I want to clean my engine compartment...but I'm scared.

[Voymom]

Most of you know the history of Phantom, which is why I'm a bit scared to actually do it lol

What cleaner can I use? Can I use regular car wash soap? Can I use windex, vinegar? Something household anyways.

I know to cover my Alternator, but what do I cover it with? What happens if the rag covering the alternator gets wet when I rinse out the engine compartment? Is there anything else I need to cover up? I plan on just washing it here with the garden hose so no power washing.

 

[Wooluf1952]

I used Simple Green engine cleaner spray.

Aluminum foil works great for covering the alt because you can mold it on.

A little water on the alt shouldn't hurt any more than driving in the rain.

 

[tbuckalew14]

I used Simple Green engine cleaner spray.

Aluminum foil works great for covering the alt because you can mold it on.

A little water on the alt shouldn't hurt any more than driving in the rain.

I use aluminum foil also.

 

[STLtrailbSS]

Simple green is the best! , to make it shiny and all pretty you can use a plastic/vinyl dressing

 

[DucatiSS]

I just did mine. I used Scrubbing Bubbles and just the water from the hose. No covering of anything because no pressure. Spray the Scrubbing Bubbles, wait 5 min. brush off, then rinse. I found an old paint brush and a round dishwashing brush worked the best.

 

[Me007gold]

Simple Green to clean, then I used a product called CD-2.Sprayed everything but the belts, no water required

 

[Black_tb]

yeah you dont have to cover the alternator some one else posted that they were in a class were the teacher poured a glass of water on the alternator while it was running

 

[kjkim93]

Aluminum Foil works best on alternator. And when i clean i use a de greaser first. Then Cleaner, and de greaser one last time. Then i use any back to black products to give it that shine

 

[CdnGMan]

This is an interesting thread... I've been wanting to do this as well, but was hesitant...
Looks like I'll be having this done when I head up to play with Harmless...

 

[04Trailblazer]

It shouldn't hurt to just use some simple green and quickly spray with a garden hose over the engine. just try not to spray to much water on the alternator. I spray simple green and let it set for about 5 mins, then I rinse it all off and start it up and let it run for about 5 mins to let everything dry.

 

[am-radio]

I never let my engine get dirty. I wash the engine compartment every time I wash the rest of the vehicle. I've been doing this for almost 20 years now, with no problems.

 

[Mark20]

Alternators and the rest of the engine get pretty wet when going through the rain. They don't like being completely submerged which if you do on a TB/Voy you've got bigger problems. An old Furd had its alternator mounted at the bottom of the engine and a deep puddle I drove through dropped its output to 0 for a minute until it dried out.

 

[The_Roadie]

...I wash the engine compartment every time I wash the rest of the vehicle. ...

I wash my engine every time I wash the rest of the vehicle, too! For some odd reason, it remains dirty.

 

[91RS]

I use a pressure washer when I wash mine. Keeps the water concentration down, too.

 

[jrSS]

Douche bags at the dealership sprayed mine down and got water in the fuckin headlight that's ok they are replacing the whole headlight housing.

 

[Jkust]

I've had three 360's and own two of them now. I powerwash all the engine comparments avoiding only the electrics on the driver side. Other than that I pressure wash them like I stole them. I don't cover anything but avoid any plastic with decals. I've done every car I've ever owned like that with no ill effects. The best satisfaction is to have a mechanic compliment you on your clean engine bay. On my old minivan that I meticulously maintained, the oil change guy thought the car had been in a crash and repainted it was so nice for its age here in MN where engine bays get corroded in a couple years.

 

[tblazerdude]

I like to dry off the area around the coil packs so water doesn't try to seep onto the top of the plugs and rust them. Last time I did plugs the tops of my plugs were rusted. Low water pressure is a good idea too when your around the coil packs.

 

[02 green tb]

Simple Green to clean, then I used a product called CD-2.Sprayed everything but the belts, no water required

Where did you get the CD-2 from? My engine compartment looks almost as shiny as yours. I use elbow grease and Meguirs tire shine! I'd like it to look a bit shinier though!

 

[91RS]

Here's a picture of my engine. I used DP wheel cleaner to clean mine and then Meg's Hyper Dressing for just a little shine (but not greasy/nasty like tire shine - don't use tire shine!).

 

[Jkust]

Cleaning mine as I type.