Advice on engine detail - Page 2

Nicky Pass · 03-08-08, 06:10

Don't do it with the car running!

My finger went through the super charger pulley and idler on my Cobra...

scjshaylen · 03-08-08, 09:15

OUCH!!!! At least you still have your finger....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicky Pass

Don't do it with the car running!

My finger went through the super charger pulley and idler on my Cobra...

jesselyons2002 · 03-08-08, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiYenS

Thank you, Jessely & Salty! Your examples look great! I wish I could clean engine as well as you guys do!

Jessly, I see you only covered two parts.. are these the only 2 parts to cover for other cars as well? Thank you.

Well newer cars aren't going to have a distributor, but all cars are going to have Alternator(generators) and I make sure I cover those. You mainly cover anything electrical. But for me, I take out the battery and clean that with baking soda mix with water. So the baking soda neutrilize any battery acid.

ReLoaDeD BuLLiT · 03-08-08, 10:37

Here's a couple before/afters with my method:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BlueLibby04 · 03-08-08, 12:09

Its usually ok to hose down an engine as long as they dont have a distributer cap. Many cars have distributers after 1985 so be careful about that. We have a 99 Jeep that has one.

If you do have one cover it up really good and dont spray it directly.

imageautodetail · 03-08-08, 12:25

I use this method on almost everyengine, let the engine warm, spray generously with degreaser, rinse with hot water from PW, air dry with AC blow gun (typhoon from snapon) I then do the interior, then do a quick wipe down and dress with quickshot, after polishing I come back and give it a once over with a QD, they always turn out well and have rarely had a problem, I think 2 volvos with wet spark plugs out who knows how many

Volvos dont like water

afici0nad0 · 06-03-08, 10:01

curious about those who used a garden hose to quickly rinse down your engine; did you:

(a) remove the battery?
(b) rinse the battery?
(c) cover the terminals, then rinse the battery?

if it makes a difference, i have an 05 acura tsx, and want to attempt my first engine detail on it soon.

i don't have an aftermarket air intake, so, i think i'm ok on that piece (as far as water is concerned). but, how about the alternator? any other components i should be careful with?

2k2blackWRX · 06-04-08, 03:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by afici0nad0

curious about those who used a garden hose to quickly rinse down your engine; did you:

(a) remove the battery?
(b) rinse the battery?
(c) cover the terminals, then rinse the battery?

if it makes a difference, i have an 05 acura tsx, and want to attempt my first engine detail on it soon.

i don't have an aftermarket air intake, so, i think i'm ok on that piece (as far as water is concerned). but, how about the alternator? any other components i should be careful with?

I just detailed a TSX yesterday at the shop and you have nothing to worry about. You don't need to cover up anything. I have done the "15 minute" engine clean on hundreds and hundreds of cars using a pressure washer and an APC and have yet to have any problems from any cars. This ranges from brand new cars (the newer german cars you cant even SEE the engine, it's ALL plastic) to cars with 100k+ miles. I won't guarantee that if you don't cover anything you will be fine but I have not had any issues whatsoever and I have done hundreds.

not7fifteen · 06-04-08, 06:38

If you do any LT1 powered vehicles be SURE to cover the opti-spark system or it will fail if it gets water on/in it.. They are the most suseptable to water of anything I've known!

afici0nad0 · 06-04-08, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2k2blackWRX

I just detailed a TSX yesterday at the shop and you have nothing to worry about. You don't need to cover up anything.

cool.

your statement also includes you spraying down the battery with the garden hose too? i think i may skip rinsing the battery altogether, and just towel clean it. but, just wanted some clarification on your statement.

2k2blackWRX · 06-04-08, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by afici0nad0

cool.

your statement also includes you spraying down the battery with the garden hose too? i think i may skip rinsing the battery altogether, and just towel clean it. but, just wanted some clarification on your statement.

Again we have never had an problems with batteries, many batteries we are actually cleaning off corrosion that has built up all around the battery. We just ordered a new digital camera today so I can post some pics next week.

afici0nad0 · 06-04-08, 12:47

^

thanks