# Cleaning engine / engine bay **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 14, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381 "2010-04-14T17:36:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blk99z28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@blk99z28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/blk99z28)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/1 "2010-04-14T17:36:44Z")
I’m getting the Z ready for summer and the engine bay and engine is kinda dirty. I need to clean it but don’t want to short, flood, ruin anything. What is the best way to clean the engine and engine bay? Is there any precautions I should take, areas to avoid. Any best practices would be appreciated, particular if they pertain to the Ellis Juan. ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/2 "2010-04-14T19:12:56Z")
well if u have an open element filter cover that up…some people say cover the coils…i never do and i soak my engine with degreaser and blast it with a pressure washer and never have had a problem…i usually leave it running when i do it…but thats me ---
**Author:** ![psychopjv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/psychopjv/32/7251_2.png) [@psychopjv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/psychopjv)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/3 "2010-04-14T19:37:36Z")
Spray it down with Black Magic engine degreaser. Let it soak for 5-10. Fire the car up then proceed to spray it off. Try to keep it away from the area under the throttle body as water has a tendency to pool in the valley cover and destroy the knock sensors. To combat this we use an electric leaf blower to blow the motor off after washing/ or shop air in my case. If you have some heavy areas use a soft brush to work the black magic in. ---
**Author:** ![Saxon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@Saxon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Saxon)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/4 "2010-04-15T13:46:14Z")
i like using engine bay degreaser from autozone, the kind that has lemon scent works really good lol then after its clean and blown off i spray with tire shine foam and wipe that off ---
**Author:** ![ubengineering](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ubengineering/32/5171_2.png) [@ubengineering](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ubengineering)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/5 "2010-04-15T14:13:23Z")
take pics of results ---
**Author:** ![RedGoober4Life](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/redgoober4life/32/7610_2.png) [@RedGoober4Life](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RedGoober4Life)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/6 "2010-04-15T15:24:26Z")
> [@psychopjv](#): > > Spray it down with Black Magic engine degreaser. Let it soak for 5-10. Fire the car up then proceed to spray it off. Try to keep it away from the area under the throttle body as water has a tendency to pool in the valley cover and destroy the knock sensors. To combat this we use an electric leaf blower to blow the motor off after washing/ or shop air in my case. If you have some heavy areas use a soft brush to work the black magic in. I’ve used this, assuming you mean the 2-in-1 degreaser and dressing that you spray on, agitate, and then rinse off. It did a good job and didn’t leave an annoying, sticky finish. I would say it’s good for moderately dirty engines that haven’t been cleaned in 2 years (depending on conditions), but a dedicated degreaser and dressing is probably better for really greasy engines. ---
**Author:** ![psychopjv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/psychopjv/32/7251_2.png) [@psychopjv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/psychopjv)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/7 "2010-04-15T17:57:23Z")
> [@RedGoober4Life](#): > > I’ve used this, assuming you mean the 2-in-1 degreaser and dressing that you spray on, agitate, and then rinse off. It did a good job and didn’t leave an annoying, sticky finish. I would say it’s good for moderately dirty engines that haven’t been cleaned in 2 years (depending on conditions), but a dedicated degreaser and dressing is probably better for really greasy engines. agreed. It does do a good job of leaving a nice shine. ---
**Author:** ![EVOLUTION\_VIII\_MR](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/evolution_viii_mr/32/5187_2.png) [@EVOLUTION\_VIII\_MR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EVOLUTION_VIII_MR)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/8 "2010-04-15T22:13:48Z")
i cover up my intake cone, spray the engine bay in simple green, let it soak for a min or two, start the car up, spray the engine bay down, while its still wet spray the engine bay with wd40 ---
**Author:** ![blk99z28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@blk99z28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/blk99z28)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/9 "2010-04-16T04:36:39Z")
Sounds good guys. Thanx for the tips. I’ll have to post up some pics when done. ---
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/10 "2010-04-16T04:41:12Z")
1. rinse lightly 2. soak in simple green spray, leave concentrated. 3. let sit a couple minutes 4. rinse lightly 5. go over everything with some quick detailer or armorall of your choice. ---
**Author:** ![Firehawk853](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/firehawk853/32/7607_2.png) [@Firehawk853](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Firehawk853)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/11 "2010-04-16T05:11:45Z")
> [@psychopjv](#): > > Spray it down with Black Magic engine degreaser. Let it soak for 5-10. Fire the car up then proceed to spray it off. Try to keep it away from the area under the throttle body as water has a tendency to pool in the valley cover and destroy the knock sensors. To combat this we use an electric leaf blower to blow the motor off after washing/ or shop air in my case. If you have some heavy areas use a soft brush to work the black magic in. I approve. This is also what I do 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Quattro\_Krant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ac91a4/32.png) [@Quattro\_Krant](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quattro_Krant)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 7:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/12 "2010-04-16T07:49:47Z")
I use that Foamy Engine Brite stuff in the can on all the cars I sell and it does a pretty good job. I like when the engine bay looks clean. I’m not a fan of that glazed look ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 9:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cleaning-engine-engine-bay/153381/13 "2010-04-16T09:13:36Z")
Shut car off warm, disconnect battery, spray liberally Simple Green or Purple Power, or another engine degreaser, let it set for a moment, then powerwash it clean. Wait a few minutes until mostly evaporated, then spray Meguiars Tire Dressing throughout (Can), wait a few more minutes, reconnect battery, and then done.