Question: How to clean the engine of 96?

[Steve96]

HI all,

I am a first time owner, purchased my 96 coupe about 8 months ago. I would like to clean the engine but I am concern about the Optispark getting wet. How is the best way to keep the engine looking good with out damaging the Optispark or other components?

Thanks for any help
Steve

 

[B17Crew]

Here’s a link to a thread that talks about a few products to help clean under the hood. (My Photobucket account needs attention because my engine compartment images are no longer showing up.)

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/care-detailing/95366-how-i-detailed-my-engine-bay.html

To play it safe, it’s best to keep the Opti dry and not hit it directly with water. Personally I think the Opti demon card is overplayed, I’ve had no problems with them... but, better to cover it and any major electrical connections. I use Saran Wrap and rubber bands to secure the wrap during any water applications.

I’ve had good results using a 50/50 mixture of Simple Green and water. Mix the water and Simple Green in a spray bottle and apply for initial cleaning of the engine compartment. Then move on to the detailing phase. Avoid getting the Opti wet to be safe.


B17Crew

 

[XLR8]

When I saw the title of this thread... I thought - he needs to talk to B17Crew. :L Glad to see you're way ahead of me, Crew.

Welcome to the CAC, Steve! Lots of good info and helpful members here that will help you get the most enjoyment from your C4.

Jane Ann

 

[B17Crew]

When I saw the title of this thread... I thought - he needs to talk to B17Crew. :L Glad to see you're way ahead of me, Crew.

Welcome to the CAC, Steve! Lots of good info and helpful members here that will help you get the most enjoyment from your C4.

Jane Ann

Hi, Jane Ann!

Thank you! I just wish my Photobucket account wasn’t giving me grief. I seem to have lost the photos of my engine compartment.

B17Crew

 

[XLR8]

Hi, Jane Ann!

Thank you! I just wish my Photobucket account wasn’t giving me grief. I seem to have lost the photos of my engine compartment.

B17Crew

:ugh That's terrible!

(I posted to your engine bay thread so as not to sidetrack this one.)

 

[ProfessorBlaze]

I have always had good luck pulling into the DIY pressure washers. leave the car running. spray a little degreaser in the engine bay. let it sit for a while(not for too long if the engine is real hot). spray the car with soap while letting degreaser sit.

once you get done spraying soap and scrubbing the car then raise the hood to spray out during rinse cycle first. shouldn't take more than a few minutes to scrub car. if the car is real dirty than after spraying soap on the car then raise the hood to spray the degreaser out and rinse it.

once the car is done being scrubbed than if the engine bay is real dirty you could hit it again(or just do engine bay last so you can shut the car off while you are cleaning it so it can cool off a little)

 

[CLABORN1960]

I have always had good luck pulling into the DIY pressure washers. leave the car running. spray a little degreaser in the engine bay. let it sit for a while(not for too long if the engine is real hot). spray the car with soap while letting degreaser sit.

once you get done spraying soap and scrubbing the car then raise the hood to spray out during rinse cycle first. shouldn't take more than a few minutes to scrub car. if the car is real dirty than after spraying soap on the car then raise the hood to spray the degreaser out and rinse it.

once the car is done being scrubbed than if the engine bay is real dirty you could hit it again(or just do engine bay last so you can shut the car off while you are cleaning it so it can cool off a little)

ummm that has disaster written all over it for a C4..... spraying water in the engine bay without wrapping the electrical stuff..... check this link.... http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/c4-general-discussion/119667-washed-my-engine-saturday-dam-*-%24-%24%24%24.html

 

[XLR8]

ummm that has disaster written all over it for a C4..... spraying water in the engine bay without wrapping the electrical stuff..... check this link.... http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...67-washed-my-engine-saturday-dam-*-$-$$$.html

I'd have to agree with Claborn, at least on a C4. I've read posts on this board before where members even take the nozzle off the hose and simply use an un-pressurized stream of water when washing the engine bay.

Jane Ann

 

[G Winter]

ummm that has disaster written all over it for a C4..... spraying water in the engine bay without wrapping the electrical stuff..... check this link.... http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...67-washed-my-engine-saturday-dam-*-$-$$$.html

Other than the opti , water in the engine bay of a C4 shouldn't hurt anything. I have the L98 and I power wash the engine frequently.
All connections are water tight if they are in reasonably good condition.
I avoid direct spray on the dist cap because I don't like taking it off to dry it out. If the engine bay can't take this than every time you hit a large amount of water or drive in the rain you are in jeopardy of being stranded on the road.

Glenn

 

[Steve96]

Here’s a link to a thread that talks about a few products to help clean under the hood. (My Photobucket account needs attention because my engine compartment images are no longer showing up.)

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/care-detailing/95366-how-i-detailed-my-engine-bay.html

To play it safe, it’s best to keep the Opti dry and not hit it directly with water. Personally I think the Opti demon card is overplayed, I’ve had no problems with them... but, better to cover it and any major electrical connections. I use Saran Wrap and rubber bands to secure the wrap during any water applications.

I’ve had good results using a 50/50 mixture of Simple Green and water. Mix the water and Simple Green in a spray bottle and apply for initial cleaning of the engine compartment. Then move on to the detailing phase. Avoid getting the Opti wet to be safe.


B17Crew

Great information, I was hoping the Opti spark would not be to big of an issue.

 

[Steve96]

Hi Jane Ann,

When I first logged in the CAC, I was amazed at the information and helpfulness.
thank
Steve

 

[Steve96]

good link, that is what I am afraid of. thank for the reply.

 

[B17Crew]

:ugh That's terrible!

(I posted to your engine bay thread so as not to sidetrack this one.)

Thank you, Jane Ann!

B17Crew

 

[B17Crew]

Great information, I was hoping the Opti spark would not be to big of an issue.

Enjoy your ‘96 and don’t forget to post some before and after pictures!

B17Crew

 

[air1jpg]

Other than the opti , water in the engine bay of a C4 shouldn't hurt anything. I have the L98 and I power wash the engine frequently.
All connections are water tight if they are in reasonably good condition.
I avoid direct spray on the dist cap because I don't like taking it off to dry it out. If the engine bay can't take this than every time you hit a large amount of water or drive in the rain you are in jeopardy of being stranded on the road.

Glenn

G, the OP has a LT1/LT4 engine which is a bit more susceptible to water sprayed from a pressure washer than a L98 engine is. The rubber strips around the front wheel bays keep alot of the water spraying up from a puddle into the engine bay.