I was wondering what you guys use to clean our valve covers without fading the red or rubbing the texture off.

 

Another local owner showed me this trick and it works well for me. I'm not that anal about what my engine bay looks like so I don't go to a lot of effort.
When the engine is cool, I spray the whole engine bay with Windex. Then I connect my garden hose to my hot water tap and hose the whole thing down. Works well for me.

 

I use a product called Desolve-It. It is a citrus based cleaning that works wonders on grease and oil.

 

Try a specially formulated engine cleaner; CD2 works very well and won't mar the finish of the valve cover. (And thats from someone who is anal )

Asif

 

another citrus based product:
eimann fabrik citrus engine degreaser

 

Is it safe to use a hose to hose the engine bay?? Won't the water damage anything??

 

Use a soft spray. Don't use a forceful spray, especially on anything that is electrical. I've done mine several times - no problems.
Also, try to use HOT water and don't do it when the engine is HOT.

 

wanabe - I purchased some of the eimann fabrik cleaner that I've used to clean my tires/wheels with great success - what's your process for cleaning out the engine bay with it???

thx!

 

Does simple green work pretty well for engine cleaning?? Mine is over do for a cleaning.

 

Simple Green will discolor the aluminum. Also, if your worried about electrical systems, use compressed air or a leaf blower or both to dry and blow the water out of the nooks and cranys.