(Newbie) How to do I Degreasing Engine.

[freeyellow2000]

First of.. I total newbie, I have 90 Corolla with 1.6L. I already use the search function.
And I decided to use the "Simple Green" as a degreaser. I would like someone to download the attached pic and markup what exactly need to be cover up. I research the topic but I hear horrible stories how... car would not start, had to change sparks, water in spark holes......

I can't afford to screw up my car since its my only car and i need it daily.




More Pics

[celica2004]

I have similar problem. I want to clean the mess. Any suggestions?

http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?i...olla18l2qv.jpg

[Drive_a_toy]

im not exactly sure of everything that should be covered so i cant draw allover your photos but i do know that you should cover all of the critical electrical components.....main fuse block cap and wires ......ect...this is all the advice i can give on this subject.....post a rreply if u decide to attempt it

[REN69]

I suggest that if you're gonna do it.. do it on a weekend when you don't really have to go to work. Like friday after work so that you can let it sit for a day or so until it dries off.

All I did was somewhat cover the distributor cap and the cone filter (which you don't have since you haven't removed the airbox) so that no water would really touch them, then sprayed simple green on the motor let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed it off with water. Just don't sit there with the hose for a long time spraying with water, do it in small spurts so that you don't get too much water on the motor.

I left my hood open during the day so the sun would dry off any water and whatever wetspots weren't dry, I used my dad's shopvac to finish it off. I even used the shopvac in reverse mode so that it would blow air into the motor too.

[tashirosgt]

It doesn't do any good to spray the engine compartment with a high pressure stream of water. For example, I have sprayed an engine and transmission that was out of the car with a pressure washer and found it is a good way to take a shower yourself but completely ineffective in cleaning them. (Those TV shows you see with people using pressure washers usually show them spraying walks or walls, something flat and regular. If you spray an engine, much of the water comes right back at you.) What cleans best is gently spraying the simple green or orange power cleaner and then scrubbing with a brush. You will find the places that you don't have patience to scrub don't get very clean. The hose is merely a convenient way to rinse things off and a gentle trickle will do the job. I'd cover the alternator and the distributor cap. It is usually neceasary to do several cleaning and rinsings. There are kerosene based engine cleaning products like Engine Brite. I would do one cleaning with Simple Green and use the engine cleaner only on spots where a film of il remains. (No, it doesn't magically disolve away the grime- you have to scrub.) Then do another cleaning with Simple Green. There will still be oily rusty spots left in the tight corners. A small wire brush on a drill or dremel tool is the only way that I know to get those out.

[ZXT]

I used powder detergent dissolve with water and use a bottle spray gun. I sprayed soap on hoses, lower part of the engine, firewall, tranny, radiator and lower engine block. I really didnt cover anything but its best to cover the alternator, dizzy and carb (you need to take out the air cleaner housing to properly clean your engine).

I used sandpaper (400 up to 2000 grit size) for my valve cover and headers cover. Then I apply metal polish. I also changed vacuum hoses to yellow hose techniques (hosetechniques.com) silicon hoses.

Most prolly I spend 3 hours cleaning the engine bay and 5 hours for my valve cover but not in one sitting. Maintenance is once a month.

HTH

[REN69]

so clean!

[XxaltezzaxX]

ZXT I'm in love with you engine sooooo clean. I would eat off that valve cover. As for the engine cleaning I covered my alternator main fuse box and the battery. I did use a pressure washer and it did help get alot of the gunk off the engine but I still had to go back over it with a brush(the pressure washer striped the paint off my valve cover ).All in all it just takes some time and a little down time for your car(this was all in my mazda my rolla is next).

[ZXT]

Thanks guys...its much easy to look for leaks or find an engine part when its clean. And once you got it cleaned, you never want to go back to dirty gummy engine.