Hey everyone,
I am looking for some tips on engine cleaning. My engine bay is fairly clean - no oil but has gotten fairly dusty on the new subdivision roads. The alternator and other bare metal parts have some mild corrision on them but it seems to wipe off. Does anyone have any advice - good cleaning products to use? (I have tried using some armoral brand cleaner that is safe for plastic, paint and metals)
Can I hose off my engine (not a pressure washer) safely? I know I will have to use some elbow grease. Maybe I will ask my wife to clean the engine bay for me!
Appreciate any advice!
Thanks.

 

I have heard those Shark brand steam cleaners work very well with a little "Simple Green" sprayed on first.

 

I suggest the wife as a engine bay cleaner. Your wife as mine is busy doing my engine bay

 

If it's just dust...grab a "swiffer" cloth and wipe the thing down...works like a charm...works good on the interior as well.

 

When it comes to mod motors...........DO NOT WASH THE ENGINE unless absolutely necessary and if you do dry off each and every coil BEFORE you restart the engine. Same goes for all electrical connections. Former owner of my new car just did the same thing before putting it up for sale but did not dry everything off.............3 coils dead / 5 coils with a problem. New coils = $1200.00 plus taxes from Ford.

 

Thanks for some tips. I will have to try the swiffer cloth. Anyone have any suggestions for getting the mild corrosion off of the alternator etc?
The corrosion seems to wipe off.

I guess I will keep the water away from the engine. no hose or pressure washer to be used.

 

sounds like BS...I've heard of many people spraying down mod motors and having no problems.

 

ya spray away, any water affecting the coil packs will dry up, $1200 for coils?????? like p.t. barnam said "theres one born every minute"

 

It becomes an issue when water gets past the coil seal / boot and fills or partially fills the plug cavity and shorts the coil or coils out. The coils are of poor enough quality that in many cases they do not survive.
The prudent move would be to remove the coils after washing and blow each coil and plug cavity dry, it's an easy 5 minute job that just might save you some grief and money.
Beleive what you like but yes Ford wants nearly $150/coil plus taxes, aftermarket coils can be had for just under $70 plus tax.
The only thing uncommon about what resulted with my own car is that it caused damaged to so many coils at once. Perhaps one or more had some sort of prior issue but for sure it could not have been to the extent it was after being washed as the engine barely ran well enough to move the car around let alone be driven.
As a licenced mechanic and an all around cheap skate when it comes to my own car I sincerley doubt I replaced all 8 of em if it only needed one or two.
Further, after replacing all 8 we tried each one of the old coils one at a time which comfirmed the original diagnosis.

 

I use Simple Green, works like a charm!