Best way to clean engine bay?

[ricosuave420]

Now that I've got my Bonnie in car show quality, just got it painted, new headliner and seats reupholstered I want to start taking her to car shows but the engine bay isn't lookin so hot, it's not disgusting but not what I would like it to look like.
Now I've got a powerwasher but what other sprays should I use and what parts of the engine should I be covering up so it doesn't get wet

[00Beast]

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 40672.html

I wouldn't use a pressure washer. A good garden hose and nozzle will do everything you need to.

[harofreak00]

I pressure wash all my Bonnevilles. Just avoid spraying directly into the alternator and you'll be fine.

[95se]

yes I pressure wash mine as well and have no problems! just don't aim directly at the alternator and I also take compressed air when im done and spray away the water as best I can!

[crash93ssei]

I have pressure washed the engine on every vehicle I have owned multiple times without issue. I also pressure wash the engine on vehicles I detail. A good degreaser like purple power and a stiff scrub brush will help get the stuck on nastiness as well.

[1oldman]

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/2000-2005-other-than-gxp/topic40672.html

I wouldn't use a pressure washer. A good garden hose and nozzle will do everything you need to.

I'm with you Ed. I've used only a garden hose, covered the electronics and still ruined a brand new set of AC Delco plug wires. Bill

[harofreak00]

How do you ruin plug wires with a garden hose?

[ricosuave420]

Ok so I should use purple power as the degreaser or does someone reccomend something better? And from what you guys are saying I'm a bit wary, ill start with the degreaser and a scrub brush with a garden hose and if that doesn't do the job ill use the pressure washer.
I know I already said this but should I use purple power or is there something better, thanks

[2003 SSEi]

Purple Power let it soak in, (becareful not to get it on your freshly painted fenders) then hammer it with the Pressure washer.....

everyone drives the car in the rain? so why do people think its so bad to spray water on the engine....I never understood that one??

[00Beast]

I agree that the engine getting wet is not a big deal. My point is that the chemicals should be doing the work, unless you have a super greasy/nasty engine, then a pressure washer might be needed.

[731Loadmaster]

I agree that a powerwasher is a good way to clean the engine bay...but you don't have to use it on full power unless its that stubborn caked on oil or grease.
Keep the Purple Power or Simple Green around to spray on those spots and let sit a minimum of 5 min. Repeat as necessary....run the car to ensure it can.

I use Tire Shine spray (not Foam) to give plastics and hoses that new car shine...wipe off excess after 3 min. Also repeat as necessary.

Lastly.....enjoy the beautiful engine!!!!

[1oldman]

How do you ruin plug wires with a garden hose?

The mechanic at the Chevrolet dealer had to replace the plug wires I installed the day before I cleaned the engine bay with a pistol grip nozzle and a garden hose with gummout engine cleaner. He had to replace 3 of the 4 plug wires because of water. - BC

[crash93ssei]

That must have been a manufacturing flaw in those wires or the mechanic was BSing you. No way would a garden hose produce enough pressure to damage a plug wire. Even with a pressure washer I give a full blast to the coils, ICM, and wires. I have never had a problem doing this unless the wires were bad and it would misfire until it dried out (my old Blazer did this, never cared enough to change the wires)

[DaMaroon]

I agree if water seem to cause plug wire problems they were already defective/not on properly.

I've always used Gunk and the car wash. Just keep the sprayer like at least 6" away. I always drive the car like 20 minutes to make sure it dries out.

It's easy enough to clean at home but it'll leave a mess under the car that will have to be cleaned up or might kill the vegetation if done in the yard. Makes the car wash money seem worthwhile.

[mhfromphila]

Use the gunk, not the purple power. Even with just a hose I had some paint come off under the hood .After you get it clean. Spray with CD2 engine detailer. For the alu. use never-dull.

[crash93ssei]

I have used purple power on dozens of engine bays without issue. Power wash the heavy crud off, dilute the purple power at least 1:1 and spray, scrub, power wash off.

[mhfromphila]

His car is the same year and color as mine,that paint is 20 years old . Now that I think about it use simple green.

[crash93ssei]

I did my old '93 SSEi with Purple Power as well as Jerry's old '95 SSEi without issue. If you had paint come off then there was either a previous issue that weakened the paint or it was allowed to dwell at full strength for way too long.

[ricosuave420]

Well I tried out gunk and since it was raining and getting dark I just did a rush job to prep it for when I can really get in there and I've gotta say, even with a rush job it looks great, now what's this about CD2 engine detailer, any comments or opinions on that?

[mhfromphila]

Do a search on CD2.It will make your engine bay like new.