Keeping engine bay clean??

[madhartigan]

I've noticed that almost everyone's pix include engine bay shots. The engines and all adjacent parts are immaculately clean.

I'm wondering how you guys keep that engine bay so clean and what kind of steps can I take to keep mine just as clean?

Thanks!!

[Fat Ping Cat]

Originally Posted by madhartigan

I've noticed that almost everyone's pix include engine bay shots. The engines and all adjacent parts are immaculately clean.

I'm wondering how you guys keep that engine bay so clean and what kind of steps can I take to keep mine just as clean?

Thanks!!

haha woot Reading! I lived there (in Muhlenberg) for 8 years.

Being that it is a new car all I have been doing is wiping off all of the dust every month. I put some rubber/vinyl conditioner on things i feel need it. Still clean as new. When I had an older car I would go through the whole process of covering up different components then washing it off with hose, but i probably won't have to with this car if i keep up with it. you could also opt for a once a year professional steam cleaning of the engine. it isn't that expensive and it looks like new after it is done.

[madhartigan]

Thank you for the reply!!

Could you recommend a rubber/vinyl conditioner.

Also, with the onset of winter aren't conditions going to progress to a point where some serious road grime and dirt will make it's way up into the engine compartment? I guess that's where the steam cleaning comes into usefulness?

I'm not super anal-retentive but I'd like to keep this (my first brand new car) as clean as is reasonable.

[Nabisco]

Silicon Spray, not lubricant, spray. You can find it at detail supply web sites, janitor supply stores, and some motor cycle shops. In a pinch, you can use a good tire glaze.

If you use the wrong stuff you will know because dirt will stick. I haven't bothered with my fit. Instead, I have been using a wet rag once a month to clean the top of everything under the hood and the underside of the hood etc.

Your mechanic will like you more if you keep things nice and clean under there but not slimy.

[Nabisco]

I wish there was an easy way to clean underneath the car. When I go to the car wash I usually spray underneath and in the wheel wells.

[Fat Ping Cat]

Originally Posted by Nabisco

Silicon Spray, not lubricant, spray. You can find it at detail supply web sites, janitor supply stores, and some motor cycle shops. In a pinch, you can use a good tire glaze.

If you use the wrong stuff you will know because dirt will stick. I haven't bothered with my fit. Instead, I have been using a wet rag once a month to clean the top of everything under the hood and the underside of the hood etc.

Your mechanic will like you more if you keep things nice and clean under there but not slimy.

agreed. it doesn't have to be expensive spray if you even want to use that. something like STP son of a gun would work and its cheap. all you really need to do is use a wet rag once a month. having a clean engine is pretty important, it allows the engine to run cooler and more efficient and it is just nice for when ever you have to work on it.

[TurboManGT]

I use 3M dry type silicone spray. It must be DRY TYPE!!!!

I makes anything look new

[Nabisco]

I used to pressure wash and coat the hell out of my engine with silicone in my old car. When I did the swap, I took advantage of the opportunity to pressure wash the bay.

I just love the sight of an engine glistening in the light.

[Previc93]

When i was my car once a week. i leave my car running so the engine bay is hot. then i wash under the hood. i still have oem air box so i dont cover it but if you have an exposed filter i would cover it with something. but youd have to turn off the car. i get the engine bay hot so that when the water hits the exhast it steams. then i wipe all of the water spots. it wont get dirty if you keep up on it.

[Nabisco]

I'm sure everyone has a different method but this is what I used to do.

I would usually wash when the motor was cold, covering the alternator and air filter with plastic wrap.

When I was pressure washing I would avoid spraying directly on certain areas. Also I was using a low pressure electric type washer. Don't try this with a gas (Honda) powered monster!

When finished, unwrap alternator and filter, fire it up, and let engine idle with hood down but not latched for 15 minutes to dry.
Once dry, lift hood and shut off engine to let cool for a while.
Once everything is cool you might want to use clean any shiny pipes you may have and then apply your silicone spray to plastics etc..

Hopefully soon, my Fit will be getting this treatment with its sexy turbo kit installed. :-)

[FitPilot]

Here is a method I used when i had my Impala SS, and it came from some guy on that forum. I havent used it ont he Fit yet cause its been kept pretty clean. Works great, the downside is that if you have to wipe off the excess.


Engine Cleaning/Detailing by Gary Grant - HOTSS
1) On a hot/warm engine, spray the entire engine compartment down with Windex. Close the cowl(hood) and wait @ 3-5 minutes.

2) Lift the cowl(hood) and mist the engine compartment with water. Now spray the entire area with Armor All. Close the cowl and again wait 3-5 minutes.

3) Repeat the Windex and Armor All application again. Now, after the second coat of Armor All, close up the engine compartment and wash and detail the exterior of your car.

4)When you are finished, open the cowl(hood) and wipe down any excess Armor All.

[gimme]

Originally Posted by Previc93

When i was my car once a week. i leave my car running so the engine bay is hot. then i wash under the hood. i still have oem air box so i dont cover it but if you have an exposed filter i would cover it with something. but youd have to turn off the car. i get the engine bay hot so that when the water hits the exhast it steams. then i wipe all of the water spots. it wont get dirty if you keep up on it.

that could be bad. you could crack the block that way. well, atleast i think you can. like putting an ice cube in hot water, it cracks.

i could be wrong though

[Previc93]

Lol well hopefully it doesnt cause everyone at the dealership i work at does it when were finished with the cars. that would probably get us more business though. i may have to do more research. it would also give me a good reason to get a k20.

[gimme]

i know what you are taling about. at my dealership they steam clean my engine bays. the water comes out hot.

[JDMxGE8]

1) Let the engine cool down for about 10-15 minutes
2) Cover air box and electrical components with aluminum foil/plastic bags
3) Spray engine cleaner/degreaser
4) Wait 5-10 minutes
5) Rinse off with water
6) Dry with towel
7) Let engine run for 5-10 minutes
8) Enjoy!

[feddup]

To avoid warping your disc brake rotors your car should be cool anyway when you wash it. I'm no detailing "guru" but I wash the fit about once a week, by hand, and the last thing I do as I'm drying is to work my way around the car going from the driver's door sill back toward the rear hatch and ending up in the engine compartment. You don't want the engine compartment stuff (grit) elsewhere so it has to be last. I carry a screwdriver with me and double the towel over it to reach into spots that are hard to get to. If you wipe down every week/wash the engine bay doesn't get out of hand.

[Fa1]

Your rotors don't warp at all, they glaze.

[madhartigan]

Just wanted to chime in here and thank everyone for all of the great feedback regarding this topic. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who find these answers to be rather obvious but, for me, they are all very enlightening.

I definitely appreciate learning as many tips as possible for keeping my new Fit looking as "fit" as possible.


Thanks!!

[Cat]

Definitely a good idea to pop the hood and clean the bay area after you wash the car. Grit and small rocks can get in the lip where the hood latches and cause scratches. I have had my car since May 2007 and the bay is as clean today as the day I bought it.

Cat :x