spacecase

Hello, I have learned a number of things from this forum already that I will be looking into for my car, but I would like to ask my first question, which I haven't been able to find much guindance on via search.

I am the original/sole owner of a 1995 Civic DX. It's all manual.. no power anything.. not even AC. I've done some of my own maintenance throughout her life, but I'm definitely not a mechanic, and one thing has been bugging me for a while that I have never done.

She's still running strong, but the engine and compartment is just filthy. I know there are engine cleaners, but from what I have read on the labels, most require certain parts/materials to be wrapped before spraying the cleaning stuff on the engine.

Is this really necessary? I just want to spray something on the whole thing and not worry about it. Are there any products, or different methods of cleaning that will dissolve the years of built up grime without too much worry about the soft, or electrical materials in the engine compartment? If not, perhaps someone could tell me exactly what to wrap.. like, what is of the most concern to damage from these off-the-shelf cleaners.

TIA

DVDr

iTrader: (2)

Theres a few different methods depending on what you have available to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcVbg3viMP8

http://www.ehow.com/how_2046215_detail-engine-bay.html

watch the vid and read the how to, then it will be easier to guide you .

and welcome to the forum

blackek13

oven cleaner.....anything with a lot of citrus in it for real....

spacecase

DVDr: Thanks, that video is great. Spray it on and wash it off. Seems simple enough!

wudini

http://www.autogeek.net/engine-guide.html

Mad-Mike

iTrader: (1)

Be careful with oven cleaner cause it will eat your paint.

95civickilla

AND TRY TO COVER THE DIZZY AND SPARKPLUG WIRES SO IT WONT GET THRU THE SPARKPLUGS OR YOUR DIZZY BUT I DO IT WITH JUST PRESSURE WASHER AND A SPONGE TO CLEAN EVERYTHING AND PUT SOME ARMOR ALL THRU OUT THE ENGINE AND GET A DRY TOWEL AND TAKE THE ARMOR ALL OFF GENTLY JUST TO MAKE IT GLOSS AND DONE IVE DONE IT FOR YEARS IN HONDAS AND DONE JOBS ON CLEANING ENGINES BAYS FOR 30 BUCKS A PIECE JAJA AND IS SO EASY NOT EVEN 15 MINUTES

Heart4Tuners

Don't recommend power washing, that water gets into nooks and crannies that the air pressure doesn't and it does a good job of corroding away where ever it gets trapped. Just my 2 cents.

Armor all is only good for brightening but in reality, over the long run, it continues to shrink the plastic in interiors. The same would apply to the more delicate plastics under the hood.

Eddie 70

I used simple green and worked my engine compartment over pretty good. Much better looking than it was before. Still needs some work but much better than before. It had an oil leak through the distributor and had been leaking for quite a while. Now it actually looks like and engine might be under the hood.

95civickilla

well armor all work good for me use it for years and no biggie and pressure washing it the engine gets hot and very hot water is going to evaporate

TwoFaced

Cover fuse box...plug wires...dizzy...intake...

I hear the tire shine foam stuff from turtle wax brand is good for brightening up rubber and plastics in the bay.

I would use simple green and a toothbrush after covering stuff up and don't use highly pressurized water.

TwoFaced

Cover fuse box...plug wires...dizzy...intake...

I hear the tire shine foam stuff from turtle wax brand is good for brightening up rubber and plastics in the bay.

I would use simple green and a toothbrush after covering stuff up and don't use highly pressurized water.

spacecase

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm gonna give it a go!

Heart4Tuners

Let us know how it goes (with pics if possible!)
I'd love to try it on my car

bsmith100

I would never use oven cleaner because it will take the paint off of almost anything except something with baked on enamel like the inside of an oven.