Engine bay cleaning.. What shouldnt get wet? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Maro99 · 06-04-2011, 12:47 PM

I want to give my engine bay a really good cleaning and have a few questions. What specifically needs to be covered? Do I need to cover the fuse box and wire harnesses etc. or will all of that be fine with a light spray of water? I have searched and read what others have done but want to be sure to cover anything and everything that could be damaged.

Thanks

ud_lose · 06-04-2011, 12:57 PM

Here's a nice little video to help you out with that.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109089

Maro99 · 06-04-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ud_lose

Here's a nice little video to help you out with that.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109089

I saw that video.. It only says cover filters and battery connections and "any other sensitive areas". So what are the other sensitive areas that need to be covered?

mulletman · 06-04-2011, 02:24 PM

I have used the spot free rinse low pressure for years and have never covered anything. Drive your car long enough to dry the water. Don't spray the engine compartment and pull directly into the garage.

CamaroDreams07 · 06-04-2011, 02:47 PM

I'm hesitant about doing this as well. If I were doing it, I would cover my intake (obviously), cover the fuse box, and battery terminal for sure. I think that should be good.

Stex · 06-04-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulletman

I have used the spot free rinse low pressure for years and have never covered anything. Drive your car long enough to dry the water. Don't spray the engine compartment and pull directly into the garage.

Just no high pressure...if at pay and spray use the tire cleaner to soak (after cooling engine for awhile) and then soft water rinse...wipe where you can and run engine..at home follow Adams vid on this...

mulletman · 06-04-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stex

Just no high pressure...if at pay and spray use the tire cleaner to soak (after cooling engine for awhile) and then soft water rinse...wipe where you can and run engine..at home follow Adams vid on this...

I'm not a fan of using the tire cleaner. The chemicals can pit the bare metal unless removed completely. The engine compartment gets dusty and water works great.

detroitjohnny · 06-05-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulletman

I have used the spot free rinse low pressure for years and have never covered anything. Drive your car long enough to dry the water. Don't spray the engine compartment and pull directly into the garage.

I've been cleaning engine compartments like this for over 25 years. Older cars, obviously you dont spray the carb or distributor, but new cars are damn near weatherproof.

Stex · 06-05-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulletman

I'm not a fan of using the tire cleaner. The chemicals can pit the bare metal unless removed completely. The engine compartment gets dusty and water works great.

A good car wash will have a tire cleaner that is safe for bare metals and of course you rinse well with low pressure soft water. I find that the low pressure soft water rinse alone will not knock off the dust and dirt off...

One can also use Adams APC 50/50 diluted for safe use on bare metals...

Cbrenthus · 06-05-2011, 09:52 AM

I've cleaned many compartments by spraying with water, the only thing I ever had break was the fan motor on my jeep, and I found out later they were horribly non waterproof!

cruznls · 06-05-2011, 10:38 AM

We would never flood the engine bay with that much water shown in the video.
The Cover comes off and is cleaned separately ..
The alternator gets covered {How much for a new Alternator ?} ...
along with any electrical..
Then Hand Wash... A lite rinse...
Then we carefully use a Leaf Blower to dry the the engine bay..
Would never start a soaking wet engine....

SUX2BU · 06-05-2011, 10:55 AM

You guys do realize your entire engine gets soaked when you drive in the rain. Like a few guys said, just don't do a high pressure right up on the engine.

Maro99 · 06-05-2011, 02:05 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Now I just need to go do it

.

OBSSEST · 06-05-2011, 02:19 PM

Despite all the warnings, I still use the pressure washer.

I put a garbage bag over the CAI filter and that's it. I just make sure to keep the spray about 2 feet away from the motor and electrical connectors. The engine bay edges, hinges, and underside of the hood get a closer spray.

After I'm done, I'll generally run the engine for 30 minutes while I'm cleaning something else on the car and it thoroughly dries itself.

06-04-2011, 12:47 PM	#1
Maro99 Drives: Heel toe express.. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Charleston, S.C Posts: 1,500	Engine bay cleaning.. What shouldnt get wet? I want to give my engine bay a really good cleaning and have a few questions. What specifically needs to be covered? Do I need to cover the fuse box and wire harnesses etc. or will all of that be fine with a light spray of water? I have searched and read what others have done but want to be sure to cover anything and everything that could be damaged. Thanks __________________ Camaro SOLD :(

06-04-2011, 12:57 PM	#2
ud_lose #34873 Drives: '04 Ford F250 6.0L/'69 vette LS6 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Co. Posts: 741 View My Garage	Here's a nice little video to help you out with that. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109089 __________________

06-04-2011, 02:47 PM	#5
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	I'm hesitant about doing this as well. If I were doing it, I would cover my intake (obviously), cover the fuse box, and battery terminal for sure. I think that should be good. __________________ [B]

06-05-2011, 10:55 AM	#12
SUX2BU Quit being a pu$$y Drives: FAST Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sachse TX (DFW) Posts: 5,825 View My Garage	You guys do realize your entire engine gets soaked when you drive in the rain. Like a few guys said, just don't do a high pressure right up on the engine. __________________ <----- Click HERE to see ALL of my mods/write ups

06-05-2011, 02:05 PM	#13
Maro99 Drives: Heel toe express.. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Charleston, S.C Posts: 1,500	Thanks for all the replies. Now I just need to go do it . __________________ Camaro SOLD :(

06-04-2011, 02:24 PM	#4
mulletman Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: southern Illinois trailer park Posts: 636	I have used the spot free rinse low pressure for years and have never covered anything. Drive your car long enough to dry the water. Don't spray the engine compartment and pull directly into the garage.

06-05-2011, 09:52 AM	#10
Cbrenthus Drives: 2011 VR 1SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: FL Posts: 516	I've cleaned many compartments by spraying with water, the only thing I ever had break was the fan motor on my jeep, and I found out later they were horribly non waterproof!

06-05-2011, 10:38 AM	#11
cruznls cruznls Drives: 2010 CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ILLINOIS Posts: 260 View My Garage	We would never flood the engine bay with that much water shown in the video. The Cover comes off and is cleaned separately .. The alternator gets covered {How much for a new Alternator ?} ... along with any electrical.. Then Hand Wash... A lite rinse... Then we carefully use a Leaf Blower to dry the the engine bay.. Would never start a soaking wet engine....

06-05-2011, 02:19 PM	#14
OBSSEST Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS, Black Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sacramento Posts: 413	Despite all the warnings, I still use the pressure washer. I put a garbage bag over the CAI filter and that's it. I just make sure to keep the spray about 2 feet away from the motor and electrical connectors. The engine bay edges, hinges, and underside of the hood get a closer spray. After I'm done, I'll generally run the engine for 30 minutes while I'm cleaning something else on the car and it thoroughly dries itself.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wildlife in engine bay	jagan323	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	56	02-07-2011 05:34 PM
Over 230 Satisfied 2010 Camaro Customers! Paddock Chevrolet has 40 in stock NOW	camarojoe	Dealer Camaros for Sale	2	05-24-2010 05:58 PM
The BEST Break for a new car. "very long"	Darin Morgan	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	346	02-04-2010 06:49 PM
Pfadt Race Engineering releases new Camaro V8 Engine Mounts	PfadtRacing	Suspension / Brakes / Chassis	6	01-15-2010 12:58 PM
Axial Vector Engine	Mr. Wyndham	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	6	06-20-2007 04:00 PM