Long Term Engine Detailing Issues?

SR77 · 06-06-07, 04:58

Has anyone experienced any issues with there engine over a period of time that was caused from many years of engine detailing? Or has anyone been detailing there engine from many, many years without any issues? The reason i ask is because I am currently taking an Automotive Electrical course and the instructor mentioned that he has experienced that people that get their engine detailed will sometimes run into problems down because the chemicals over time can start to corrode the back sides of the electrical connectors. I am wondering for those that have been detailing their engine for a long period of time if they have ever experienced any electrical problems. Is has been mentioned before on here to cover a few items to protect from water damage, but this is the first i heard of somethng that can happen over time. I like a clean engine, but hearing this made me a little nervous because electrical problems are not fun!!! thanks

Milestones · 06-06-07, 05:28

This is the exact reason that I don't detail the engine on my personal daily driver.

Obviously it's different if you are talking about a show car. However, for me it's not worth the risk of short term or long term electrical problems to keep a daily driver's engine compartment detailed.

pb_foots · 06-06-07, 05:50

Depends what you use. I've been cleaning the engines on my DD for years now and haven't had an issue. I am pretty careful and only use water from the hose and simple green. I'm not big on dressings under there, and have never used a pressure washer. I think where you get into trouble is when you start blasting away indiscriminately. It's also a great time to find small leaks, loose stuff, etc.

I used to cover the distributor, etc. before cleaning, but these days I just don't worry about it. I have the dreaded GM optispark and haven't had any issues with it acting up.

Your engine gets hit with all kinds of water during driving, those connectors are pretty good these days. Besides, taking a dirty engine to the shop is like going to the doctor with dirty underwear on. I gotta believe that the mechanic prefers to work on an engine he can see underneath the grime.

Way2SSlow · 06-06-07, 06:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb_foots

I used to cover the distributor, etc. before cleaning, but these days I just don't worry about it. I have the dreaded GM optispark and haven't had any issues with it acting up.

Me too. I will shove a rag down in there sometimes, but I'm just really careful about what I get wet. My engine could look a lot better, but I am paranoid....although, I've never had a problem with detailing my engine.

samhian · 06-06-07, 06:59

I haven't had any problems and instead of using a hose I use a pesticide sprayer. Much easier to control and a lot less water.

Milestones · 06-06-07, 07:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by samhian

I haven't had any problems and instead of using a hose I use a pesticide sprayer. Much easier to control and a lot less water.

That's actually a really good idea.

Might have to give that a try.

TriumphGT6 · 06-06-07, 07:26

My car is 20 years old and has 52k miles and the engine gets detailed regularly, no issues have resulted from that. Former owner(2nd) said that it was cleaned regularly via the same method I use.

I don't think it's ever been powerwashed, but I regularly clean it with old microfiber towels with Meg's QD, and I use their vinyl and rubber protectant sprayed on the towel to dress the hoses and plastic. I wouldn't just blind powerwash everything.

carter840 · 06-06-07, 07:35

Sorry i am new to this forum but i am a bit confused why so many people care about engine detailing. How often is it that someone opens the hood of your car to see whats inside. Unless you hav a show car (which many of you might). Is there any performance increase witha clean engine bay?
thanks

AAP · 06-06-07, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by carter840

Sorry i am new to this forum but i am a bit confused why so many people care about engine detailing. How often is it that someone opens the hood of your car to see whats inside. Unless you hav a show car (which many of you might). Is there any performance increase witha clean engine bay?
thanks

I am new to this detailing game ... but I would think that people detail their engine just to keep it clean ... that is why I do it ..

BigJimZ28 · 06-06-07, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by carter840

Sorry i am new to this forum but i am a bit confused why so many people care about engine detailing. How often is it that someone opens the hood of your car to see whats inside. Unless you hav a show car (which many of you might). Is there any performance increase witha clean engine bay?
thanks

1.) I like to keep it clean
2.) it makes it easy to work on
3.) it makes it easy it find leaks or problems
4.) I feel if someone else has to work on it they will give it more respect
5.) in theory a clean engine should run cooler and that could be a slight performance increase

Setec Astronomy · 06-06-07, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by carter840

Sorry i am new to this forum but i am a bit confused why so many people care about engine detailing.

Perhaps you have not yet noticed the true OCD undercurrent of this site

Back to the topic, one thing has bothered me about using silicone dressings under the hood. Back when GM first started putting feedback systems on their engines, they warned against using silicone sealers on engine gaskets, and had a special silicone (GMS--General Motors Sealant--it was orange) to use for those applications. Regular silicone sealers were supposed to be bad for something (I think it was the oxygen sensor). I don't know if this was an acetic acid-cure vs. moisture cure (the GMS didn't smell like vinegar), but I thought it was a silicone issue.

Anyway, in that context, slobbering silicone-based dressings all over the engine didn't sound like a good idea.

3puttjay · 06-06-07, 10:12

Man, my wife thinks I spend too much time as it it is on the car. If I were to detail the the engine as well, I might end up living in the garage permanently.