Engine Degreasing...

[rich95]

I just got my new 95 Corvette home the other day and the engine is a bit on the grimmy side. With all the electronics on these engines, is there a preferred way to clean/degrease?

I was planning on spraying the engine down with Simple Green, and using a paint brush to remove heavy stuff. I have a gentle spray setting on my hose to rinse. Is this acceptable or should I get someone to prefessonally steam clean the engine?

Thanks
rich95

 

[Rabbit]

Amen to that:BOW

 

[compyelc4]

I have taken my cars to the DIY carwashes for years. A thorough blast of the engine with the soap spray, finish off the body, then rinse engine and body. Has worked just great until my '95 C4.

I sprayed the engine just twice in the first 6 mo. of ownership and BAM- $900 later I had my car running again. Opti-spark plus corroded wiring harness between opti and ECM.

DO NOT GET THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE WET. Matter of fact I would strongly recommend keeping water off the engine....PERIOD! I have always been a daring soul, but no more.

If I need to clean the engine again I would use spray such as 409 and cloths. It will take time but it will look just great. Once it is clean a light wiping off about every 2 weeks will keep it looking great.

 

[garycr14]

Engine Degreasing

Hi,
DO NOT STEAM CLEAN OR HOSE DOWN YOUR ENGINE! When I purchased my car, the dealer steam cleaned the engine to prep it for me, as I was driving it home the engine died. Fortunetly the dealer was cool and paid 1k to have the Opti spark replaced. A poor design to have the water sensitive distributor located under the water pump, but i guess that's another discussion.

 

[TONY TAT2]

Ijust done a water pump & heater hose by pass on the 85.I laid about 6 layers of news papers under the motor & scraped of most of the built up crap with a scrapper.Then used "fantastic" to clean everything,let it soak 4 awhile then used paper towels to clean it.Use latex gloves,Ialways do,it will keep your hands nice & clean,cant beat the gloves,havent had grease under my nails for years!!!Another trick i use is putting a "kiddie pool "under the car,them cheap plastic ones,good for changing trans fluid,anti freeze changes etc,keeps the crap off my stone driveway.GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[RS84Syr]

Kiddie Pool?

Now that's a good idea!
How do fit one of those under
your car though? Maybe the
blowup kind?

I use those low profile plastic
containers for storing stuff under the bed.
Not bad, but not very big.

I have been thinking of using that
Orange cleaner like you see advertised
on TV by that obnoxious guy.

I have always been afraid to spray water.
Too many wiring harnesses.

RS

 

[jet4rs]

Rick,
Jet4rs is an 84 with 160K on the odometer and I guess before the restoration project and when I drove it daily I cleaned the engine compartment about 3 times a year with spray can engine degreaser and knock on wood I didn't have any problems. After the body restoration I have been using "Greased Lightining High Performance Degreaser" and chase it with a crimped hose only targeting the lower engine and the back side in the transmission cavity. Works great. I use this process on all of my cars

See Ya
Bob w/jet4rs

 

[rich95]

Wow! Now I see why this is such a great site! Well, got a boatload of input. The majority vote seems to be "NO WATER" on the 95 motor! OK, looks like it's rubber gloves and 409 Thanks for all the great imput.
rich95

 

[FX3FX3]

steam

I steam cleaned my engine few times and I never had a problem; Just like the others LT1 owners said, DO NOT attempt to clean the Optic Spark.

regards from Mt. Fuji, Japan

 

[96Holly]

Sorry rich95....

I have to ask FX3FX3 if he has raced that ultimate ricer in Japan... the "skyline" from Nissan. Not sure if your Vette is in Japan or not but had to ask.

Is the car "all that with bag of chips"?

That car is coming to the US next year.