Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Cleaning your engine...

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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 06:42 PM
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Icon2 Cleaning your engine...

Just wanted to know what youve used in the past or currently use to keep your engine and transmission clean.

Ive used diluted acid and a heated pressure washer but is there anything else that you've had success with? thanks

If you have any before/after pics it would be appreciated.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 06:48 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

You can use tire shine.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 06:53 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Thanks ill look into that
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 06:55 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

just depends on the amount of grime...

my car, since it's an '08, i can use optimum power clean at 10:1, a boars hair brush for crevices and water spray bottle to wash it away in a controlled manner so i don't have to cover anything.

i've used optimum power clean at full strength, agitate with a medium to stiff bristle brush, and spray away with the water.

i've used gunk engine foam (the stinky stuff) and a water spray bottle to rinse it off.

i've seen people use steam and a brush.

your technique is probably just fine if it has worked before and as long as you are covering sensitive electrical/electronic stuff, using a acid ratio that isn't too strong and aren't getting the pressure washer too close to anything.

i like to use optimum tire shine for most rubber and plastic, etc. under the hood, since it's water based and actually feeds the rubber. for quickies meguiars hyper dressing at 3:1 or 4:1 is awesome too...it's also my go to for fender liners/wheel wells. stuff is awesome and also water-based.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 08:53 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

i've used Simple Green and a tooth brush. Lol, pretty primitive but gets the job done
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 11:18 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

I going to try some of the stuff you guys use thanks.

I have a B16A in the 98 Civic coupe. They are notorious for the cam plug leaking oil and Ive gotten that fixed. I cleaned up the transmission but the block has alot of grime. What would you use for that? thx
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 11:23 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Simple green, scotch bright and maybe a tooth brush to get into the spots and a hose.
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 12:49 AM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

walmart degreaser tiny wire brush.. tire bling on all the hoses/plastic stuff
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 04:45 AM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Simple Green works great but I sometimes use brake cleaner and a toothbrush.
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 07:30 AM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

I use simple green as well.
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 09:16 AM
  #11  
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Im going to try the simple green. thx
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 09:35 AM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

brake cleaner, best **** ever!
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 04:50 PM
  #13  
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Brake Cleaner has been tried by just about everyone. Im not a noob, just want to try something new thats efficient. How many cans would it take to clean an entire engine? Too many in my opinion.
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 04:53 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

go to the carwash, use there engine/tire cleaner and then use the high pressure rinse. works really well! u just gotta cover up a few things such as dizzy, air cleaner, and the spark plug wires
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 04:53 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

i use an orange degreaser in a can with a tooth brush and then wd-40 it... but i clean it kinda often
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 06:32 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Ive used orange degreaser before. It works well.
Thanks killahatch, Ive tried that before it did work pretty good.

Im going to take a picture of my motor its on a stand now so itll be easier to clean while im taking care of a few things on it before I transplant it into my car. The dirt on here is just caked up on it. I guess a toothbrush would be good with all your ideas if I kept it clean all the time.

What about that first clean though with mud/grime/grease caked on it. Do you really want to be there all day with a toothbrush? Not trying to say its not a good idea cause it is. What about alot of dirt?
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 06:37 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

tooth brush + degreaser
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 06:48 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

i still use a toothbrush for a lot of grime... but i use engine gunk... the toothbrush is what can get in the small gaps...
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 06:49 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Watch using engine degreaser by painted objects.

I learned the hard way =[
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 07:15 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Originally Posted by noz79
Ive used orange degreaser before. It works well.
Thanks killahatch, Ive tried that before it did work pretty good.

Im going to take a picture of my motor its on a stand now so itll be easier to clean while im taking care of a few things on it before I transplant it into my car. The dirt on here is just caked up on it. I guess a toothbrush would be good with all your ideas if I kept it clean all the time.

What about that first clean though with mud/grime/grease caked on it. Do you really want to be there all day with a toothbrush? Not trying to say its not a good idea cause it is. What about alot of dirt?
when my motor was on the stand we just wheeled it out into the lava rocks and sprayed it down with the walmart degreaser (looks like a spraypaint can) and used the mini wirebrushes that look like toothbrushes and it got real clean, then i painted it.

cleaned


painted
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 07:31 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

^Taping preparation is 90% of the job, bud. I see some overspray...
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 07:46 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Originally Posted by SpecialBrownie
^Taping preparation is 90% of the job, bud. I see some overspray...
bleh, lol.. I used blue tape like a dumb ***, but I got all the stuff that leaked under it off
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 08:21 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Painted block? Not my cup of tea nor is it the cooling systems favorite "upgrade"
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 09:16 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Originally Posted by 93egSLEEPER
Painted block? Not my cup of tea nor is it the cooling systems favorite "upgrade"
are you serious? there is no problem with your cooling from painting an engine block.. whether you like it or not is your opinion, but I figure it looked better than beat up old block..
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 09:20 PM
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Default Re: Cleaning your engine...

Originally Posted by lunareg
are you serious? there is no problem with your cooling from painting an engine block.. whether you like it or not is your opinion, but I figure it looked better than beat up old block..
All im saying is you cant argue the fact a painted block will hold in more heat then a bare block. thats all i was trying to say. more heat=more wear and tear.
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