-PLAN- for my first engine bay cleaning
09-23-2005, 10:16 AM
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-PLAN- for my first engine bay cleaning
Below is my plan based on a compilation of data I've picked up from some posts. I don't want to embarass myself too much when I meet everyone at NEBF (Not to mention that I really have serious pride in my Bonneville even though she'* still stock at this point. This is bar none the best car I've ever owned).
Anyway, could you guys look this over and let me know what you think? Also, I want to remove the coil packs and battery before I do this. Battery I'm nto afraid to do, I've changed my battery a couple times in the middle of nowhere during a bad alternator/cabling phase in another car. The coil packs are beyond what I've safely done before so I'm a bit nervous.
The coil packs are those thingers that the wires are running to on the left front side of the engine bay that are numbered? I see 2 visible bolts on each pack for a total of 3 packs and six bolts. Is it as simple as just removing the wires and unscrewing those six bolts? If so, how do I clean those individually later? Also, if the alternator is so sensitive to direct water and is dirty, how do you clean it? Do you clean it?
1) Shopping list
CD2 Engine Detailer
Simple Green
Several Plastic Bags
Belt Dressing
A spay hose
Toothbrush(es)
Roll of shop towels
2) Towel and Bag the alternator and towel the maxifuse.
-drink beer-
3) Remove the coil packs and battery
-drink 2 beers from stress of removing something from the engine, say a prayer-
4) Spray engine degreaser EVERYWHERE, wait 15 minutes for absorbtion.
5) Scrub in all the fine areas with toothbrushes, up to whatever level of pain, beer intake I can handle.
6) Hose the puppy down.
7) Spray some more CD2 all over, wait another 15. Clean whatever spots didn't get the job done the last time.
Hose down again.
9) Remove the bag from the alternator and maxi-fuse and dry down as much as you can with the towels.
10) Respray the belts with belt dressing.
11) reinstall the battery.
12) Say many many prayers, and if possible drink more beer to numb the pain of potential failure. Reinstall the coils and wires.
13) Restart the car (YOU BETTER RESTART DAMNIT!) Drive around for 30 or so minutes to let the residual water evaporate.
Anyway, could you guys look this over and let me know what you think? Also, I want to remove the coil packs and battery before I do this. Battery I'm nto afraid to do, I've changed my battery a couple times in the middle of nowhere during a bad alternator/cabling phase in another car. The coil packs are beyond what I've safely done before so I'm a bit nervous.
The coil packs are those thingers that the wires are running to on the left front side of the engine bay that are numbered? I see 2 visible bolts on each pack for a total of 3 packs and six bolts. Is it as simple as just removing the wires and unscrewing those six bolts? If so, how do I clean those individually later? Also, if the alternator is so sensitive to direct water and is dirty, how do you clean it? Do you clean it?
1) Shopping list
CD2 Engine Detailer
Simple Green
Several Plastic Bags
Belt Dressing
A spay hose
Toothbrush(es)
Roll of shop towels
2) Towel and Bag the alternator and towel the maxifuse.
-drink beer-
3) Remove the coil packs and battery
-drink 2 beers from stress of removing something from the engine, say a prayer-
4) Spray engine degreaser EVERYWHERE, wait 15 minutes for absorbtion.
5) Scrub in all the fine areas with toothbrushes, up to whatever level of pain, beer intake I can handle.
6) Hose the puppy down.
7) Spray some more CD2 all over, wait another 15. Clean whatever spots didn't get the job done the last time.
Hose down again.9) Remove the bag from the alternator and maxi-fuse and dry down as much as you can with the towels.
10) Respray the belts with belt dressing.
11) reinstall the battery.
12) Say many many prayers, and if possible drink more beer to numb the pain of potential failure. Reinstall the coils and wires.
13) Restart the car (YOU BETTER RESTART DAMNIT!) Drive around for 30 or so minutes to let the residual water evaporate.
09-23-2005, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
Dude, I'm asking about my plan? Engine bay = dirty. I don't see how I deserve that?
09-23-2005, 11:57 AM
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It'* okay. I do the same thing sometimes :P. I updated the topic so that doesn't happen again.
2 things: Am I right about the location of the coil packs, and secondly, how did you clean your alternator?
2 things: Am I right about the location of the coil packs, and secondly, how did you clean your alternator?
09-23-2005, 12:05 PM
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see the thing is that i always clean the engine everytime that i wash the car....which is every week....so i really dont have to work too hard to keep it clean......
you dont have to take the Batt and the Coils off, and dont wirry about the Maxifuse center
you dont have to take the Batt and the Coils off, and dont wirry about the Maxifuse center
09-25-2005, 10:09 PM
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cleaning Engine bay
Yikes! Much too much, work.....
Go the easier route for the first cleaning.
Here is what I did..first time... last Sunday. And I had a filthy,
never before cleaned, engine & dirty bay.
1) Go to grocery store,
buy a product called "Greased Lightning"
Buy beer..... ratio of 3 beers to one "GL" ....or to taste
some plastic bags. (No, you won't be barfing) and some baking soda
(Arm & Hammer) for one..
2) Open hood, cover Alternator with plastic, and spray the contents of the
Greased Lightning on everything, till the bottle is empty.
3) Let sit for 20 minutes to a half hour while you "comsume mass quantities" ( the beer)
{sorry ... old SNL Conehead skit..}
4) Hose off, then remove plastic bag.
5) Start car and warm up. till dry. shut down. don't drive... you just had beers...
6) Use second bottle of GL to do touch up work with a small paintbrush. Wipe up with a wet rag rinsed often.
7) Mix 3 tsps baking soda in a glass of cold water, and brush it on your battery terminals, and tray. This will neutralize any previously spilled battery acid.
This should make your engine bay almost clean enough to eat from,
but you won't want to dirty it with food....after all that work.
total time expended, including consumption of beer..... one hour.
It won't hurt the paint, rubber stuff, wiring, Try it! You'll become a believer!
Go the easier route for the first cleaning.
Here is what I did..first time... last Sunday. And I had a filthy,
never before cleaned, engine & dirty bay.
1) Go to grocery store,
buy a product called "Greased Lightning"
Buy beer..... ratio of 3 beers to one "GL" ....or to taste
some plastic bags. (No, you won't be barfing) and some baking soda
(Arm & Hammer) for one..
2) Open hood, cover Alternator with plastic, and spray the contents of the
Greased Lightning on everything, till the bottle is empty.
3) Let sit for 20 minutes to a half hour while you "comsume mass quantities" ( the beer)
{sorry ... old SNL Conehead skit..}
4) Hose off, then remove plastic bag.
5) Start car and warm up. till dry. shut down. don't drive... you just had beers...
6) Use second bottle of GL to do touch up work with a small paintbrush. Wipe up with a wet rag rinsed often.
7) Mix 3 tsps baking soda in a glass of cold water, and brush it on your battery terminals, and tray. This will neutralize any previously spilled battery acid.
This should make your engine bay almost clean enough to eat from,
but you won't want to dirty it with food....after all that work.
total time expended, including consumption of beer..... one hour.
It won't hurt the paint, rubber stuff, wiring, Try it! You'll become a believer!
09-26-2005, 11:44 PM
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Re: cleaning Engine bay
Originally Posted by Charliebonn
Yikes! Much too much, work.....
Go the easier route for the first cleaning.
Here is what I did..first time... last Sunday. And I had a filthy,
never before cleaned, engine & dirty bay.
1) Go to grocery store,
buy a product called "Greased Lightning"
Buy beer..... ratio of 3 beers to one "GL" ....or to taste
some plastic bags. (No, you won't be barfing) and some baking soda
(Arm & Hammer) for one..
2) Open hood, cover Alternator with plastic, and spray the contents of the
Greased Lightning on everything, till the bottle is empty.
3) Let sit for 20 minutes to a half hour while you "comsume mass quantities" ( the beer)
{sorry ... old SNL Conehead skit..}
4) Hose off, then remove plastic bag.
5) Start car and warm up. till dry. shut down. don't drive... you just had beers...
6) Use second bottle of GL to do touch up work with a small paintbrush. Wipe up with a wet rag rinsed often.
7) Mix 3 tsps baking soda in a glass of cold water, and brush it on your battery terminals, and tray. This will neutralize any previously spilled battery acid.
This should make your engine bay almost clean enough to eat from,
but you won't want to dirty it with food....after all that work.
total time expended, including consumption of beer..... one hour.
It won't hurt the paint, rubber stuff, wiring, Try it! You'll become a believer!
Go the easier route for the first cleaning.
Here is what I did..first time... last Sunday. And I had a filthy,
never before cleaned, engine & dirty bay.
1) Go to grocery store,
buy a product called "Greased Lightning"
Buy beer..... ratio of 3 beers to one "GL" ....or to taste
some plastic bags. (No, you won't be barfing) and some baking soda
(Arm & Hammer) for one..
2) Open hood, cover Alternator with plastic, and spray the contents of the
Greased Lightning on everything, till the bottle is empty.
3) Let sit for 20 minutes to a half hour while you "comsume mass quantities" ( the beer)
{sorry ... old SNL Conehead skit..}
4) Hose off, then remove plastic bag.
5) Start car and warm up. till dry. shut down. don't drive... you just had beers...
6) Use second bottle of GL to do touch up work with a small paintbrush. Wipe up with a wet rag rinsed often.
7) Mix 3 tsps baking soda in a glass of cold water, and brush it on your battery terminals, and tray. This will neutralize any previously spilled battery acid.
This should make your engine bay almost clean enough to eat from,
but you won't want to dirty it with food....after all that work.
total time expended, including consumption of beer..... one hour.
It won't hurt the paint, rubber stuff, wiring, Try it! You'll become a believer!
Greased Lightning® BLAST™ High Performance Cleaner and Degreaser
Proven more effective than other leading brands on tough, grease-stained areas, our convenient spray on, hose off cleaner makes grease and grime disappear from your most difficult cleaning surfaces. Greased Lightning High Performance works great on tires, motors and tools, and can be used as a laundry pre-treat for dirty uniforms, clothes and towels.
http://www.glblast.com/products.html#Cleaner
09-27-2005, 09:27 AM
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Yup that'* the stuff!! works great!! same stuff i use... the original actually... i didnt know that they made all of those different types now for cars.... but it all works the same!!!! have fun!
