Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 14:13:36 -0400
Reply-To: Daniel Brideau <dan@HOBBYETC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Daniel Brideau <dan@HOBBYETC.COM>
Subject: Re: Cleaning the engine bay...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
All these are good tips EXCEPT:
Never use Armor-all or other silicone based clean-shine-protect juice. This
includes Armor All, Son-of-a-gun, and Nu-Vinyl.
This stuff is fine as long as once you start using it, you never stop. The
plastic gets "addicted" to the juice, and will dry out and crack a short
time after you stop. The dash on my Scirocco will anecdotally vouch for
this.
here is the first hit from google:
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/carcare/all_dont_use_silicone.html
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rusty Zarse" <rzarse@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: Cleaning the engine bay...
> YO AL!
>
> You'll need: degreaser (gumout or...), two small towels, two plastic
grocery bags, a large towel (for drying the engine), a soft bristle brush
(such as a wheel brush) and a change of clothes :>)
>
> As a professional auto detailer once in a former life (about a decade abo,
more accurately), here are a few tips...
>
> Do not clean a hot engine, you could crack something from the temperature
changing too fast.
>
> Most importantly, cover the coil and distributor. I usually cover the
coil, distributor and a couple of inches of the wires from it with a hand
towel (one each side), wrapping it around as best I can, and then place a
platic bag over the towel. The goal is to keep any water from spraying with
significant force into the coil or distributor. It can get wet from the
towel getting wet, that's ok, just no pressure. Now avoid spraying these
parts, the towel could come off..
>
> Get some engine degreaser from the parts store. I don't like the red
stuff as it can discolor plastic. I prefer gumout or some such can
degreaser. First, spot test on some plastic. If everything looks ok (no
gray or green result) Spray everything down with this.
>
> Use a soft wheel brush. A long handle helps reach the tight spots. Just
help move the stuff around, be careful not to knock hoses off. Get in the
crevices, it makes a big difference when you are done...
>
> Now you can spray the engine off with reasonable pressure. We used a
pressure washer, never had any trouble. But, if it isn't necessary, don't
risk it.
>
> Now, your engine should be sparkling!
>
> Before you dry it, if you are like me and get silly, unreasonable joy from
clean car parts, spray all the hoses and black plastic lightly with some
armour-all or tire-dressing. Take it easy because too much will hasten dirt
attraction later but a little will keep it even cleaner.
>
> Now dry everything as well as you can without, again, pulling any hoses
off.
>
> DON'T FORGET to remove the towels and plastic bags. Yeah, that makes for
a mess. The covered areas will be dirty, wipe them down with your damp,
slightly armour-all-moistened towel.
>
> I'm getting all flsuhed just thinking about it, I'll have to wash
Billy-bob this weekend. Have fun.
>
> Another tip: wash your vehicle in the rain. If it rains, throw on a swim
suit, grab your bucket full of hot water and your car soap, lather it up and
go inside. The rain will rinse the soap off and won't spot. Then you can
dress the tires and go pick up chicks.
>
> L8r
>
> Rusty
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 22:56:18 -0700
> From: Al Ferguson
> Subject: Cleaning the engine bay...
>
> Hi All,
> Just got my new (to me) '89 Syncro camper. the first
> thing I want to do is clean the heck out of it. it
> isn't in bad shape but hey, detail it from the start,
> right!
> Anyway - question about cleaning the engine bay.
> This engine is really coated with road grime and dust.
> yes, I know if I clean it, it will get dirty again
> but. I gotta do it.
> The local car wash has a engine cleaner setting. it
> sprays some degreaser, then you're supposed to wash
> the out side of the car while the engine soaks, then
> spray the engine bay with low pressure water to rinse
> off the gunk. I use it on my other cars (Toyota and
> Subaru) just fine every spring but anyone offer any
> warnings or cautions (I know ~ use LOW pressure).
> Anything, like vulnerable wiring/connections/computers
> that I should avoid? Their location in the engine
> bay.?
> Alternate method to clean the engine bay?
> Thanks,
> Al
>
>
>
> Rusty_Zarse___..._.
> HPCInteractive :
> rzarse@yahoo.com :
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