How you use to clean your engines?

[Alfonso]

I've never saw a pic of a cobra with a dirty block.... in most of them all parts, intake, carb, etc are like new and many times it have a lot of miles...... I've heard about cleaning with water, with steam, with chemicals...... How you use to clean engine? Could damage electrical compounds?

Thanks!

Alfonso

[427 S/O]

NAPA brake cleaner, case is about $20 and last all summer.

[Buzzmobile]

simple green....

[Clois Harlan]

Once a year I go by NAPA and get some GUNK engine cleaner but I don't use it on the engine. I jack my car up and spray a couple of cans on the underside of my car (including my oil pan). Then I drive to the local car wash and spend a couple bucks washing the radiator, underside, wheels, tires, under the gas tank, trans., oil pan etc. Bring it back home and use the Brake cleaner for everything under the hood.

Through out the year I will use the brake cleaner on spots that may have gotten dirty or oily from roads or me missing the funnel while changing oil. I use Simple Green to keep my garage floors clean as well as any parts I may take off that needs cleaning.

Clois

[d_ford]

Don't let it build up and get ahead of you. Wipe the engine off often, and at the first sign of any kind of leak, fix it before it becomes a problem.

[vettestr]

All great info and I second the Simple Green but stress the concentrate version. I buy the gallon jugs and put in a spray bottle with mist setting. Every car I own gets a spray down any time I open the hood to keep clean.
I have found it does not dull paint or hurt anything but do keep off mirror finishes or wipe off ASAP. The stuff just dries and keeps on working and does not smell bad as a big plus. If starting on a grimmy engine it takes a little more work. Go to a car wash with a pressure washer and get the big chunks off and start working on the buildup.

[priobe]

I read somewhere on the net that powersteering fluid works well for rubber and hoses. Not only does it keep the rubber soft but also gives it a shine like armor all.

Has anyone heard of this?

[jeffko]

S1000 is a motorcycle cleaning product. I would guess it was developed because of all the impossible to reach places on a bike. Anyway, I hear it is the best thing out there and I know a guy that swears by it. Supposedly it does an outstanding job and all you have to do is spray it on and hose it off. No residue or shine, just clean. I have not picked any up yet, but I think it is about $15 for a large amour-all sized bottle. Can't hurt to try it.

[trularin]

Perry! I'm with you on that.

Then you need to get the 50 count rag assortment for $10.00.

Workes great. Stone chips are becoming a problem. I've been thinking of a small paintbrush and touch up paint.

[scott cooper]

i use a product from Chemical Universe called Nature Sol 02 dont need to use high pressure, spray it on the use hose soft water engine looks like the day it was installed, does not hurt paint or rubber, 816-471-3602 i think around 12 bucks they take credit card, last bottle lasted almost a year, just my two cents

[dlowman]

A great way I used to clean my car is. While the engine is cold. Spray everything with simple green. Wash it away. Then spray everything with armor all let dry about 15 mins then wipe off the excess. Been doing this for years for car shows and it works great.

Dan