Best way to clean engine

[OverrRyde]

Hey guys, small question

I just bought a 1990 Civic DX and the engine is somewhat dirty and id like to get it as clean as i can!

Anybody have any tips on what products to use or technics?

Thanks!

[turtlecrxsi]

Go to Walmart or a similar store you prefer. Go to cleaning products aisle and buy "Goo Gone" It's a cheap way to remove built up gunk on engine parts. It took some time but it did quite a nice job on my intake manifold (without removing it). You can always go to auto part store and spend two to three times as much for some engine cleaner though.

[89crx]

Simple green is awsome.Spray it on,let sit for a while, spray off.

[90civicracer]

Just don't put Simple Green on your hood. Josh (91lxdreamer) found that out the hard way, lol.

[BullShifter]

Steam cleaning is the best & safest way. Other than that you can use any degreaser or engine cleaner. Warm engine for 5 min max before cleaning.

Pressure washer is safer than garden hose "if" used correctly.

1. Clean under side of hood
2. Spray engine compartment with water
3. Spray cleaner, work in 4 section(do not allow cleaner to dry)
4. Scrub, rinse

You may need to do it a couple times. Don't spray water directly at electrical parts(alt, distrib, sensors, etc.)

After engine is cleaned & still wet spray some WATER BASED dressing over the entire compartment. Close hood & start/run engine until dry. Clean delicate parts with rag or brush. DO NOT USE TIRE DRESSING!!!! ITS SOLVENT THAT CAN/WILL START A FIRE. Plus solvent based is bad for rubber hoses, they will crack sooner.

[redturbo66]

steaming

[TheSilentChamber]

Take it all apart, bead blast the motor and engine bay, repaint everything and put it back together.

Accually I like SuperClean. Spray it and let it sit, use a brush to get the hard stuff .... pretty much what everyone else said.

[shaddr3]

go to Jims Air or your local equipment renting place. Rent a sand blaster and just blast any piece of dirt you see, it should most deffinitally clean it up.

[Cjz89civic]

After that heres a trick and it will make your engine bay look Like brand new. Go to your local auto parts store buy TURTLE WAX'S 2001 that green bottle and orange writing.

1. wet enige with a hose

2. spary a lot of the 2001 on the engine all over even on the battery and engine bay making sure you dont go over board and get it on your window and fenders (especially if you just washed the car)

3. close hood wait for about 2 hours

4. open hood and you will say "OMG it looks so good I could just sell this car on the engine bay alone" Really though it will look really good. It lasts for a long time too.

[shaddr3]

is there any places to be careful about though? your distributor and alternator right? what about your A/C if you have it?

[FourthGenHatch]

http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/engineclean.html

[Cjz89civic]

Ya dont go overboard if your dist has the seal your ok the alt is ok to get wet the a/c would be the only thing cause of the belt also the alt belt. But other than that it works great.

Never saw that link but ya like that. Works great.

[TheSilentChamber]

before and after dont look much differnt

[CZ-R]

I always use the Simple Green method myself. Once you get all the grease & dirt cleaned off, spray everything under the hood with any brand of "tire foam" you like/use. It'll make all your hoses, wiring, etc... shine like new!

[OverrRyde]

thanks for the replys guys! i think i want to go with the Simple Green solution, but i looked it up in canadian tire (i live in Montreal, Quebec) and they dont seem to have any...

Is there someone here from same region or near you knows where to get some? or maybe a substitute for it?

thanks!