I have never personally cleaned my engine thoroughly. I just always used some armoral and just kinda quickly detailed it. I found this article and i hope it helps

http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Car-Engine

 

I'm going to try and wash out the engine bay at least once a month so it doesn't build up to the point of needing degreased. The shiny aluminum 5.3 looks so good, I don't want it to get dirty!

 

Hartski, I was thinking the same thing! I love that clean engine bay. Not sure if this is good or bad, but...there is lots of plastic under the hood to keep shined up!

 

Hmmm.......I wonder what one of those Polishing balls and Mother's Aluminum polish would do to the engine...........

 

i have a 06 z71 and i wash my engine bay about one a month and i never have had any problems, when i do i keep it running though cause the heat will evaporate the water if it does get into any electrical, im sure you will be fine

 

Really?
I would be more worried to leave it running. With the sytem energized and running, the chances of an electrical short or arc would be greater. Also, hitting a hot engine with cold water could casue damage.

 

thats how ive always done it and learned from my dad, if the truck is off the the water can run father into the electrical then it might be to late when you start it, atleast the heat from it being on will evaporate the water, its up to you bro, but hope it was helpful

 

I am with 2006Z71 I leave mine running. However mine is a less scientific...I worry I will stall the engine and be stranded . Less of an issue these days with cell phones but back in high school this was a real concern. That was a long time ago. Some old habits never die.

 

I had my GMC Sierra (1990) for 21 years until recently, and I traded for a 2010 Silverado Crew (got $3200 for my 1990). I washed my engine 5 to 6 times a year to keep sparkling clean. I wash it (only when it's cold, never hot) with Purple Power or Simple Green, let it sit for about 3 minutes then hose off. I then use a foaming tire shine to keep the plastic covers, etc. shining. Never had any problems with mine.

 

Another interesting topic for debate! This is great. I've always hated working on dirty grimy engines (or anything else for that matter!), but certainly have had my hands into grit & grime up to my elbows sometimes. I wipe down my tools before putting them away too.

Anyway, I have always kept my vehicle engines clean. Some reasonably clean, some way beyond that...

matheny9 made a statement about using a foaming tire shine to keep the plastic covers, etc. shining. I totally agree. I've been doing that for about 5 years now, using No Touch brand, and the results are great. It lifts off the dirt and gets under it with a slippery surface so it won't settle back down. Works GREAT. It doesn't harm the aluminum parts, and gives those a bit of a shine too. Do NOT get it on the belts or pulleys!!! I always take a paper towel and wipe down all the plastic surfaces for a better result, even though the name says "No Touch".

Now to the point of hot vs cold. Back in the day, I used to do it hot. Now, with higher operating temperatures, and various metal castings, there's no way I would hose it off unless I could touch every engine surface without burning my fingers. Not even if you have access to a hot water supply with your hose. I have a european turbodiesel and hitting a hot turbo with water is a big no-no! So my answer here is - hosing off a barely warm or cold engine is okay. Nothing else.

Electrical - the connectors are SO much better today, that I don't worry about that. I do exercise caution around the alternator so I don't spray directly into it.

Definitely spray through the radiator (preferably from the inside toward the front) to get rid of bugs and other clogs, salt and other chemicals. Never with a power-washer.

I don't recommend using a power-washer, but if you do, keep your distance, and know what areas you'll hit and what areas you'll avoid BEFORE you start.

A clean engine will run a bit cooler, and its easier to spot issues when they are still small.

Using degreasers (I use GUNK only if an engine is really gross and disgusting) can allow unpainted metal surfaces to deteriorate faster, as even a light coat of petroleum product provides protection from salt and other road chemicals.

If you live in the "rust belt", be sure to protect all metal surfaces when you are done cleaning. Wax works good. I think the foaming tire cleaner does a decent job of protecting too.

 

Great input. I think I will try simple green on a cold engine, and follow it up with the shiny stuff. Great feedback!

 

Great thread. I've never actually cleaned my own engine. I've only had one car that I owned have it's engined clear while it was detailed. So we don't have to worry about all the electrical wires when rinsing it with the hose? And we should just hand wash the black plastic and aluminum with simple green or the like while the engine is cold?

Seems scary to me.

 

Do you leave your truck on or off when cleaning it matheny9

 

Definitely wash with engine shut off.

 

OFF for sure

 

I clean my motor all the time. Most of the time its cleaner than the exterior lol when its cold I spray it down with super clean(its in a purple bottle and the sell it a auto stores or walmart) use a brush if I need to then hose it off. When i'm done rinsing I wipe down all the plastic pieces with a microfiber so not to get water spots. Finish the process by starting up your motor and let it warm up and clear its throat. Viola!

 

My son a registered GM mechanic Told me to stay away from pressure washing the top area of the engine. Water WILL make it's way down into the valley and as he said" Make you more problems than you need"
Just clean the out sides and wipe the rest down the best you can.

 

Reckon you would wanna do mine? :shock:

 

some of the guys on here have had problem with the knock sensors getting wet and rusting over time. the knock sensors are located under the intake manifold. other than that ive never had a problem washing my engine, i do it with the engine off and battery disconnected and let her dry for a few hours.

 

Reckon you would wanna do mine? :shock:

That is dirty!!! Nasty!! I see the shovel in the side there see your job is all picked out for ya :?:
Oh hell yes sarge. Be right over. That's what mine looked like when I got it. It was a forest service rig, Had gravel under the floor boards , floor pads were full of pine needles and I think squirrel crap. Also down in the inside of the doors little fir cones were growing.
I did take my air hose and give it a blow job,,, :roll: Ah shut up guys!!

The knock sensors are just what my son was talking about.

Take the day off will ya.

 

I did mine after the winter using simple green. On a cold engine wet it down sprayed the cleaner some light scrubbing where needed and hosed it off. Went back ove any spots I missed and then ran it for about 10 - 15 min to dry it off. It came out great and the tire shine does work well on the plastics to give it a little shine. I do it on my Silverado and Camaro especially before I take the Camaro to a show or cruise night.

 

Since I started this thread, I figured I better wrap it all up. I used the feedback from you all, and some tips from a friend of mine who does a lot of detailing, I came up with a process that really works! See this How To: How to Clean Your Engine Compartment

I did this on 3 vehicles this fall, with great results. I intend to do it again in the spring to get all the salt and grime off, and probably do it once or twice per year going forward.

 

i usually clean my engine bay every time i wash the truck. i just spray some simple green on everything, let it penetrate for a few minutes, then hose it off. Never had a problem.

 

I've washed my engine bay a few times, after the most recent wash the truck started running really bad. Not sure why but its still happening.