Engine Detailing

[oc192]

I am having someone come out to detail my engine (it needs it BAD :biggrin which involves a high pressure system. Is this a good idea? It seems these cars can be finicky with the connections. Here is the general procedure as outlined by the detailer's website (even comes with a disclaimer):



* Top of engine is chemically treated and pressure washed with soft water to clean and remove all possible dirt and grime.
* Engine is dried for a spot-free finish.
* An engine dressing is applied to all plastic restoring shine and protecting from heat.

Please Note: Any time chemicals and high pressure water are used to clean your engine there is a small possibility that moisture may cause an engine part to

fail. This is beyond our control and we will not be responsible for repairs. This is the safest method to clean your engine.

*Engines that are extremely dirty and oily may require additional cleaning at a slightly higher cost.

 

[gidyuppp]

I do alot of detailing of cars and you have to be very carefule with engines. I have an 88 IROC as well as a 86 GN and I just got done doing the IROC engine and will only use high pressure water on block areas that you do not see any hoses. Quite honestly I was able to use an engine degreaser spray and regular hose water (low pressure to wash away). In delicate areas I used a rag and mineral spirits and removed some basic parts for the cleaning. I am a basic mechanic and these Turbos are unique. When my 86gn is ready for its engine detailing I personally will not use high pressure water. Just my 2 cents. Good luck

 

[HighMileage]

I wonder just how high the pressure will be.

For engine cleaning,I use Gunk Foamy Engine Brite. ...not the smelly stuff in the white can that leaves residue.

I just go to the local car wash,where the pressure is not extreme, and clean it there,being careful not to spray the alternator or hot exhaust.

The Foamy can be tough to find. NAPA has it.

I even use it on my custom,antique Harley.

My GN needs the Foamy treatment in it's engine bay. Soon.

Steve. '87 GN,t-tops. Mostly stock,Powerlogger. ...and a grungy engine bay.

 

[coach]

I've never used high pressure water, but a steam pressure machine works great. Just soap it up with degreaser and let it sit for 15 or so. Then use the steam. Doesnt blast off loose paint or hurt wiring.

:biggrin:

 

[Guess]

I just use a degreaser, hose off without pressure and spray the bay with a foam tire dressing. You just have to wipe down any chrome and mop up any puddles when you're done.

 

[The_Six]

I use the foam stuff on my engine as well and rinse it off with a water hose with a pressure nozzle. Then I use the compressor to blow dry it . I then wipe all plastic and rubber down with the armor all protection wipes glass. And the glass cleaner wipes are great for the chrome. If it’s been a while I some times use never dull and on the chrome and polished aluminum parts.

 

[1quick6]

For mine, I just use simple green, hose water and detailing brushes to get into hard to reach areas. I wipe it all down with shop towels and then clean up all chrome pieces. I don't use any dressing on plastic or rubber since I just don't like that look. Personally, I wouldn't let anyone high pressure wash my engine. I think there was a case on People's Court about that.

 

[aminga]

Meguiars Safe Engine De greaser and Hyperdressing

 

[oc192]

Well I had the high pressure cleaning done yesterday and discovered my throttle body and valve covers are actually gray and not black..who knew:biggrin:. I did have a scare though, a few hours later I tried starting the car and it was DEAD, nothing, zilch . Turns out this car has some safety features built in. I attached a fuel gauge in an my newbish attempt to diagnose a KNOCK issue I'm having and didn't realize gas was dripping out of the fuel rail where I connected my adapter . I replaced the schrader valve and capped it off and it started right up. Need to tackle that some other day.

 

[Scott87]

I use my shop vac with some tygon tubing to remove any road dust or sand or any junk that maybe accumulated in crevises. It is important to cleanout the shop vac before you begin that way you can inspect and account for anything you may remove inadvertantly.

I use 2 pump bottles the kind you use for pesticide or application of fertilizer in gardens. One of the bottles containing your favorite cleaner simple green, purple power or pretty much any citric acid based cleaner. The other one with just water. If you dont want any water spots use denatured acolhol inplace of the water for rinsing. Be Fair warned to make sure the block is warm if not cold..

Brushes and sponges for elbow greasing something. Then if you need a quick dry turn the shop vac into a blower..

Far as restoring a certain look to things, hoses polish up nicely with a little black shoe polish.. The look is good and doesnt have that greaseball look to it. I do the same thing with tires, a little kiwi shoe polish does the trick.

 

[Underboost]

I dump simple green into a sprayer then use the hose to rinse it off. The Simple Green under high psi takes every bit of greace & dirt off its amazing.

 

[berserker6]

simple green, rinse lightly, dry and armor all. thats it

 

[GNRick]

Anybody try oven cleaner? I used it once on the frame of my jeep. Took the grease/dirt/paint right off

 

[626gn]

Though it may make the job easier and faster for the detailer, the risks associated with the use of high pressure does not justify it's use. Just not worth it imo.

Degreaser of your choice followed by CD2 Engine Detailer is all most engines need. If it's really that dirty, a couple passes with the degreaser followed by a hose down with a garden hose prior to applying CD2 may be in order. As a precaution I like to shield the coil, alternator, cam sensor plug and relays with foil to help deflect the bulk of the water when rinsing.

 

[Underboost]

Though it may make the job easier and faster for the detailer, the risks associated with the use of high pressure does not justify it's use. Just not worth it imo.

If you're referring to my post above regarding high pressure..I don't condone a gas pressure washer at 160psi, but the pressure coming out of a pump type bottle will not hurt a thing.

 

[626gn]

If you're referring to my post above regarding high pressure..I don't condone a gas pressure washer at 160psi, but the pressure coming out of a pump type bottle will not hurt a thing.

Nope, was not referring to your post :biggrin:

 

[gculver]

If you're referring to my post above regarding high pressure..I don't condone a gas pressure washer at 160psi, but the pressure coming out of a pump type bottle will not hurt a thing.

You mean at least 1600psi.. if not, throw that POS in the trash!:biggrin:

GC

 

[Underboost]

You mean at least 1600psi.. if not, throw that POS in the trash!:biggrin:

GC

hahaha

 

[ffej]

you guys are great if i need an answer to something i can just look thru the posts here and usually find it. i just got my 86 gn back on the road last week after sitting about 14 years and was wandering how to clean up the engine compartment

 

[HighMileage]

you guys are great if i need an answer to something i can just look thru the posts here and usually find it. i just got my 86 gn back on the road last week after sitting about 14 years and was wandering how to clean up the engine compartment

One thing that is very important to check is the seating of the PCV valve and it's grommet.

If that grommet and PCV is not perfectly seated,it will act as an open manhole cover for all of the grease,dirt and water to drain into the engine via the intake valley while it is being doused with water.

A few weeks ago,I noticed my PCV valve wasn't even in the grommet. It was next to it,thanks to the previous owner.

Good thing I didn't hose it down then!

Steve. '87 GN. Mostly stock. Owned by me since July.