How to clean engine bay?

[blacknblue2002]

First off, let me just say that I live at the beach...and I work all of 50 feet from the sand. My car gets ocean spray constantly, and whenever I pop the hood I can just wipe sand off of things.

For as long as I can remember, I've been spraying down my engine w/ degreaser (while the alternator was covered)...and then hosing it down and waiting for it to all dry up before ever cranking the car again.

Are there any other techniques that I should be using that would be 'safer' for my engine. I want to keep everything clean from all of the filfthy sand and dirt so that they don't interfere with the way my car performs.

any advise or examples of what you guys generally do would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GettinThere]

...and whenever I pop the hood I can just wipe sand off of things...

You probably shouldn't wipe sand off of painted or chrome surfaces.

 

[GettinThere]

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=716228

This and other threads like it should help you.

 

[streethorse]

[/IMG] My engine never gets really dirty, only dusty. I just use an air hose and a paint
brush and sometimes a rag for the bad spots. Degreaser really makes a mess.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Do you guys get worried about water getting down in the spar plugs holes....that would cause bad misfires? It looks like the rubber seals OK...but do you guys worry about this.??

 

[04YELLOWGT]

I always steam clean my motor, I tried the degreaser and light water and it really did make a mess. As long as your careful with the steam cleaner it will do a great job.

 

[BennyBlown2v]

I use armor all tire shine, shines and cleans all surfaces, and is perfect for an un-cleared engine bay

 

[H What 4.6]

as far as water in the spark plus wells you should use a compressor to blow out the water that pools up there... thats what i do at least....

 

[2000fordstanggt]

as far as water in the spark plus wells you should use a compressor to blow out the water that pools up there... thats what i do at least....

thats a good idea. i might have to try that after i wash my engine in the sring.

 

[fobra559]

[/IMG] My engine never gets really dirty, only dusty. I just use an air hose and a paint
brush and sometimes a rag for the bad spots. Degreaser really makes a mess.

Same here, Engine looks good man

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

i have sprak plug wire caps that fill my SP holes completely, no water gets in there

 

[twogts4us]

My engine never gets really dirty, only dusty. I just use an air hose and a paint
brush and sometimes a rag for the bad spots. Degreaser really makes a mess.

Dittos here...

 

[BlackenedSVT]

buy a good steam cleaner. cleans the engine bay right up nicely

 

[Pirateinastang]

Since we're posting some clean engine bays heres mine. I just stay on top of it by dusting it once in a while but +1 for the steam cleaner.

 

[blacknblue2002]

Thanks guys...a lot of good advice in these replies...I have an air compressor but I need to buy an attachment hose that will allow me to spray air in the engine bay (I ony use the thing for putting air in tires)...I like the 'steamcleaner' idea, but I thought those things were expensive???...and I've always used armorall tire shine on the black pieces, but I still never get my engine looking as good as some of the ones posted...must take talent