Cleaned my engine for the first time

A

airjames

New member
Ok I know I did something wrong here and I seek help. Most of you know or some of you anyway know that I have a 98 Ranger Flareside with a 2.5 dual plug engine and 50K miles on it. Well I got bored, and got up off my butt and wanted to clean my engine. It wasn't really bad but enough to make you want to do something about it.



I warmed up the motor for about 5 mins and shut it off, it was warm but not hot. Using Aluminum foil to mask off the ignition coil, battery posts, and alternator and some of the other sensors, I tried to mask off as much of the electricals as possible. Of course there some other sensors exposed but I didn't feel the need to get every single electrical component in there. Using Eimann Fabrik Engine Degreaser, I sprayed it all around going from bottom to top,,,, the engine was looking better already :cool: Using the long handled brush from CMA I went to work, now this stuff was leaving this really thick gooey like film all over the rubber areas and fan shroud. I thought nothing of it and kept on going. I sprayed the engine down throughly and could see all the dirt, grime, etc... just rinse away. I was very happy with it.



Now here is what gets me. I go for a drive to dry off the engine and return to my house about 15 mins later. I pop the hood and WTF DO I SEE?!?!!?!? Faded everywhere, residue, the engine looked like it was never cleaned before, had about 200K miles on it, and right now I can't describe how ticked off I am. OF all the sh!t I screw up, paint, wheels, ENGINE, you name it I can mess it up alright. Someone please tell me WTF I did wrong, sorry no pics. All I'm trying to do is give the best for my Ranger, I'm about ready to just say, to hell with it, i don't care and just don't do anything with it!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad: :grrr :grrr :grrr Any detailers in Ohio within 30 miles of Willard?!?!?!??!
 
well when i do my engine i do alot different, i cover electirical like you. Then i have stuff like Orange Clean, found it at Pep Boys for $2.50, i mixed about 50/50 water and orange clean in a spray bottle. Then sprayed the whole engine down with it, wipin of where needed. Its strong enough where it can be sprayed on and washed off, but some things required u to wipe it down. When i was satisfied it was clean i took Armor All Tire foam and sprayed the entire engine down with it. Closed the hood, turned the car on for 5 minutes and reved the engine a few times. turned off and popped the hood and wiped off the excess. look AMAZING. i suggest you try it.
 
Thanks Beason,



I went back at it alittle bit ago to see if I could get it any better. Broke out the P21S Total Auto Wash and went to town. There's still some missing spots but it does look better than what it does. Need some dressing for it as well. Anyone else who wants to butt in, feel free,,,,,,,91
 
I'm not sure what your problem is really...but you should have dressed your engine with something like Engine Kote, i'm guessing since you didn't dress it, that's your problem.
 
Carefull with Engine Kote. It's kinda like a wax (smell it) and if you use a poor sprayer, it beads all over and is a PITA to wipe around to cover B4 it sets up. I'm waiting for my 303.



I've also heard of it painted on with a foam brush.



For now, I still use #40 for all rubber/plastic and it's fine, but you still have to wipe it dry or the oil from it attracts dust/dirt like mad.



I use the EK just for wheel wells and undercarriage for now.





Deanski
 
This is one reason i like to stick with what i know. If i find something that works well it's hard to get me to switch to something else. I guess i'm a " if it ain't broke don't fit it " type of guy.



Here is what i do when i detail the engine bays of my civic and m3. It's very simple and effective.



#1 Cover all electrical devices with bags ( alternator, fuse boxes, ect.. )

#2 Test the cleaner on a small area before you spray the engine down with it. ( I use Simple Geeen )

#3 Spray engine with cleaner and let sit for a few minutes

#4 Wash engine with a towel ( I use the MF towels from Wal*Mart )

#5 Scrub hard to reach areas with an old tooth brush

#6 Rinse engine with a steady stream of water

#7 Repeat steps 3-6 as needed

#8 Dry as much of the water with a towel ( I use the Absorber )

#9 Remove bags and clean the covered parts by hand with a damp towel

#10 Close hood and start car. let idle for a few minutes, long enough to get warm or take it for a quick spin to help evaporate residual water.

#11 Apply you favorite dressing to the plastic/rubber parts and buff out to a nice satin shine.

#12 If you have corroded aluminum/metal use a polish to help remove it ( i like mothers mag and aluminum polish, it works great on everything ) You may want to test it before covering an entire part with it. Also some parts have protective coatings on them to help stop corrosion, the polish will most likely remove this coating. If it does it may result is rust or corrosion so be carefull.

#13 If the paint looks a little dull i'll spray some QD on a MF towel and wipe down the paint

#14 Stand back and enjoy.
 
I have never had a problem with "engine cleaning residue"...



When I am done cleaning the engine compartment (I use Simple Green Automotive formula, two parts of Simple Green to 1 part water), I take out my leaf blower and blow the water out of the engine compartment, then use an old Absorber chamois to pick up any residual drips. When the engine compartment is compleyely dry, , I apply dressing to the hoses and plastic parts, and go over the underhood metal with QD.... voila! a clean engine! :cool:
 
If it's your first time cleaning the engine bay or it's really dirty i suggest useing full strength Simple Green. I say this because Simple Greens isn't a really strong degreaser to start with. Once you get the initial cleanning out of the way i would advise diluting it with water to make it last longer, if you maintain it well you no longer need to use it at full strength.
 
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