Rokas

Hey guys, I need some advice. I want to clean my engine bay but I'm worried about any potential electronics. The plan was to use something like diluted purple power to break down the oil and hose everything down. Now, do I have to worry at all about damaging some sensor or something if I'm hosing down the engine? Obviously don't get it in the intake (lol) but I need to know before I do this. Better safe than sorry. My baby needs a clean badly anyway. Thanks guys. Also, probably a good idea to do this when I can just let it sit and dry for a good 8 hours, huh?

Edit: The only thing I can think of is being careful around the fuse box. Is that right?

213374U

WD40, a soft bristle brush (toothbrushes work great), a bunch of shop rags, and time/patience/persistence is the best method. Never a good idea to blast water into the engine bay, especially on cars as old as ours where age has deteriorated seals on electrical connectors and other important bits.

Amskeptic

I use a spray of water to blast leaves and whatnot from the cabin air intake screen, a quick blast of hose spray for the engine ve (but not enough to leave a lake near the starter!), and underneath between the cross member and engine.

Your first engine clean needs to be a methodical wipe down with gasoline on a dedicated small terrycloth towel for gross oil build-up, carb spray on a dedicated small terrycloth towel for the aluminum parts, WD-40 is excellent for painted parts, vinyl cleaner on a dedicated terrycloth towel for the plastic parts and hoses. Once it is lovely, all you have to do is light dusting on oil change day ...
Colin

213374U

Beautiful work!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I spray the degreaser on a rag or paper towel and wipe. For areas that can take water, a handheld spray bottle with hot water to rinse down.

Amskeptic engine bay

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

fuse box should be generally water tight but the seals can deteriorate at this age.
I personally cover the alternator with a plastic bag (make sure it's not hot!). I've had one go bad after an engine wash, albeit on my old Honda accord.

I like using purple power on the heavily greasy areas only and the rest with simple green diluted water.
never tried wd40 but am curious to see the results.