Does anyone have some good advice how to clean the engine. Is there any special cleaner to use and is it ok to spray the engine with water at a car wash. Just want to make sure i dont hurt the engine while cleaning it. Thanks for the help.

Only use a garden hose (no pressure washers or steam cleaners). The vast majority of dirt and grime will come off with just water but if you want more cleaning power, I use a general purpose degreaser like Simple Green. I spray it on and hose it right off. Stay away from all electronics with direct water stream and take the car for a drive to help dry it off.

I used castrol degreaser (white bottle with purple sticker). spray on hose off... did it twice to get everything. then i ran it for 10 min to let it dry off. then used the air gun to get the water out of areas where is settled.

here is before and after

before:
http://members.tccoa.com/jaybird/caddy/IMGA0038.jpg

after:
http://members.tccoa.com/jaybird/caddy/new/enginenear.jpg

holy shit, you washed the engine cover off! or was that dirt all along?! ;)

Originally posted by Chuck C
holy shit, you washed the engine cover off! or was that dirt all along?! ;)

:histeric:

Originally posted by Chuck C
holy shit, you washed the engine cover off! or was that dirt all along?! ;)

actually the cover got stuck on a we weeks ago when i was doing work... int he process of getting it off I bent 2 of the studs that hold it down so it wont go back on. Besides, i like how it looks better without it. The car actually runs cooler without it. there is too much foam padding on the back of it.

jay, i definitely want to take the cover off mine when i clean it next week. anything i should look out for when removing (special tools needed, unremovable items)? Also, did you use the castrol degreaser only?

Gunk FOAMY Engine cleaner is good. My preferance is simple green or brake cleaner for the caked on stuff that Gunk won;t take off.

all you need to take it off is a 13mm (i think) socket. and yeah, 2 applications of castrol degreaser, a hose, and some STP protectant for the big platics. I think you can only remove the laster plastic covers. if yours is the metal one, i dont think you can take it off

I heard that if you spray off an engine at a car wash you can crack the block unless it is running, is this true? Personally to be safer, I would use warm water, not cold from a garden hose!?