Is there a proper method to clean the engine bay? Can I just hose down everything in there and wipe clean with a rag, or do I need to purchase a special cleaner? Or is that not a good idea cause not good to get water in the engine bay?

 

I've owned several Hondas and here is what I have always done. About once a month, after washing the car, I use the "old" soapy water to wash off all the areas under the hood. Don't forget the underside of the hood too. Then I use a light spray of water to rinse the soap off, not a forceful stream. I've never had any trouble starting the car afterwards. That how I do it. When I sold my accord that had 225,000 miles on it, the new owner could not believe the car had that many miles on it because the engine bay was so clean. If you do this regularly, it's not a big job....

 

I've used a wand CW sprayer for many years with no problem.. others have other ideas..

http://www.s2000online.com/forums/showthre...p?threadid=5921

 

Simple Green works very well.

 

S100 from a motorcycle shop works very well. Seems to go easy on waxed surfaces too.

 

Here's how the experts do it:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/autopia/endet.html

 

As a side note, always do it when the engine is cold. Some of the engine cleaning products tell you to do it when it is hot, because it will give a steam cleaning effect.

I think I killed my 87 civic's head gasket doing that.....it causes the metal to cool down too fast....although that one was cast iron block/aluminum head. It was a dumb move, but the car did have 140,000 on it.

Just $.02 to save $3000