Engine washing? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

DavePont · 05-26-2004, 07:23 PM

Hey there!

Just got my gen3 ('92) Camry from my grand father and I everytime I look in the engine bay it's a big pain to see how dirty it is and how crappy it looks.. I was wondering how to wash it up... Can I just shoot in directly with a hose and rub with a piece of cloth and some car-soap (my neighbor also owns a water-pressurizer, you know that thing that shoots water at 60mph and cleans everything instantly)??

Are those OK to use or do I have to go with just a wet cloth to make sure I dont break the whole engine?

Any details, tips and infos will be well appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

-Dave

Fever · 05-26-2004, 07:53 PM

I've used stuff called GUNK degreaser. Spray the engine compartment with this stuff, let sit for a few minutes, then spray it down with the hose. Probably have to do more than once on the tough parts. Read the instructions.

I make sure to wrap my alternator in plastic to keep her dry. Also be carefull where you do it, it can leave a bad oil stain on nice cement drive. And I wouldn't use a power washer either.

Gene

DavePont · 05-26-2004, 08:44 PM

Thanks! Any other advice, anyone?

MykeLefty · 05-26-2004, 08:56 PM

Glamour shot of my engine bay [PICS]

a94autoCamry · 05-26-2004, 09:01 PM

the way you need to do it is buy some of that engine foam cleaner stuff, follow the directions, or use simple green (not the spray bottle one, its too diluted), and put that on ur engine bay...and i'd go to one of those places that has that strong ass hose ....pressure wash the engine man, that way it will get out all the dirt and crap easily.... me and brungold... we both did it this way, but be sure to cover up the battery and alternator.... oh yea btw....we saw this man with a gen3 v6 camry and he just sprayed the fuking engine bay EVERYWHERE!!!!!! he didnt cover nothing!!! that dude was insane, but somehow his car managed to start up after he was done.... dam man... he nutz..

MykeLefty · 05-27-2004, 12:32 AM

i didn't cover anything either.... i must be nutz too

CamryMax · 05-27-2004, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MykeLefty
i didn't cover anything either.... i must be nutz too

you should

Me and my friend washed his egnine bay in his intrepid. Didn't cover a thing. Next morning he couldn't start the car, the positive ring on the battery got rusted

LOL

THe funny part is that I washed my engine bay the same day, and my wouldn't start 4 days later because of the same problem

Everything else works fine.

Lumberg · 05-27-2004, 06:58 AM

well you shouldn't spray the battery silly!

CamNub · 05-27-2004, 08:45 AM

Simple Green will do the trick.

I didn't look at that link but i think its the cleaning engine thread. Many ppl use Simple Green.

finese1 · 05-27-2004, 08:52 AM

what about steam cleaning is that better.

CamNub · 05-27-2004, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by finese1
what about steam cleaning is that better.

I dunno, but all the stuff stated should work. Its just how much you wanna spend. Simple green can do about just as good a job as a steam clean.

Lumberg · 05-27-2004, 02:12 PM

Gunk Engine brite works great. It's just kerosene in a foamy carrier. AAP now has a generic equivalent. That's what I used and it worked great.

Unless you are showing the car that's all you need. Just follow the instructions on the can.

kenratboy · 05-27-2004, 03:31 PM

I don't cover anything, but and just careful to not directly hit the battery, alternator, or anything sensitive. You really think a splash of water is going to hurt your car

- anyway, where I live, the humidity dries anything in just a few minuites.

I use the Gunk stuff, but my aluminum intake manifold needs some more TLC.

Oh, and don't go overboard on the cleaning. It is like cleaning optics - only do it when you need to, as everytime you do it, you will hurt things just a little. I only clean it a few times a year, and it looks VERY good for a 7 year old car when you pop the hood. I just want to keep layers of black grime off the parts!

jhbhatia · 05-27-2004, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by finese1
what about steam cleaning is that better.

Thats what a detail shop can do...if you wanted DIY stuff...i'd stick with simple green. With that said...i do get my engine steam cleaned once a year.

albertcua · 05-27-2004, 04:09 PM

I washed my engine without covering anything except if I have cone K & N filter. battery terminal shouldnt get rusty at all even if you wet it...at least mine never does..but to be safe I guess you should..