Wash the LS1?

[Rain]

Am sure this goes in with the "my LT1 is overheating, oh no!" threads, but here goes.


Have a 2000 coupe/ LS1.
Engine is dirty and needs some TLC.
Glad to not have an optispark to deal with, but what should I watch out for?

NO Simple Green?

Anyone suggest a cleaner that is just strong enough to do the job?

Do I need to not spray a particular area with water?(like the air intake or MAF)

Thanks guys
Rain

 

[74bigblock]

I've hosed down my Trans AM's LS1 a few times.

I took a plastic bag and covered the computer. Other than that, all of the connections are fairly water resistant. Most have a rubber gasket that seals the connection from the elements.

I used a detail kit from Pep Boys that included a safe cleaner and a detail glaze. Simple Green also works well. The important thing is to not blast any part of the motor with water directly. Spray on your cleaner to a cool motor and let it soak. Then use indirect water... like a mist or gently with a garden hose with your finger over the spout to rinse off. Wipe out any excess water with a cotton towel. Fire your motor ASAP. The heat from the engine will evaporate any remaining water before it can penetrate your electrics.

I would remove the plastic head covers (that say Corvette) so that you can get around the valve covers and stuff.

 

[Rain]

ttt!

 

[Pac-man]

Rain, those HRE's are a huge score. I have the same ones, 547's, on my triple bl. vert. They cost like 6G's, without rubber! I took them apart and had the center (spokes) powder coated black. The lip remains polished alum. They look great either way. Nice car.

 

[Rain]

Thanks - love to see a pic or 2 of your HREs.
(yes, they were quite a score) - 2 of em have a bit of curb rash that I want Wheelmasters to repair.
Rain

 

[DRTH VTR]

Rain- I have hosed my engine off a few times. If I am doing a show, I will go to the spray car wash and use the final rinse water (low pressure) to rinse the dust off. That is about all that I have needed to do.

 

[Rain]

Thanks friend.
Just making sure im not doing a NO NO before cleaning it up!

 

[Vettehead]

Scrubbing Bubbles

A friend of mine suggested using Dow's Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner. Has anyone tried using that or something similar? I'm kind of nervous using a hose on the LS1; has anyone used a hose on thier engine parts before? Are there any parts we need to stay away from? I'm more comfortable with a spray bottle of water and a rag.

 

[Rain]

My 96's LT1/optispark requred NO WATER.
air hose and rags. WOrked but was just that, WORK

Have been told we can spray these, just to be careful around the MAF and the air intake.

 

[Deluxe]

I've done mine 3 times (27,500). Any reasonably mild degreaser will do... I use Windex. Spray it around some and let it soak. I usually take the injector covers off to clean under there too.

Don't spray, but you can run a hose to rinse. Do the battery compartment by hand, don't wash in there. Everything else is fair game.

The only real problem I've heard is the anti-knock sensors have a tendancy to corrode because they are in the valley where water can collect. Since mine is a dailey driver, I don't think water can collect down there for very long on mine... but something to think about. (maybe a little spirited driving to slosh the water out...)

Some folks spray some amoral some protectant around to make it look nice, but I think that attracts dirt and my engine compartment looks good just by cleaning a couple of times a year.

 

[Rain]

exactly what I did(pretty much)
a mild degreaser(which it really didnt need) and a light misting spray of water.

Cranked it for about 20 min to heat it all up and it did fine.
Will try running it down the interstate today and see what happens!

Thanks guys
Rain

 

[mqqn]

Hi Folks -

I have spray-washed my Z06's engine many times - and my wifes coupe once so far.

No problems at all - I just take care not to spray directly into the alternator, but it still gets wet during the wash.


I use soapy pressure wash, then pressure rinse, then no-spot.

Then I take a long cruise to make sure it is thoroughly warmed up and dried-off.

Works for me - no problems at all. In fact, my Lumina and truck get the same treatment.

best regards -

mqqn