[s-cars] cleaning engine bay

[pkrasusky@ups.com]

Mr. 4 wondered:

<<<Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 23:38:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: forrest bradshaw <sola4est at yahoo.com>
Subject: [s-cars] cleaning engine bay


thanks guys, guess I'll be using lots of elbow power to clean this
mother.  question though, does wd-40 hurt the paint?  got some dirt
caked on painted surface near wheel well area below fire wall, gonna be
fun scrubbing that out.
saw the Anderson Motorsport UR Quattro at Road America, the valve cover
and intake manifold were painted (I think) a shiney light grey color
with lighter spots in it aswell, looked really good, I'd like to go that
route.  might have a pic will post if I find one.
Friend has a 200 20V and he power sprays and soaps his engine (running)
all the time, car misses for a while afterward but clears up, guess I'm
glad I never let him talk me into doing the same:)
but WD-40 and paint are my question
and again thanks for the advice, hope to soon join the ranks of blingin
engine bayz
 
4>>>




Dear Mr. 4-

FWIW, blah blah blah, YMMV...  here's my notsosecrets...  

1) Break lots of things that require engine bay parts removal, and take
the 'opportunity' to clean while you've got all that access.  Clean
engines are likely in cars that have been apart in one shape or form.
Got that bumper / radiator / nose off for a radiator replacement?  Clean
away!  8-)

B) Seriously, this has been great for me...  hit it with the DIY car
wash nozzle thingy @ the local car wash.  Select the 'wheel degrease'
option thingy, focus it on most gunked up areas (usually areas from
neglected valve cover gasket leaks on side and back of head, and failed
oil pressure switch under manifold, between fuel rail and head, and
vicinity of X plug on PS pump, etc.), keep it very deliberately away
from POS cover and any / every other electrical connection.  Then rinse
with LOW PRESSURE WATER (either just letting the nozzle trickle / wizz
the water out without pulling the trigger or pull the trigger in quick
pulse blasts).  

I've done this 2-3x with great result and no issue, you should be fine
doing this.  The degreaser works great, and then I douche her each
spring with simple green and light hose water.  It's not a bling issue
for me, a) it looks better and ii) it's a terrrrrrifffffic way to keep
an eye open for new / destined leaks.

The 4kq on the other hand, I bathed it in WD40 and hit with garden hose
and it F'd things up real nice like.  Caused breather hose to fail
(thanks for the score Mullane) and plug wires to arc to distributor
housing and miss like a mother until I noted the arcing.  

Again, YMMV, good luck.

-Paul one clean engine and 2 disgustingly filthy piglike ones K.