I would like to clean out my engine bay before I add some performance items but I have two problems:
1. I do not know what procedures to follow
2. I have limited equipment at my disposal.

I would appreciate any input you may have on how to clean the engine compartment (degreaser and high pressure water?) Thanks in advance.

-Mike

 

Quarter Car Wash, does a great job.
If you suspect an electrical problem, leave the engine running. Just don't spend too much time around the carb.

I've done this on every car I've ever owned, only a 67 442 with a cracked distributor cap stalled.
Just had to let it dry off a little and all was fine.

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2001 Lariat SCrew / Oxford White / Sunset Orange Pearl (House of Kolor)
Truck Master Designs FD630-S AirDam, Gibson 9504/Split Rear Exhaust, Fac Moon Roof, 3:55LS, 6CD, Gen III/Beige Buckets, Cab Steps, Slider, Tow, Bed Extender, Bell Tech 2" Shackles, Snug Lid

Check out my Photo's at
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/xtruky

 

I have never really gotten a good cleaning from a car wash. I had to use Castrol superclean to get the baken on dirt out of there. ANd tat was a pain in the ****...

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97 F-150 Flareside
S/C
4x4 5.4L auto 3.55 LS.


Mods so far:
K Air Filter
SUPERCHIP!
Westin Grille Guard
JVC 12 disc CD Changer
2 (for now) 165 watt KC Daylighters
Must...Resit...Mudder...Syndrome.....

Future Plans
Hidden winch
Lift
Roll Bar


http://www.f150world.com/sprhck/

 

Hey, thanks guys. I'll probably use degreaser sparingly then since my engine isn't all that dirty. I appreciate the info.

Mike

 

It depends how far you want to go. I use a common stray on degreeser to get rid of the thick chunks of greese and mud and then I use simple green and a rag. It takes a long time depending on how picky you are but I made my 14 year old car engine bay look brand new. It got rid of all of the tinted yellow gas stains near the intake where I had a gas leak awhile back and it also got rid of the black charcoal stains on the firewall where I had an exhaust leak.

kev

 

The procedure is in your handy dandy owner's manual. Tells you where you can shoot water and what to avoid by covering with plastic.

 

I use a bunch of rags, 409, WD40 and some Zaino Z-16. Makes the Mustang's engine compartment look new except for that dang bare aluminum being oxidized, It's telling me it needs to be polished I haven't had to de-mud my truck's engine yet so I can't help ya there..

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.

1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17

My Home Page

 

Don't spray too much water around the spark plug holes. My friend with an F-250LD, 5.4 has replaced three coils and there was rust on the spark plugs. I think too much water may have helped kill the coils.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks,Expedition Center Console

 

Well I dont know if spraying water on your engine is smart. Cause when I changed my spark plugs I noticed that they are deep into the engine and when you spray your engine the water could get down into there which i do not think would be good. I use just some degreaser and rags works good and you cant hurt nothing that way. Just my thoughts. Joe D.

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I wash my engine every time I wash my truck. Use either 409 or Simple Green. I stay away from the coil pack and the alternator. Other than that is it all cleaned. Mine is 3 years old and still looks new. Even the dealership told me it looked good for being that old when it was in for waranty work. My dad cleans his the same way and he has 330,000 and not a porblem on his I-6.

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1998 Ford F150 4.2L V6
American Racing Rims
Brush Gaurd
Tinted Windows
Saving for lift and SuperChip
3.55 Rear
5 Spd.