Cleaning the enginebay
I can tell you what I do (and many others) on our LS. I do this several times a year:
1. Remove all the engine covers
2. Spray a 50/50 mix of all purpose cleaner all over the engine and let it soak for 2-3 mins. (I use Purple Power or Simple Green). I make NO effort to avoid electrical connectors or anything else.....engines are designed to get wet and all connectors are gasketed.
3. After the 3-5 min soak, I use a garden hose and trigger sprayer to hose everything off.
4. Spray a protectant spray such as 303 Aerospace or other quality product and just let it sit (no wiping or anything). After a few hours, the engine will literally look brand new.
Keep in mind that all the above is done on a COOL engine.
I do this on all my cars several time each year. You can LITERALLY eat off my car's engines. When it comes time to do any service, it's nice to do so on a clean engine. Being able to spot leaks, etc is an added benefit of a clean engine.
1. Remove all the engine covers
2. Spray a 50/50 mix of all purpose cleaner all over the engine and let it soak for 2-3 mins. (I use Purple Power or Simple Green). I make NO effort to avoid electrical connectors or anything else.....engines are designed to get wet and all connectors are gasketed.
3. After the 3-5 min soak, I use a garden hose and trigger sprayer to hose everything off.
4. Spray a protectant spray such as 303 Aerospace or other quality product and just let it sit (no wiping or anything). After a few hours, the engine will literally look brand new.
Keep in mind that all the above is done on a COOL engine.
I do this on all my cars several time each year. You can LITERALLY eat off my car's engines. When it comes time to do any service, it's nice to do so on a clean engine. Being able to spot leaks, etc is an added benefit of a clean engine.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 667
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
Depends on how dirty your engine is....... Most engines that I have cleaned need to have the SG agitated with a brush to loosen up the crud.
Do not let the SG dry, keep the agitating brush wet with some SG from a cup or can for brush dipping.........Keep the SG moist with a light misting before the final rinse.
Last edited by Chuckinnj; May 1, 2016 at 06:28 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
The trick is not to allow the AP cleaner to dry. There are times when I will re-apply the cleaner a couple of times in the 5-10 minutes that I allow it to sit. The application of a protectant afterwards is where it all comes together. The engine GLEAMS!
Last edited by roadfrog; May 1, 2016 at 07:29 PM.
I've NEVER had to agitate at all....even on the dirtiest engine.
The trick is not to allow the AP cleaner to dry. There are times when I will re-apply the cleaner a couple of times in the 5-10 minutes that I allow it to sit. The application of a protectant afterwards is where it all comes together. The engine GLEAMS!
The trick is not to allow the AP cleaner to dry. There are times when I will re-apply the cleaner a couple of times in the 5-10 minutes that I allow it to sit. The application of a protectant afterwards is where it all comes together. The engine GLEAMS!
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
Washed my engine today, it went well. I used a general purpose cleaner, let it sit for four minutes, then lightly rinsed everything off. I also used a high air pressure nozzle to get the dirt and pebbles out of hard to reach areas - like someone suggested - and used it again to kind of get some of the water out of areas where it pooled a bit. Drove it 40 miles home, removed the covers and everything is clean and dry.
Wish I had done this a lot sooner, but I was always paranoid of causing an electrical problem. It looks great...I'll probably do this every six months.
Wish I had done this a lot sooner, but I was always paranoid of causing an electrical problem. It looks great...I'll probably do this every six months.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 302
Likes: 28
From: Idaho
Washed my engine today, it went well. I used a general purpose cleaner, let it sit for four minutes, then lightly rinsed everything off. I also used a high air pressure nozzle to get the dirt and pebbles out of hard to reach areas - like someone suggested - and used it again to kind of get some of the water out of areas where it pooled a bit. Drove it 40 miles home, removed the covers and everything is clean and dry.
Wish I had done this a lot sooner, but I was always paranoid of causing an electrical problem. It looks great...I'll probably do this every six months.
Wish I had done this a lot sooner, but I was always paranoid of causing an electrical problem. It looks great...I'll probably do this every six months.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
Washed my engine today, it went well. I used a general purpose cleaner, let it sit for four minutes, then lightly rinsed everything off. I also used a high air pressure nozzle to get the dirt and pebbles out of hard to reach areas - like someone suggested - and used it again to kind of get some of the water out of areas where it pooled a bit. Drove it 40 miles home, removed the covers and everything is clean and dry.
Wish I had done this a lot sooner, but I was always paranoid of causing an electrical problem. It looks great...I'll probably do this every six months.
Wish I had done this a lot sooner, but I was always paranoid of causing an electrical problem. It looks great...I'll probably do this every six months.
Did you spray any protectant afterwards? It not only makes everything look like factory after, but a quality product like 303 will also keep everything pliable and healthy (looms, wires, rubber hoses, plastics etc).
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
I can't believe I found another maintenance aspect that I'm probably going to be **** about...I'm already tuned into every other aspect of the car...fluids, paint, tires, suspension, brakes. I guess I just added another. I'm pretty OCD.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 667
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
Honestly I didn't, I figured the whole engine gets covered up anyway with those plastic covers, but I watched some videos on it and it does make everything look really cool. I didn't realize that there was a legitimate mechanical benefit to doing it, I might buy some 303 and give it a try. It really keeps things pliable?
I can't believe I found another maintenance aspect that I'm probably going to be **** about...I'm already tuned into every other aspect of the car...fluids, paint, tires, suspension, brakes. I guess I just added another. I'm pretty OCD.
I can't believe I found another maintenance aspect that I'm probably going to be **** about...I'm already tuned into every other aspect of the car...fluids, paint, tires, suspension, brakes. I guess I just added another. I'm pretty OCD.
The 303 "nourishes" the rubber parts and keeps them from drying out and protects plastic parts..... 303 is a excellent protectant that does NOT attract dust like some other "popular" protectants and I have used it for many years with excellent results and I a little goes a long way.
Spray it on the rubber parts and plastic covers then wipe it down....... That's it!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
Honestly I didn't, I figured the whole engine gets covered up anyway with those plastic covers, but I watched some videos on it and it does make everything look really cool. I didn't realize that there was a legitimate mechanical benefit to doing it, I might buy some 303 and give it a try. It really keeps things pliable?
I can't believe I found another maintenance aspect that I'm probably going to be **** about...I'm already tuned into every other aspect of the car...fluids, paint, tires, suspension, brakes. I guess I just added another. I'm pretty OCD.
I can't believe I found another maintenance aspect that I'm probably going to be **** about...I'm already tuned into every other aspect of the car...fluids, paint, tires, suspension, brakes. I guess I just added another. I'm pretty OCD.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
Yes, it really does. I use it on all my door mouldings etc as well. It is also gives 100% UV protection. If you haven't used it before or seen it in action, you'll likely ever use anything else ever again after you do. It ain't cheap though! Our Walmarts up here don't carry it, but I believe yours do.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 89
From: FL
303 is an elixir... just don't drink it!
I first learned of it 13 years ago at the Acura forum, and like Chris said, haven't turned back since. I, too, treat all seals and weatherstripping with it (beyond the vinyl), and when I do the dashboard and console and get some on the wood, it buffs out quite nicely.
This is all helpful information. I haven't taken water to my engine in ages and have instead just wiped the visible areas, especially the black covers, and then treated with 303. We may have to break this trend...
I first learned of it 13 years ago at the Acura forum, and like Chris said, haven't turned back since. I, too, treat all seals and weatherstripping with it (beyond the vinyl), and when I do the dashboard and console and get some on the wood, it buffs out quite nicely.
This is all helpful information. I haven't taken water to my engine in ages and have instead just wiped the visible areas, especially the black covers, and then treated with 303. We may have to break this trend...
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