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11-27-2006, 01:01 AM
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#1 | | Haole Grandpa Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Huntington Beach CA
Posts: 9,080
| DIY Cleaning the engine compartment
A clean engine bay is a happy engine bay! People ask me all the time how do you keep your engine bay so clean? The simple answer is, I clean it. 
To keep your engine bay clean and shiny you can follow these steps as we cleaned Pat's (cravin) engine bay. (also known as the "how to get a buddy to clean your engine for free" move) Start with a dirty engine...  Use some sort of household cleaner that in non-toxic. I advise against using the "grease cutting or degreasing cleaners" you find in auto parts stores. They are not good for your paint, electrical wiring and they drain to the ocean where I surf, not good. This is a simple cleaner that smells fresh like oranges...  Pat says you should use this cleaner!  Use a lot of it, it won't hurt your engine or paint. (just a precaution, try to avoid getting too much on any electrical components.   Spray, spray away!  This is what the engine will look like after the cleaner soaks for a few minutes.  If your engine is really dirty, you may want to use the foaming action...   Once the cleaner has had a chance to sit for a while, grab some cloths and start washing. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.   After you have wiped down all the parts of the engine and the bay, you'll want to rinse off the area. Use your garden hose with the spray nozzle set to MIST. This will allow you to fully rinse your engine without blasting water into the electrical components.  Notice how fine the spray of water is...  After you have rinsed the engine and bay, you may wish to take this optional step. If you have a portable shop vac, you can reverse the hose and use it as a blower to get the water out of hard to reach areas on the engine and the bay.    Once you have blown off the majority of the water, you can use some microfiber towels to dry off the rest of the engine and bay.  Again, get all the tight places.  When you are done, stand back and admire your clean engine and bay!  | 
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11-27-2006, 01:08 AM
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#2 | | Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SO.CAL. "LOOK BEHIND YOU"
Posts: 1,444
| thanks for that you guys i do and use the same stuff and xb is happy.
i know it will need a good cleaning after the paint shop  | |
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11-27-2006, 01:11 AM
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#3 | | ClubxB's OG Member
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rosemead, SoCal
Posts: 14,085
| so thats how your engine bay get SO clean! 
thanks for the tips, Taz! and thanks to Pat for the use of his xB in this demostration. | |
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11-27-2006, 01:19 AM
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#4 | | Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cameron Park, CA
Posts: 354
| so next time im down in HB ill stop by for an engine detail! | |
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11-27-2006, 01:24 AM
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#5 | | Super Duper Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Studebaker heaven
Posts: 3,902
| This procedure only took 1/2 hour. Thanks for the clean engine taz!  | |
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11-27-2006, 08:09 AM
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#6 | | Mother Lover...
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pearland, Texas (Houston)
Posts: 7,553
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11-27-2006, 09:04 AM
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#7 | | Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NOT HERE
Posts: 368
| Looking good.
I prefer to use " Mr. Clean" fom the dollar store, it's an old school method.
Doesn't hurt rubber or plastic wiring components. And only costs a dollar from
the dollar store ! | |
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11-27-2006, 09:12 AM
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#8 | | Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Port Allen, Laweezyana
Posts: 1,820
| Another way is to use the the ArmorAll cleaning wipes(purple container) then go over it with the protectant wipes...I did that for a show and I was impressed at how good it came out... | |
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11-27-2006, 04:52 PM
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#9 | | Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 626 boba town
Posts: 890
| thanks taz and pat i appreicate it =) | |
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11-27-2006, 05:07 PM
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#10 | | Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cold Springs,Nevada
Posts: 121
| Great DIY!
One suggestion for the chemical end of it though....
Well,I was going to put a link up for Moto-Wash but Mr.Moto's website says that they no longer have it and has been discontinued!  Man,that stuff was great and it smelled like bubble gum to boot!
This stuff works good also...more of what you were already using...citrus base. http://store.interlocracing.com/mucl.html
Geez,I thought I had something positive to give to the forum....  | |
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11-27-2006, 05:25 PM
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#11 | | Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SD
Posts: 366
| Killer DIY!!
My two cents....Id wrap the alternator with some aluminium foil, and some plastic wrap around where the dip sticks meets the dip stick tube, just to have another layer of security to further insure no water got where it shouldnt.
Some cleaners that have high levels of citrus oils can etch some metals. I personally just use the same shampoo I use on my paint, but Im sure the bathroom citrus as shown would be fine. Better to go too weak than too strong IMO.
On a side note, Simple Green is NOT recommended under the hood. It can discolor aluminium parts.
Last edited by heathenbrewing : 11-27-2006 at 05:37 PM.
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11-27-2006, 05:48 PM
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#12 | | FUSCION CAR CLUB
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seal Beach, CA
Posts: 3,405
| hey taz...i think imma call you and do this to my car soon...well that is if it ever runs right | |
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11-27-2006, 05:55 PM
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#13 | | RADIER HATER!!!
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fountain Valley, CA
Posts: 1,208
| Taz how much longer you going to be on vacation.....I have a few DIY's that you can do using my car...... lol. Agian your the man for posting all the great DIY's......... I think were going to have to shave that head and call you Mr. Clean............ | |
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11-28-2006, 12:45 AM
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#14 | | Haole Grandpa Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Huntington Beach CA
Posts: 9,080
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by EticketXb Taz how much longer you going to be on vacation.....I have a few DIY's that you can do using my car...... lol. Agian your the man for posting all the great DIY's......... I think were going to have to shave that head and call you Mr. Clean............ | You mean something like this.....  | |
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11-28-2006, 01:37 AM
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#15 | | FUSCION CAR CLUB
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seal Beach, CA
Posts: 3,405
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by surfcitylocal You mean something like this..... | awwww its my traffic school buddy and my local xb stud | |
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11-28-2006, 02:01 AM
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#16 | | Undercover Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In Da Garage!
Posts: 10,307
| Nice write-up, Taz. My engine looked like Pat's at one time. I used this "Greased Lightning Blast" stuff I got at Wal-Mart, works great!
*I belong to the "Mister Clean" club too!* | |
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11-28-2006, 02:09 AM
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#17 | | Super Duper Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Studebaker heaven
Posts: 3,902
| Just to let everyone know thats the first time I let my engine get that bad. 
But someone had to be the stunt double!  | |
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11-28-2006, 09:20 AM
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#18 | | Haole Grandpa Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Huntington Beach CA
Posts: 9,080
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by DTRAIN619 Nice write-up, Taz. My engine looked like Pat's at one time. I used this "Greased Lightning Blast" stuff I got at Wal-Mart, works great!
*I belong to the "Mister Clean" club too!* | The Mister Clean Bros  | |
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11-28-2006, 12:38 PM
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#19 | | Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City, North, MO
Posts: 3,028
| Awesome DIY. I gotta do this whenever it's not raining or cold. | |
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11-28-2006, 12:56 PM
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#20 | | otoh ko toh neh
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seafood City
Posts: 3,033
| nice write up mr Taz, and Mr. Pat!!!!!!
Mannn!!! I really wish I can hang with you guys on one of this exclusive events.
sid | |
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