I read the Lightning FAQ on Engine Cleaning, but have found that the 409 really doesn't work too well.
A buddy of mine with a S'Charged 'Stang uses something Green... Soylent Green, Solid Green, Simple Green, something. I can't remember. Can someone help me out? What do you use?

Colin

 

Simple Green is likely what he referred to. I use it carefullyon a rag and it cuts grease well.

Doug
PS Thanks for checking the FAQ. I have been struggling with updating it all weekend. Just got done reinstalling Windows to fix problem updating the FAQ - So I hope its worth it

 

Simple green. It works very good as a degreaser, and it's not very harsh. I have been just rinsing my engine compartment with the spot free rinse at the car wash on a regular basis. So far it all still looks brand new.

 

I spray Simple Green liberally on the engine, and then hose it off with low-pressure water. It works great.

 

Simple Green, motor running, light mist of water.

Good as new...

 

Also, one more question that I forgot to ask. Should I take my K&N/Airaid out? Or just try to avoid spraying it with Simple Green?

Is Simple Green something I can buy at AutoZone or any auto store?

Thanks for the help.

 

Somebody posted that CD Engine Detailer worked great. I couldn't find it locally buy did find it at http://waxdepot.safeshopper.com/65/315.htm?413 at a price much less than other places. I ordered some but it hasn't arrived yet. I'll post how it works. While waiting I Zainoed the under side of the hood. I was going to put a second coat on today but went outside and the temp was 99. Decided to go back inside and do an inside "honey do" in the air conditioning.
noelvm

 

Hi guys! When I want to dress and clean my engine I grab 2 or 3 cans of spray tire foam and a couple of old rags. Just spray and becareful not to get silicone on the glass and fenders but spray the engine down even the firewall wipe off the excess and Whoa, best secret I have learned in a long time. No more $25 trips to the detailer, I can do it in the driveway the same time I detail my truck.

 

I've been waiting for this question and, just happened to clean my L's eng. today. This is a method I got out of some ricer 'zine maybe 8 or 10 years ago. I have used it on 4 different vehicles--all with computers and, therefore, sensors (in the eng. compartment).

I did remove my JL Ram air filter(just the filter) and stuffed a 90mm(j/k) towel in the JL adaptor. I also reconnected the boost dump conecter that I leave disconnected all the time.

Then, sprayed Eagle One TIRE Cleaner over and onto everything in the eng. compartment being careful of overspray getting on the fenders. In fact, I had sprayed the fenders with water beforehand to dilute any possible overspray. The tire cleaner dissolves oil & grease. Don't let it dry out though. After a few minutes, I hit it with water pressure, blasting away the dirt & grime.

Then dry off the eng. You can drive it with the hood cracked open or use a fan.

Next, spray everything with Eagle One TIRE Protectant. It's a milky looking, coconut scented liquid. It will soak/absorb into rubber surfaces(never has affected the belts). Let it soak, dry for at least an hour--overnight is better. Then wipe down everthing you can reach with an old cotton t-shirt or rag.

All the parts(aluminum, steel, plastic, nylon, rubber, etc. will have a low-cast glow. They will not 'shine' as they do if you spray lacquer--just a nice, low-key finish.

 

I always just trade my truck in on a new one J/K I use the same method as Tampa. Clean enough to eat off of.

 

Yep...

 

Gang:

I spray liberally with Simple Green, let it sit for a while, scrub it, then hose off liberally with low-pressure water. The Simple Green is very sudsy and persistent, so you need to rinse it a lot. Then I repreat the procedure with a soapy sponge. Following this, everything gets toweled off.

I do this every time I wash the 'Bolt. Needless to say, the engine bay looks better than the day it was born. I also wax the inside of the hood and all of the other painted parts in the engine bay.

I can't say enough for Simple Green. It's very effective at removing crud, yet gentle on the finish and other surfaces. You can get it anywhere - Wal Mart is a good place to score a half gallon refill. If you belong to Sam's Club, you can get it by the gallon.

 

Has anyone used simple green on the inner wheel wells? I was just going to buy a can of eagle one tire cleaner to treat this area, but if sg will work, saves me a few bucks.

Bob

 

So you can just spray your engine with water? I've always had this instilled-fear that something would go horribly bad if I sprayed water directly on my engine.

Daniel

 

Daniel:

Spray it with the motor running and only use a mist, not a hard stream of water.

Run it until it's, for the most part, dry again.

You shouldn't have any problems....

Rich