: LIGHTLY SPRAY down the engine bay with water.

STEP 3: coat the entire engine with simple green, being very generous with your spraying. (the bottle was new - you can see how much i used...) Let the chemical sit for 10 mins.

STEP 4: Use a rag and loosen some of the more tough/dirty areas, and don't be afraid to re apply the Simple green.

STEP 5: LIGHTLY SPRAY down the engine bay, making sure all the chemical is off the engine.

STEP 6: Using your air compressor blow dry the entire engine bay.

Voila!

 

craps i need to do this bad...... it came out good.

 

Thanks, think i might polish a couple of the metal pieces. to really make it look clean.

 

simple green? damn never thought of using that. and i have it as well, yay!!

 

what wires did you cover exactly?

 

I just covered all the sensors, basically...if it looked important...i covered it.

 

make sure to cover the PCM, ignition coils, and Alternator.

do NOT do this if your car has been started recently. The engine needs to be dead cold when you do this or bad things can happen.
After you've rinsed it off, you can remove the tin foil / plastic bags and go for a quick spin. That should help dry it all off.

 

rcpilot: why did someone write on your battery cover?

 

I dont know, and I was Pissed!! I tried all different kinds of solvents...might try to sand it off...

 

Sanding will remove the texture from the plastic, so unless you want one odd looking cover I would not suggest it. It looks like white marker.

 

Sorry to disagree Jedi but Simple Green or Purple Power work best when the engine is slightly warm. Not after you've been racing around town, but after starting and idling for about 5 minutes. You need to be careful what you're covering when the engine is warm, but it's not an issue from idling.

A small toothbrush style cleaning tool works great on those stubborn areas rcpilot. And try a very light grit sand paper on your battery cover. Worse case scenario you can repaint it black.

 

high five very nice!

 

I read Jedi as being concerned with the cold water cracking the hot metal in the engine (correct me if I'm wrong)...I would rather do it dead cold and have to scrub a little more than risk warming up the car to make the simple green work better.

On topic: Engine bay looks great! Makes me want to do this.

 

^^^ you are correct, that is what I was referring to.

 

I think i might just cover the battery and fuse covers with racing heat film...a little bling :D

Be great if I could find Red...just gold and silver surfaced so far.

my car was slightly warm...was driving around noon, and didn't get to cleaning until about 3 or 4... so plenty of time to cool...perfect temp in my opinion.

(BTW any of you that have new aftermarket front fender/bumpers...do you have the original road guard? The plastic shield that goes under the front of the car...Driving through the flooding I think loosened it and the screws all fell out and it was getting mangled under the car. I need to replace it.)

Great shot 7andan8!

 

try goo gone? on your batt cover.. if its a paint or marker the googoone should be able to take it off

 

I have it and I will Try it tonight...thanks!

 

Hmmm I was told by someone at my dealership that its BAD to get water into my engine bay, Idk why though? I'm gonna have to try this...

 

they probably told you that because most people will go to a self car wash, pop the hood, and BLAST their engine bay with water.

 

looks good man but if you use the simple green motorsport (blue in color) it works even better then the original stuff.

 

you do realize this is thread from 2009, right??

 

I did this with a citrus cleaner spray I had, after I removed the insulation from the sides and firewall. Engine bay looked so much newer. I would recommend taking off the engine cover and spraying the upper intake manifold as well because alot of grease and dust tend to build up in the little waffle like squares on top of the manifold.

 

Anyone else scared as hell to do this? I wiped down my engine bay which I am ashamed to say isn't great. I seen ones that are much worse but I want it really clean. The water is my main issue. Last week I wiped down the engine bay with damp papertowel. Wrong idea. Left a residue. I got some old t-shirts I am going to use next time. I dont own a power washer or air compressor. I am so stupid but the Regensis cover comes off when doing this? No one covers their alternator?

 

I literally have done this 100 times without issue on every car I have ever owned. Just be smart about and it will be fine.

A clean engine bay is a must.

 

This thread should be revived more often. Looks great 9k, especially without the insulation material around the edges.