Do you wash/clean your engine?

[trinacriabob]

Yesterday, I was cleaning around the engine bay with a rag, an old toothbrush and some cleaning fluids for this purpose.

When I had my very first Cutlass (carburetor, no electronics), I would go to those wash places and steam clean the engine on a self-serve basis. Not any more. I am willing to employ elbow grease.

BTW, are there are benefits to a clean engine other than the way it looks (which can be very nice)?

[ocnblu]

I'm sure it's gotta run cooler if it's clean. My engine has been powerwashed once by me with this vehicle, it wasn't really dirty, but it looked a lot better afterward. The automatic car wash I go to has a pretty strong underbody wash that spritzes the undercarriage while you drive into position in the bay. That seems to keep the Colorado's underbelly pretty clean. I don't go mudding any more, so it doesn't need much.

[NOS2006]

Well, I painted my entire engine when I had it apart, but haven't kept it real clean since. What does that count for in the poll?

[Sixty8panther]

I voted NO because compared to SpedingPenguins Malibu

and my buddy's '67 Camaro my engne is downright filthy.

Well... the Super 88s is semi-clean but I don't really want

to clean it as the car is so original I'll probably do more

harm then good and the Q45s has not seen a winter since

it's been steam cleaned by the dealership we bought it

from. Cleaning my engine has never been a top priority

for me. I'm not a clean freak when it comes to the

mechanical components in a car. Then again with my

eventual 2010 Camaro which I'll probably buy new I will

most likely be more A.R. about cleanliness etc.

[Robert Hall]

I can't remember the last time I opened my hoods...

[capriceman]

every time water gets under my car and into the engine bay, i have to get the electrical tape to cover the check engine soon light.

[HarleyEarl]

I have to admit I always keep my engine clean. My mechanic loves it.

[Nick]

I keep everything clean. Of course, that includes the engine. It's pretty clean, could be cleaner I suppose.

[ToniCipriani]

No, but I want to. I don't know the proper way.

[Northstar]

We always cleaned the engines at the dealership. Basically, if it's not too dirty, just take a power washer and wash off the dirt. But if it's rather dirty, power wash it, then wash it with some car wash, and then power wash it again. To dry it try I guess use a towel (I used an air gun). Then, if you want it to look really clean, spray some tire dresser on it and then wipe the excess off. Or, you can spray the tire dresser on it before you dry it and then just power wash it again after you spray on the tire dresser to get the excess dressing off.

[Turbojett]

I usually wash my car at the power wash stalls, and I always noticed the "engine cleaner" option. this last time I took the Cobalt to the wash was the first time I'd ever cleaned my engine with it. the plastic cover was pretty dirty, so I just gave it a spray wth the engine cleaner, let it soak, and then rinsed it clean. no big.I don't think I actually got the engine itself, though, but ah well...

[Nick]

No, but I want to. I don't know the proper way.

182813[/snapback]

Basically put a plastic bag over anything you don't want water to get in to...You should be good for the most part. A plastic bag over any electrical is always a good idea (such as any ecu stuff under the hood), or if you have an exposed intake like a cold air intake or something, then obviously a plastic bag over the filter is also a good idea.

[Cory Wolfe]

Um... my grand am was worthless to clean under the hood (ugh, talk about dirty). My Millenia... is better, much better, but then I hear Millenia's are very sensitive to water (thank god for places like C&G in the Mazda world). There's so much you'd have to cover it's just a hassle. I'll take a rag and wipe off surface dirt, however. So... where's the "other" option for this poll?

[Satty]

I do the opposite, I poop on my engine.

[ocnblu]

Wow I'll bet it smells great after an all-day interstate run.

[daves87rs]

I do the opposite, I poop on my engine.

182857[/snapback]

Then you complain it runs like "$h!"... :rotflmao:

[daves87rs]

I've been afraid to powerwash mine...

I usually try to hand wash it...

[pow]

I've tried it once and ended up needing a new camshaft position sensor. Luckily it was under warranty, but still...

(Now it really needs it as the power steering hoses are leaking a bit...)

[GMTruckGuy74]

No, but I want to. I don't know the proper way.

182813[/snapback]

Hahaha... I asked this question like a month or so ago! My Malibu engine and underhood area is in a dire need of a wash. I had a '92 Cavalier Z24 that I used to spray some Simple Green on, use a toothbrush to scrub some areas, and then hose off (the only thing I covered was the open air cleaner). I did this for about 5/6 years, at least once a year - never a problem. Then I had a '95 Trans Am that I washed the engine once and the car wouldn't start for over two hours. This made me stop doing this when I cleaned cars. However, I'd like to clean the engine areas again so maybe I'll suck it up and just do it. Hopefully I won't mess up the Malibu!!!

[regfootball]

Do you wash/clean your engine?, Cleanliness under the hood

thanks, to answer your question, we just got a nice 2 jet/massage shower head system for our bathroom recently. I am able to keep my engine quite clean with the handy second head and hose. My engine stays nice and clean.

[regfootball]

actually, i'd love to clean the engine bay, but worry about the effects of the water. also, here in MN, we get salt under the hood. Nice to get it out if you can. Under the hood of my v8 sho there was no room other than engine so very little crud got under the hood. If you have a car with lots of open space under the hood and the more nooks for air and water to get into, you'll get lots more crud.

Edited August 22, 2006 by regfootball