How to attack this engine detail (pics)

E

Evenflow

New member
I only do exterior and interior details, never engine detailing really. But I opened my hood today to check my oil dipstick and noticed my engine is pretty scummy looking.



Engine1.jpg


Engine4.jpg


Engine3.jpg


Engine2.jpg




I turned the water off, and put the hose away. Im thinking about sticking with OTC degreasers (Orange Blast, Purple Power).



Would this be a good approach.



Spray down compartment with degreaser

Wipe with Costco MF towel

Wipe down with water

Dress with CD2 Engine Detailer



Would I have to cover anything since I wont be using a steady stream of water?
 
It doesn't look THAT bad. You could probably get away without degreaser. I, for one, would want to hose off the engine if I used a degreaser on it. Try a quick detailer on it or maybe some 303. I would just wait until winter is over to do a good job on it though.
 
I've tried the waterless method, and it never comes out quite right. I'd just coat it down with tire foam (the kind that cleans and shines) and live with it until summer. Once summer comes around, do it the right way with a hose and degreaser.
 
Doesn't look like it'll need a really potent degreaser or an "engine cleaner" to me either.



I'd use some P21s TAW and a collection of brushes and (lots of) swabs. If you have a steamer handy I'd use that too. Then dress with something like the 303. If any specific areas give you trouble you can post back, somebody here has probably dealt with them already.



FWIW the engine compartment of my beater-Blazer was a *LOT* nastier than that and it cleaned up surprisingly well. I bet you can at least make a big improvement on it now and then get by with a second, less intensive job come spring.
 
themightytimmah said:
I've tried the waterless method, and it never comes out quite right. I'd just coat it down with tire foam (the kind that cleans and shines) and live with it until summer. Once summer comes around, do it the right way with a hose and degreaser.
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Yeah , ArmorAll tire foam should easily clean that up for the time being.

Spray it on , wait a few minutes, then wipe it down.

Works surprisingly well.....
 
On newer car, when I HAVE to do an engine job. I never cover anything. Most all if it is covered anyway and anything that isn't covered will withstand water. Just remember NEVER use a hard blast of water, only a light spray.
 
Danase said:
On newer car, when I HAVE to do an engine job. I never cover anything. Most all if it is covered anyway and anything that isn't covered will withstand water. Just remember NEVER use a hard blast of water, only a light spray.
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I was waiting for someone to mention this.

On newer cars it's just a precaution....consider it more of a neccessity on older vehicles.
 
I read a tip where someone used WD-40 to help waterproof

sensitive areas. The theory makes sense as the "WD" in WD-40

stands for "water displacement"....:nixweiss

...somethin to think about.
 
When doing an engine, unless I'm going for a concours looks where the metal is polished etc, I use a fairly quick cleaning routine or a rinse down with water from a watering can through the rose (light sprinking so you dont force water into places where it shouldn't be), then spray from the ground up with Autoglym Engine & Machine Cleaner, agitate gently with a brush and rinse with the watering can. The I spray on Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care, close the bonnet and the jobs done. Pop the bonnet at the end of the detail and the engine is clean and dressed, and if there are any area where the V&R has streaked slightly, a wipe with a cloth damp with the V&R does the trick... Nice and easy.



Regarding what to cover up, I will cover up battery terminals and thats pretty much it on a modern engine... considering the water ingression into a typical bay when driven thorugh a puddle (or in my case last week, flood water - it was unavoidable and I got seaweed in my wheel arches... :cry: ), a light sprinking of water will do no harm. Modern engine electrics are well shielded anyway... On older cars, I will cover up things like the coil and distributor, battery connections and any open elec plugs and contacts.
 
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