Engine bay cleaning

**Richard2** · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 10:39 PM

While I've got the engine out of the red car, I want to clean the engine bay. I'd like to tow it to the self car wash and pressure wash it off. The washing part is easy, getting it there is a problem. The engine is out, so the axles are still in the car. I'd rather not have them flopping all around while I tow it. It looks like removing the axles isn't a particularly enjoyable job. Has anyone done anything creative when towing a 164 with the engine removed?

**elite38868** · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 10:46 PM

Richard, you're better off buying or renting a cheap pressure washer. Even the small ones will strip the paint off your engine bay...

Towing it doesn't seem economically feasible.

jontg428 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 12:30 AM

Lots of rags and some carb or brake cleaner for me, though the brake cleaner likes to eat the plastic and rubber bits. I am not a big fan of spraying water onto an engine, too much risk for a check engine light to go off

**elite38868** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 01:25 AM

Jon, Richard said his engine was out of the car like mine

**Richard2** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 07:01 AM

Yes, the engine is out of the car. I'm rebuilding it. It's the engine BAY that needs cleaning; however, for over 10 years I cleaned the engine in the black car by taking it to the self car wash, with very few problems. Now the silver 164B is a different story. I tried it once and it wouldn't run right for 4 days.

**Alfisto Steve** · #6 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 02:51 PM

Richard do it at home. Spray engine bay down first with Gunk aerosol spray cans and rubadub with a stiff parts brush and then pressure wash residue off.

I still have my JAX mildew killer 2600psi pressure washer I got at Lowes in Mandarin and believe me it was a good investment then and now.

**Richard2** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 05:26 PM

There's a 3500psi washer here at the Chateau, so I guess the best bet is to pull it out of the green house and do it here.

**Gubi** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jontg428

Lots of rags and some carb or brake cleaner for me, though the brake cleaner likes to eat the plastic and rubber bits.

jol · #9 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 06:01 PM

You could use cable ties to hang the driveshafts (done the same in my 33), but a rental washer won't cost much.

jontg428 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 06:59 PM

I should have been more clear, brake cleaner on the metal bits, not painted of coarse!

zagato^1600 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 02:37 AM

hallo!
i alway use silicon remover (used in spray shops before painting the car.)
these fluid is harmless to all parts incl. paint and rubber etc.
I have made me some years a go a metall pan, that I put under the car ,(engine bay) and with an brush i rub down all gunk. after that I put wd 40 on all metall parts icl. paint .
Greetings from an austrian alfa collector
zagato^1600

john.harrill · #12 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 10:33 AM

If Science ever links Gunk Engine-Brite or Gumout carb cleaner to long-term health problems, I'm completely screwed.

**cfishkin** · #13 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 09:07 PM

Not meaning to steal this thread, but what is the easiest way to clean the engine. The only thing I do regularly is wipe the intake runners with a paper towel. The rest of the bay hasn't been done since I've owned the car.

**Richard2** · #14 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 10:11 PM

The "easiest" way is to take it to the 25 cent car wash and spray it off. Whether it will start after that is up for grabs.