scotyp

Hi everyone,

Posted this in the car care section but posts seem to get more viewing here:

Newbie Porsche guy here...
I would like to start making the engine bay on my 82' coupe look a little cleaner. I've been reading about this in detail on other cars (Acura, etc )but can someone tell me about what precautions should be taken on this 3.0 engine bay when it is detailed? What to cover, what cleaners they use and general tricks and tips etc . All comments would be appreciated! Thanks.

Scot

dave morris

If you cover the distributor and other electronics with a plastic bag you'll be OK. I spray on Simple Green ... wait some ... and then carefully/prudently rinse it off with water. Self spray car wash. I do the top of the engine area once maybe twice a year and the bottom more often. Gunk works well if the bottom side is really dirty/oily.

edgarcia737

Simple Green and water. I use a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water, then rinse with water. I use a paint brush, tooth brush or rag. keep away from the electronics and expensive stuff.

Brett San Diego

I used primarily Simple Green with various brushes, then Oil-flow Safety Solvent for more stubborn oily grime deposits. To rinse down, I have always just used the hose with moderate spray from a pistol-grip sprayer (never full on, just partially pulled so you get a nice firm spray). I have put a lot of water over this engine without any precautions taken to cover anything and have not yet had a problem. Perhaps, I have just been lucky so far, but that has been my experience.

Here are the results:


Brett

dshepp806

...keep it simple!!!!!!!

theiceman

my engine doesn't look as good as Brett's but i spray degunk on it .. spray the crapola out of it and it always fires right up .....

whalebird

Wow...check out the smog pump.

scotyp

Brett, Nice engine bay! I now have something to strive for! thanks for the suggestions all...sounds like the trick is covering all the electrics, use low water pressure and taking your time!
Good thing I just bought a gallon of Simple Green!

Scot

rusnak

I would use different approaches for the top of the engine (engine bay) vs. the bottom side. On the top side, I use regular car wash soap, the same that I use on the paint. Make sure the engine is cold, and do not use high pressure water. You can use a pressure washer if you are able to turn the pressure way down, and don't spray anywhere you don't want water to go.

On the bottom side I use a good degreaser such as Purple Power, but be sure to thoroughly wash it off because acid will etch aluminum, and don't spray rubber or plastic with it. Rubber and plastic get treated with Wurth Rubber Care.

Ed Hughes

Yikes, my engine isn't that clean and its only "2 years old"!!

Amber Gramps

I use a thick blanket and a shed when not in use and go really fast when it is in use so it just never gets dirty....

Ed Hughes

Well, it's not like mine is trashed......I just went out and snapped these as evidence:

Ed Hughes

Oh, Simple Green is my elixer of choice as well.

Amber Gramps

I just realized (while at Olive Garden) that the pictures I posted are from like 2 years ago. She's had a bath since then and looks much better now...

Oh, and Ed....I don't think this was a Carrera thread. I think it was an SC thread.