How Do You Keep Your Engine Clean?

I usually like to wipe mine down dry or with a little windex to cut the grease. I prefer not to spray the engine since the water might get into sensitive electrical areas and such.
I understand that if you spray you should cover all electrical connections to be safe.

C.

I use a pump-style garden sprayer with simple green. Just spray the engine down with the light pressure of the sprayer, let it sit for about 10 minutes, spray it again, and then hose it off. Don't use a sprayer to hose it off, just let the water run out the end of the hose with no extra effort or force. Do that every month or 2, or 3 and it will stay very clean.

Also, DON'T SPRAY ANY CHEMICALS under there to shine things up. Most things that people use to make an engine pretty can cause damage to the belts, or just make them sleep and squeel

I found out years ago that WD40 acts as a wonderful preservative for the engine compartment. I initially used it to lube moving parts but I found that the engine would stay much cleaner with the resulting overspray. I sold a Subaru a number of years ago with a 170k very easily because the engine compartment looked nearly new and had the look of a well cared for engine.

As soon as a new car gets home the engine compartment gets a spray down with WD. It will attract dust but the oily film prevents a lot of other stuff from discoloring the metals. A pressure wash 3 or 4 times a year along with a fresh application of WD is all it takes to keep the engine looking new.

I have used Simple Green for several years. Works great, but the process is a lot easier if you keep at it on a regualr basis. I used to show a Datsun 280Z and a Corvette. Both were stock and looked like new. Keeping the Corvette clean is always a challange because of the terrible design of the Chevy Valve covers.

I have this same question. I know there are "engine detailers" but I'm sure that costs an arm and a leg. I'll pick up some Simple Green and some tire shine today.

Also, gorgeous engine bay on that civic andyman97.

RedBeast said:

I have this same question. I know there are "engine detailers" but I'm sure that costs an arm and a leg. I'll pick up some Simple Green and some tire shine today.

Also, gorgeous engine bay on that civic andyman97.

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Thanks, man. It's really not that difficult to keep it straight. I had my accord for 2 years and only washed the bay a handful of times but it stayed looking new. If we end up doing a MD/DC meet, maybe we can swing by a car wash or something and I can show you how easy it is.

andyman97 said:

Thanks, man. It's really not that difficult to keep it straight. I had my accord for 2 years and only washed the bay a handful of times but it stayed looking new. If we end up doing a MD/DC meet, maybe we can swing by a car wash or something and I can show you how easy it is.

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That is just one more reason to make it happen. I'll PM you later.

JRRRR said:

When looking at how clean and shiny a new car engine is, I always think about how to keep it that way. I don’t work on today’s complicated technologic engines like I use to in my younger years when I was growing up with used cars built in the 50s, and 60s. But I still like to see a clean engine, and I’m sure that any mechanic would rather work on a clean engine (and other car parts). Plus I believe that a clean engine says something about the person that owns the car. Rinsing it off each time I wash the car helps, but I have always found that after time a dirt film will coat everything and it seems that the only way to get it off is to take a rag to it. But, it is very difficult to get to most of the engine and compartment for obvious reasons.

How do you keep your engine and compartment clean? I’m sure some use a chemical cleaner such as Gunk, some might use a power sprayer at the car wash. There are pro’s and con’s to these methods.... Richard

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Steam cleaning is an excellent method for cleaning the interior and engine, as steam penetrates deeply and since it is under high pressure and high temperature, even without chemical cleaners, it is effective and safe if the instructions are followed. It is also important to choose the right tool and watch reviews on YouTube and professional blogs. After researching various options, I came across an article about the Optima steamer and its limitations, which you can read about at https://www.fortador-usa.com/blog/do-not-buy-the-optima-steamer- before-reading-this. In the end, I chose a different product that was more effective and efficient.