I'm curious as to what you all do to clean the engine and under the hood? I really want to keep that looking sharp and mine is looking a little dirty right now.

 

I just wash the car as normal and use the left over soap with an old sponge to clean the engine bay. Works fine.

 

With all my cars I've either been lucky or what I do works without a hitch... I use a spray bottle of Simple Green (full strength enviro-friendly cleaner stuff) sprayed onto a cool engine, let it sit for 10 minutes or so, use a sponge or soft brush to hit it up where I can and rinse it off.

So far the only negative aspect I've encountered is the strong licorice scent lingering for a day or two.

If my method is a "bad" method for any reason, I'd sure like to know

- Chris

 

Simple green is good stuff. Only thing I would be careful with is that over time it can be bad for rubber/plastic and it's a carcinogen. I'd try going to Pep-Boys and picking up a box of CD2. It's two aerosol cans. The first on you spray heavily on a warm engine and let it sit for about 10 min. then you just spray it off. The second is a detailer that you spray on and just let sit for about 10-15 min with an open hood before you drive it. It works really good. I use it on mine and even though it's a bad pic you can see in my sig. that it does a pretty good job. My car just hit 30k miles btw.

 

Yup CD2 is good also, I used it on the Eclipse. It's like $7 at Target.

 

I use S100 motorcycle cleaner, which I spray on a cold engine, let soak a few minutes, and hose off. I then detail any remaining grunge (there isn't much) with a soapy rag and rinse again. I finish by spraying the plastic/rubber bits with ArmorAll and the metal parts with WD-40. Then I run the engine for 10 minutes or so with the hood down to cook out any excess water.

I do this twice a year or so, and I've never had a problem.

 

Are you and the others who offered suggestions concerned about water spraying into the electronics? In the old days, if you kept the distributor dry, you were ok. Any specific areas to avoid?

Also, Simple Green full strength is some strong stuff -- I'd be very careful with it. I use it in my parts washer by the gallons. It will take the industrial grade paint off the floor.

 

WHAT! Am I the only one who washes off his engine everytime I wash the car. The easiest way is use the high pressure washer down the street. It uses mild detergant and high pressure. It works like a charm.

 

Just cover up the alternator and hose it off.

 

Meguire's Extra is the best stuff to use.

And if you use a hose you should cover up the airbox inlet with a towel or something.