Engine Washing ?
 

Ironically, the interior and exterior of the Dangermobile has always been kept in concours condition, but the engine bay looks like crap. I'd like to get away from the "if I can't see it who cares" mentality. With that said, I'm looking for a good way to get it nice and clean without causing any electrical or mechanical problems. Any advice ?

WD-40 and a shop towel for large amounts of dusty engine plastic. Sounds like redneck detailing but works surprisingly well, and beats the expensive stuff on the shelf. Homeboy981 showed me that one, and it is safe for plastics. Just spray some on the towel and it wipes off the dust effortlessly.

Would the WD40 not leaves greasy residue that would get it dirty fast afterward?

Where does the hose and degreaser come in ?

I did this shortly after I bought the car. I carefully hand wiped and cleaned the entire top of the motor and all the tubing and hoses.... One week later I opened the motor cover to show a friend my concours workmanship and it was back to a filthy freekin mess. What gives, I just cleaned this??? Then I learned about Boxster airflow and how it picks up air from under the car, cools the trans and oil cooler and goes out the passenger side vent. Every time I drive down a dusty street or pull off the road it buries my engine in dust. I'm now over it. :o

Degreaser and a rag can get things pretty clean. Sometimes coupled with a spray bottle of hot water. I use simple green, but it's probably too strong for the dangermobile's innards, and people talk about how it corrodes stuff (with equal numbers saying it doesn't.) 303 aerospace protectant on the plastic bits will give them new life and keep them looking good. If you don't have some of this stuff for in-general care of your car, get some. It's really amazing.

Regarding this particular engine being dirty due to its design and placement, I don't know. Just based on my experience from other cars. No need to get it wet to get it clean. Just be prepared to get grease all the way up your arms. You'll feel better about knowing what got what on where, rather than using water. Oh, and keep it off your paint, obviously.

I use the Simple green on mine as well (or Orange Solve Ind. Cleaner - for days where you need that added citrus smell :D ).... spray it on and then rinse it off with just the hose (hot water works best)... on the areas where there is heavy oil you might need a brush and do it a couple of times... (I used to use Castrol CleanAll - it works really good but really dries out plastic parts). When its all done I usually spray some Silicon spray on all the wiring and hoses for a little added protection. Just make sure you use a silicon spray that dries... otherwise you'll turn it into a magnet for dust. I've been doing that once a year to my BMW and the engine compartment as well and it stays looking like new (even though it gets driven all year round).

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I've had good results with "Simple Green Extreme" as that formulation does not corrode or etch anything, whether metal, aluminum or plastic.

Regards, Maurice.

Simple green & a brush did this but if you leave uncoated aluminum parts soaking in it the AL will turn brown.


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What are the keys areas to cover when spraying with water ?

When my AOS failed I had a mess everywhere, I first used a standard engine degreaser (spray can), rinsed with water and then used simply green, rinsed again and ended up with a great results.

I think it's important to rinse with Low Pressure water..

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electrical connections & Interior

The only process for you is Cryo-Detail

Oh yeah that is awesome! I had that done to the last engine I sent to LN for sleeves. It works great but hard to find anyone with the equipment.

Like Walt Disney ?

No man.... Austin Powers...yeeeeah!

Dry ice blasting .
Expensive though .....

I was last quoted 4k to do the underside of the boxster as this is what they charged last time on a Jensen .
Not a chance... I'll strip it and clean everything in the bathtub before I pay that :D

4K???

Outrageous!

I pay $100 per hour to a guy down in San Diego.

Dry Ice blasting is popular at shipyards for barnacle removal

You can get your own machine for about $12,000

Yeah I thought it was outrageous too !!
I never replied after that .

I would definitely be interested in contact details for the guy in sd .....

We will be down there soon for the SoCal euro meet :)