well, i finally had time to pop open my hood and check the fluids and to my surpise...it was FILTHY! there was dust and dirt everywhere! i guess i havent looked under there for a long time! geez, didn't know an entire engine bay could get so much dirt in it with the hood closed the entire duration of me owning it. Im guessing that my intake filter is clogged beyond belief.

just wondering if anyone has had the same effect after not opening their hood for a while? how do you guys clean it? just spray it down with water?

 

Due to the engine cover, I don't think you'll need to totally rinse down your engine with water. Just clean it with some simple green and some rags.

If you really need to wash it down, make sure to cover your electrical relays and fuse boxes with plastic bags.

PS
A long time ago, you posted about a Powdercoating shop you knew. Can you PM me there info when you get a chance? thanks

 

And Don't forget to cover the intake

 

If you do choose to spray it with water, Like what bbug said cover all the relays and electronic components, i would use tinfoil and sandwich bags, when you rinse the engine down use the hose without the nozzle you want it to drip.

 

IMO, I would never wash an engine. There are just too many chances of water getting into an all weather connector and shorting out an electronic device and/or blowing a fuse.

About once a month, I wipe down my engine bay with some Quik Detailer and a rag. When done monthly, it only takes about 10 minutes to keep the engine bay sparkingly clean.

 

Simple Green and a quick wipe down will do just fine for these cars. if it was my Honda though I'd preasure wash it! There's too many wires that are hidden in the G to do this.

 

I would never take a hose to the inside of the bay. Just detail spray and a rag. When i had my honda and a swap. I just unplug the wiring move is all on top of the moter and and then it made it alot easier to clean the paint but like the above said theres alot goin on, in side a the G bay.

 

I clean it every Saturday.
Just take a moist rag to it and wipe down the surface. Easy and fast.

 

i take a hose to my motor all the time...heck i take to most any motor - including the other infinitis, lexus's, BMW's and MB's in the family. just dont take hoses to older vehicles when fuel injection was in its heyday and everything wasn't quite waterproofed (80's model year cars)


I mist the motor first - than load on simple green - than I mist the motor again.
dry with rag. cover the intake with tin foil if you have Cold air intake. Cover the battery if it does not have a cover (the G and nearly all high end cars do)


after everything is dry - I polish the timing cover a bit. after thats dun, I apply gloss to all the visible plastic.

I only need to do this after long road trips

 

I open my hood all the time. When I do I try to clean down everything.

 

I guess I no longer have to wonder about guys claiming "I heard this funny sound and when I took it to the dealer, there was like 0.0001 quart of oil left!"

 

rofl

 

Oh yeah...you can use water...just cover the electrical components and don't use the highest pressure possible. Just enough to get the topical stuff off before you spray on cleaner.

I start with Meguiars All-purpose cleaner from their detailing line and then finish with their Hyperdressing. Looks great and actually protects the hoses from drying out and cracking prematurely.

The great thing about the hyperdressing too is that it seems to repel dust...so your engine bay actually stays cleaner a little longer than usual.

Make sure to use only something with a light detergent in it though, like the All-purpose cleaner or Simple green...anything stronger and you could possibly destroy the finish inside the bay or something else.

Granted there are some safe degreasers out there...so you make the call. Anything else that won't come off...you might have to rent a steam cleaner...



Here are some links from meguiars...I recommend you take a look there and read in their specialized section on engine compartment detailing.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...&threadid=3159
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...ighlight=honda
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11887http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18842

 

hey thanks for all the help guys. i dont want to end up meeting you all at a meet or something then pop my hood and have the sahara desert pop out. haha... thanks again, everyone

 

Be careful with Simple Green because in an undiluted form, it can tarnish aluminum and give it a scaly whitish hue.