How to clean engine bay? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TwentyTen2SSRS · 01-07-2015, 06:17 PM

I am going without engine cover and wondering what the best way to clean the engine bay is?

Is this something you can do yourself or does GM dealers do this? Detail shop?

Any help is appreciated.

JTruck · 01-07-2015, 06:47 PM

I just detailed my engine bay: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=390747

All you need is some all purpose cleaner and a bristle brush of some sort. As you can see in my thread, I covered the air intake and alternator.

Use a low pressure on the hose and hose down the whole bay, apply APC all over, agitate with the brush, allow it to dwell and then hose off and dry. You can apply dressing if you wish to the black plastic, I decided not to.

CamaroDreams07 · 01-07-2015, 07:09 PM

Boars hair brush would be preferred.

TwentyTen2SSRS · 01-07-2015, 09:08 PM

Boars hair brush? On from detailed image work okay? Or one specific CamaroDreams? And thanks JTruck going to go read your thread now

TwentyTen2SSRS · 01-29-2015, 11:30 PM

I can spray down the v8 with engine cover off? Or more stuff need to be covered up then?

JTruck · 01-30-2015, 09:06 AM

I would say you would be okay, but then again I am no expert when it comes to engines and water.

ClawSS · 01-30-2015, 09:18 AM

This is what I did with my Impala SS prior to shows and have been doing this ever since to all of my vehicles at least once a month.
The engine must be relatively clean to begin with so a beginning wash with a degreaser would be in order, but after that initial, this will suit you just fine.
I learned this from a friend in Texas, Gary Grant.

Engine Cleaning/Detailing

1) On a hot/warm engine, spray the entire engine compartment down with Windex. Close the hood and wait @ 3-5 minutes.

2) Lift the hood and mist the engine compartment with water. Now spray the entire area with Armor All. Close the hood and again wait 3-5 minutes.

3) Repeat the Windex and Armor All application again. Now, after the second coat of Armor All, close up the engine compartment and wash and detail the exterior of your car.

4)When you are finished, open the hood and wipe down any excess Armor All.

JTruck · 01-30-2015, 09:30 AM

One thing I would NEVER do is work on a warm engine, let alone a hot one.

ClawSS · 01-30-2015, 09:46 AM

Ya learn something new every day. The heat and steam generated is how the grease and grime is cut without using a brush. Look up the name and look at how many new car forums this method has been used.

pickwithaustin · 01-30-2015, 10:00 AM

I just keep my engines clean from the original build date and never have to worry about steaming em. An occasional wipe down with some all purpose wipes and a bit of polish of the chrome with a micro cloth.

TwentyTen2SSRS · 01-30-2015, 10:06 AM

What about the engine with no engine cover? Any issues here? Not sure about the hot engine working either. And windex and armor all mixture works Huh?

My engine isn't horrible bit just did a lot of cleaning up of wires, fuel rail flip etx and want to get it cleaned up again and not sure where to start

ClawSS · 01-30-2015, 10:21 AM

You guys are quite interesting to talk to. The engine bay is a harsh environment and is splashed with cool or cold water based on your weather. Secondly, as long as you do not use high pressure directly on electronic components, the weatherpac connectors will do their job. I do not recommend the high pressure steam cleaning wands or pressure washers...just this hand bottle spray technique on all surfaces and light misting from a normal garden hose with household pressure.

It is a tried and true method that you will not be disappointed with the results if you follow the instructions.

01-07-2015, 06:17 PM	#1
TwentyTen2SSRS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,972 View My Garage	How to clean engine bay? I am going without engine cover and wondering what the best way to clean the engine bay is? Is this something you can do yourself or does GM dealers do this? Detail shop? Any help is appreciated. __________________ Cold Air Inductions CAI • Stainless Power LT's with HFC's • Flowmaster American Thunder Cat Back • APEX Scoop and WW Relocation Kit • VMAX Ported Throttle Body • Custom Dyno Tune • Pfadt 1.25" Lowering Springs • ZL1 Rims on 275 front 315 Rear • custome underlay vinyl wrap • Anvil Spoiler • heritage grill • APR Front Splitter • Custom Emblempros emblems • ZL1 Side Skirts • 416.5 whp 410 torque (CURRENTLY) Up Next: BTR Stage 3 Cam and supporting mods (in garage now)

01-07-2015, 06:47 PM	#2
JTruck Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,693	I just detailed my engine bay: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=390747 All you need is some all purpose cleaner and a bristle brush of some sort. As you can see in my thread, I covered the air intake and alternator. Use a low pressure on the hose and hose down the whole bay, apply APC all over, agitate with the brush, allow it to dwell and then hose off and dry. You can apply dressing if you wish to the black plastic, I decided not to. __________________ Detailing is an involuntary obsession.

01-07-2015, 07:09 PM	#3
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	Boars hair brush would be preferred. __________________ [B]

01-07-2015, 09:08 PM	#4
TwentyTen2SSRS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,972 View My Garage	Boars hair brush? On from detailed image work okay? Or one specific CamaroDreams? And thanks JTruck going to go read your thread now __________________ Cold Air Inductions CAI • Stainless Power LT's with HFC's • Flowmaster American Thunder Cat Back • APEX Scoop and WW Relocation Kit • VMAX Ported Throttle Body • Custom Dyno Tune • Pfadt 1.25" Lowering Springs • ZL1 Rims on 275 front 315 Rear • custome underlay vinyl wrap • Anvil Spoiler • heritage grill • APR Front Splitter • Custom Emblempros emblems • ZL1 Side Skirts • 416.5 whp 410 torque (CURRENTLY) Up Next: BTR Stage 3 Cam and supporting mods (in garage now)

01-29-2015, 11:30 PM	#5
TwentyTen2SSRS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,972 View My Garage	I can spray down the v8 with engine cover off? Or more stuff need to be covered up then? __________________ Cold Air Inductions CAI • Stainless Power LT's with HFC's • Flowmaster American Thunder Cat Back • APEX Scoop and WW Relocation Kit • VMAX Ported Throttle Body • Custom Dyno Tune • Pfadt 1.25" Lowering Springs • ZL1 Rims on 275 front 315 Rear • custome underlay vinyl wrap • Anvil Spoiler • heritage grill • APR Front Splitter • Custom Emblempros emblems • ZL1 Side Skirts • 416.5 whp 410 torque (CURRENTLY) Up Next: BTR Stage 3 Cam and supporting mods (in garage now)

01-30-2015, 09:06 AM	#6
JTruck Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,693	I would say you would be okay, but then again I am no expert when it comes to engines and water. __________________ Detailing is an involuntary obsession.

01-30-2015, 09:18 AM	#7
ClawSS High-tech Redneck Drives: '10 CGM SS, '02 2500HD, '09 300SRT8 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 757	This is what I did with my Impala SS prior to shows and have been doing this ever since to all of my vehicles at least once a month. The engine must be relatively clean to begin with so a beginning wash with a degreaser would be in order, but after that initial, this will suit you just fine. I learned this from a friend in Texas, Gary Grant. Engine Cleaning/Detailing 1) On a hot/warm engine, spray the entire engine compartment down with Windex. Close the hood and wait @ 3-5 minutes. 2) Lift the hood and mist the engine compartment with water. Now spray the entire area with Armor All. Close the hood and again wait 3-5 minutes. 3) Repeat the Windex and Armor All application again. Now, after the second coat of Armor All, close up the engine compartment and wash and detail the exterior of your car. 4)When you are finished, open the hood and wipe down any excess Armor All. __________________ "My friends call me Chris. Are you my friend?" 2010 CGM L99 2SS/RS - GPI SS3 VVT, BTR DoD Delete, Circle D 4c, BTR springs, Katech C5R Timing Chain, MRR-228 315/275, CAI, Elite catch-can, TSP 1 7/8" Headers + offroad pipes, Magnaflow 3", Pfadt springs, BMR LCAs, toelinks, trailing arms, cradle bushings, & sway bars w/ endlinks, Vitesse paddles, heritage grille, and an eBay splitter. Power upgrades by Race Proven Perf.; Tuning by ShorTuning.

01-30-2015, 09:30 AM	#8
JTruck Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,693	One thing I would NEVER do is work on a warm engine, let alone a hot one. __________________ Detailing is an involuntary obsession.

01-30-2015, 09:46 AM	#9
ClawSS High-tech Redneck Drives: '10 CGM SS, '02 2500HD, '09 300SRT8 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 757	Ya learn something new every day. The heat and steam generated is how the grease and grime is cut without using a brush. Look up the name and look at how many new car forums this method has been used. __________________ "My friends call me Chris. Are you my friend?" 2010 CGM L99 2SS/RS - GPI SS3 VVT, BTR DoD Delete, Circle D 4c, BTR springs, Katech C5R Timing Chain, MRR-228 315/275, CAI, Elite catch-can, TSP 1 7/8" Headers + offroad pipes, Magnaflow 3", Pfadt springs, BMR LCAs, toelinks, trailing arms, cradle bushings, & sway bars w/ endlinks, Vitesse paddles, heritage grille, and an eBay splitter. Power upgrades by Race Proven Perf.; Tuning by ShorTuning.

01-30-2015, 10:00 AM	#10
pickwithaustin Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible and: Join Date: May 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,863	I just keep my engines clean from the original build date and never have to worry about steaming em. An occasional wipe down with some all purpose wipes and a bit of polish of the chrome with a micro cloth. __________________ --------------------------- Currently in my Garage: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible \| 1980 Corvette Stingray \| 1981 Firebird \| 1968 El Camino \| 2007 Crown Vic Police Interceptor \| 2001 Silverado \| 2001 Blazer \| 1965 Chevy C-10 \| 2007 Harley Softail Custom \| 2013 MX-5 in Copper Red Mica \| 2000 Corvette Convertible \| 2010 Corvette Grand Sport \| 2006 Audi A3 Turbo \| 2008 BMW 328i

01-30-2015, 10:06 AM	#11
TwentyTen2SSRS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,972 View My Garage	What about the engine with no engine cover? Any issues here? Not sure about the hot engine working either. And windex and armor all mixture works Huh? My engine isn't horrible bit just did a lot of cleaning up of wires, fuel rail flip etx and want to get it cleaned up again and not sure where to start __________________ Cold Air Inductions CAI • Stainless Power LT's with HFC's • Flowmaster American Thunder Cat Back • APEX Scoop and WW Relocation Kit • VMAX Ported Throttle Body • Custom Dyno Tune • Pfadt 1.25" Lowering Springs • ZL1 Rims on 275 front 315 Rear • custome underlay vinyl wrap • Anvil Spoiler • heritage grill • APR Front Splitter • Custom Emblempros emblems • ZL1 Side Skirts • 416.5 whp 410 torque (CURRENTLY) Up Next: BTR Stage 3 Cam and supporting mods (in garage now)

01-30-2015, 10:21 AM	#12
ClawSS High-tech Redneck Drives: '10 CGM SS, '02 2500HD, '09 300SRT8 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 757	You guys are quite interesting to talk to. The engine bay is a harsh environment and is splashed with cool or cold water based on your weather. Secondly, as long as you do not use high pressure directly on electronic components, the weatherpac connectors will do their job. I do not recommend the high pressure steam cleaning wands or pressure washers...just this hand bottle spray technique on all surfaces and light misting from a normal garden hose with household pressure. It is a tried and true method that you will not be disappointed with the results if you follow the instructions. __________________ "My friends call me Chris. Are you my friend?" 2010 CGM L99 2SS/RS - GPI SS3 VVT, BTR DoD Delete, Circle D 4c, BTR springs, Katech C5R Timing Chain, MRR-228 315/275, CAI, Elite catch-can, TSP 1 7/8" Headers + offroad pipes, Magnaflow 3", Pfadt springs, BMR LCAs, toelinks, trailing arms, cradle bushings, & sway bars w/ endlinks, Vitesse paddles, heritage grille, and an eBay splitter. Power upgrades by Race Proven Perf.; Tuning by ShorTuning.