Was wondering whats the best and safest way to wash an engine in the car. Want to degrees the engine in the miata but dont want to screw things up. I know its not a good or ethical idea to do it in the drive way so i know i should go to a self car wash. What products should i use for it and whats the preparation way for the wash? Thanks, T
You want to DEGREASE the engine safely??? Use an ENGINE degreaser from an auto parts store, and apply to a warm engine. Then rinse with a regular hose NOT a pressure washer. If it's not clean enough, do it again. Then please try to spell correctly.
And on another note, try not to directly spray engine harness' or other electrical components with high pressure. They are supposed to be water resistant or water proof, but are not meant to be directly blasted either!
great thanks. I am trying to figure out where exactly the oil is leaking, but its so greasy that i cant tell. So is it just a regular degreaser from auto parts store? What about that 420 or 490 thing?
Spray diluted simple green solution throughout entire engine bay. Spray/rinse with pressure washer I've done this many many times without ever having a problem, works great. Then keep hood open and car in sun to dry Finish detailing with armoral or similar plastic cleaner to plastic engine parts for a nice shine enjoy.
^This^ Simple green will do the job as well or better than engine degreaser. Take a couple spins around the block to get the engine warm, but not hot, first. Cover the alternator, distributor, coil or coil packs. Be cautious of any & all electronics. But skip the armorall. It will look good in the short term, but cause dust & dirt to stick to the parts you use it on and make things worse later.
Dont have to worry about an intercooler on the miata, it does not have one, lol. But yeah i got some simple green. Will it take some of the thick oil and gunk build up?
thats what the plan is. I got a good deal on some used konis and eibach(sp) springs, so that has to be put on first.
Did anyone mention a leaf blower to dry it a little quicker? thats what I use, works AWESOME, cuts down on the dry time fo sho.
lol I think he is trying to clean it so he can find the leak but you never know with tearas so yea..I could be wrong.
yeah, thanks for the kind words...NOT. Yes, I am trying to wash it to find where the leak is. It's not a terribly bad leak it's just leaking a few drops after it's parked for long time. I am pretty sure it's more of a coolant leak that washes the oil with it down to the ground. Shocks were cheap and mine are 20 years old and have over 120k on them and I got a full set of shocks and springs for 80 bucks. To fix the leak I will have to tear the engine apart and if I do that I might aswell do every seal and gasket. I will most likely just end up replacing the engine with a 1.8 or a newer 1.6 sometime this winter If a have time.
Not to be the biggest **** in the world, but... Your talking about resealing a whole engine or possibly replacing the motor with a newer one, and you don't even have the knowledge of how to degrease an engine? I know not everyone is mechanically inclined, but washing an engine is like washing dishes. You need some sort of soap (degreaser) and water. How hard can it be?
Well, you sure came around like a biggest **** in the world. I have never done it before. Everyone starts somewhere. I have never done a Timing belt on a car too, but was able to do it in a couple hours and the car runs great. Its all in practice. I am sure i will be able to swap an engine, it will take me a long time and i may make mistakes, but who does not make mistakes.
