I bought my accord last year. The guy who sold it cleaned up the engine bay really nice. I don't know how he did it but he did a good job. Well, it's getting pretty dirty after a year. I've cleaned the engines in my other cars before by just using the pressure gun at the car wash. It works fine but I've screwed things up before. I got water in the spark plug gaps in my wifes altima and shorted out the AC in my previous accord. Both goof ups I fixed with little problem by drying out the gaps and cleaning/drying up the electrical connections for the AC. But I don't want to mess anything else up, especially on my '99 where things are a little more advanced than the other cars.

I thought of using engine cleaner, the stuff you get in the aerosol can, but I'd have to use a few cans of it. I've always tried to avoid the electrical components (distributor, spark plug gaps, etc.) but there are contacts and wires all over the place in the 6th gens (and pretty much all cars past 1990) engine bay. Ideas?

 

I use Simple Green cleaner. Comes on a spray bottle at Walmart etc. I spray it all over, use a rag to wipe some areas, a brush to get into others. Then light spray with a garden hose. Make sure you rinse off all painted surfaces, do it on cold or very slightly warm motor. Redo any really oily spots. Then start and run the motor to aide in drying stuff out, or better yet, take it for a ride. Then finish drying with a towel.
Just make damn sure you rinse it off the painted surfaces, even wash the car afterwards wouldn't hurt, the stuff isn't too harsh, but I have left some slight marks on dark paint in the hot sun. They did come right off with a wax job, just a warning though.

Do this at your own risk, but I've never had a problem.

 

I'll have to try that. Seems like it would work. I don't have a lot of really thick grease or sludge so I bet a quick rinse would do the job. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

 

Spray it on. Let it sit for a while, not too long. Blast it off with a water hose. Repeat if necessary. It's good stuff.

 

wrap up the alternator in tin foil or a plastic bad.
same with the battery and exposed wires or electrical parts

 

if youre afraid of hosing down you engine... then use wet towels.

 

Take it to the detailer and let them do it. If they screw it up, they can replace the parts that shorted out! Most likely, they will do a stellar job and not break anything. You will have a sparkling clean engine and be all the wiser for spending time with your wife or girlfriend doing something for her in that time. Just a thought... --Steve

 

yea man take it to a profecional... its safer.. but if u dont wanna waste that much money just do it with wet towels little by little just to be safe thats what i do.. i give my engine a clean like every month..

 

ive found lots and lots of engine foamy brite. (of course protecting the essentials)