Tech Article: Brad's Engine Detail Secrets!

[D613]

Thanks brad! Ended up using the method on my car, and works great!!! Going to use this method on some of my friends dirtier engine bays!

[HwyMonsteR 2JZ]

WTF! That one before and after pic.! Going from Oh..sorry my hood won't open to LOOK AT THIS! Thanks for the tips!!

[89t]

I don't use aerosol products or simple green but I think mine cleaned up pretty good. Nice write up!
engine_before_after.JPG

[Team 40]

Great method with nice end result!

[dima126]

Aren't you worried about water getting in the spark plug valley when you're rinsing off the engine bay? I use an almost exact method for plenty of engines, but always worried about the 2jz because I have heard horror stories about water being left in the spark plug valley and making the engine run like shit afterwards.

[Khanvict]

^+1... That happened to my na supra...motor sits on an angle and water got in the spark plug area , resulted in $$ to clean it out...i never washed an engine again! Lol

[TraumaB]

From what I have read, water only gets in the GE spark plug valley that easy... It happened to me and my car was not running right for two days, nothing a air compressor and the right blow nozzle can't take care of. My car is currently in a build stage so before we finish the NA-T setup I am going to use this detail process, thanks Brad.

[SilverAWD]

So tempted to try this...but so afraid I'm gonna fuck shit up on my new baby

[CrazyHorse26]

This thread is awesome!!!!!!!

[supra252]

best thread ever,thank you so much...i wash'd my N/A today,i just put a towel on the spark plugs and plastic bag on my filter and start cleaning,but i was really carefully coz of first time.the car is running perfect...but my problem is that 2 screws have loose from the back of the top of the engine and oil came out and didn't clean well from down and still make some smoke,i guess ill have to take it to a pro..

cheers
steve

[Red123]

Isn't it dangerous for engine to wash with water?

[89t]

No really dangerous...I own a detail shop and have cleaned engines on a daily basis for 15 years. On straight sixes you just need to not drench the spark plug galley because water will get under the seal and gather at the plug base. This will cause the car to miss. If you get water in there you can pull the plug wire and roll up a piece of news print to wick the moisture out or blow it with compressed air. Using the head of a shop vac as a blower will work as well. The only engines in my experience to have issues with cleaning are Volks Wagon's and GT 3000's. The main thing is to not run a wet engine in an effort to try to dry it out...alway's find the moisture and remove it. Here's my engine bay cleaned with all purpose and a pressure washer with a little dressing to set it off.

[1992Lexus]

Great write up. I have always used WD-40 after I use the air to dry it. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then dry off excess if any. This also displaces majority of the water in places it shouldn't have to begin with.