Friday, May 25, 2007
Cleaning Engine Compartment
Why
1. Looks better
2. Helps you to identify leaks; I found that my engine was not leaking oil so it saved me the task of changing the valve gasket and CAM O-ring.
3. Makes it easier to work on your car. I can actually see the timing markers on the crank now.
What you need.
1. Water hose or high pressure water washer
2. Air Compressor & Spray nozzle
3. Engine Cleaner Spray
4. Small Brushes & Tooth brush
Steps.
1. (Optional) Cover the electronic connectors, starter, and alternator with clear plastic wrap
2. Spray Engine Cleaner over Oil Stained surfaces such as the engine and wait 10 minutes
3. With a oil pan under the engine component, wash off the engine with high pressure spray
4. You should catch the run off and store it away to dispose of later.
5. Once the areas you spray with the Engine Cleaner is clean, you don't need the oil pan anymore
6. Spray the rest of the engine component from different angles
7. Use a small brush on some tough areas that are still dirty, especially around the engine where oil may leak or seep.
8. Use the air compressor to dry the engine component. A couple of minutes over the surface should be good enough.
9. Use the air compressor to dry electrical connections, the starter, the alternator, the air filter.
If water gets stuck in electrical connects for too long, it'll cost corrosion. Dirty water in the starter or alternator can cause a short and possibly fry one of these components. It's rare, but I know people that have fried theirs.
10. Let it sit and dry for a while, works best on a hot day.
11. The car should be fine to start.
An alternate method to steps 8+ is to make sure the starter and alternator stay dry by covering them. Then start the engine right away so the engine heat will evaporate the water. I tried this method, but found that this only dries certain areas that get really hot. Electrically connectors do not get hot enough and will remain wet. The car will start and run, but you can run into problems down the road. I covered all electrical connectors, but when I pull the wrapping off, I found some moisture still got into the connectors.
In a Miata, sometimes the spark plug covers are not totally water proof and washing with a high pressure washer will allow some water get into your engine. This will cause some temporary idling and starting problems.
When you use the Engine Cleaner, it's possible that your engine will have streaks or discolored areas. You can use the Engine Cleaner again or get an engine polish. I left mine looking a bit discolored since I'm not looking for show room condition.
1. Looks better
2. Helps you to identify leaks; I found that my engine was not leaking oil so it saved me the task of changing the valve gasket and CAM O-ring.
3. Makes it easier to work on your car. I can actually see the timing markers on the crank now.
What you need.
1. Water hose or high pressure water washer
2. Air Compressor & Spray nozzle
3. Engine Cleaner Spray
4. Small Brushes & Tooth brush
Steps.
1. (Optional) Cover the electronic connectors, starter, and alternator with clear plastic wrap
2. Spray Engine Cleaner over Oil Stained surfaces such as the engine and wait 10 minutes
3. With a oil pan under the engine component, wash off the engine with high pressure spray
4. You should catch the run off and store it away to dispose of later.
5. Once the areas you spray with the Engine Cleaner is clean, you don't need the oil pan anymore
6. Spray the rest of the engine component from different angles
7. Use a small brush on some tough areas that are still dirty, especially around the engine where oil may leak or seep.
8. Use the air compressor to dry the engine component. A couple of minutes over the surface should be good enough.
9. Use the air compressor to dry electrical connections, the starter, the alternator, the air filter.
If water gets stuck in electrical connects for too long, it'll cost corrosion. Dirty water in the starter or alternator can cause a short and possibly fry one of these components. It's rare, but I know people that have fried theirs.
10. Let it sit and dry for a while, works best on a hot day.
11. The car should be fine to start.
An alternate method to steps 8+ is to make sure the starter and alternator stay dry by covering them. Then start the engine right away so the engine heat will evaporate the water. I tried this method, but found that this only dries certain areas that get really hot. Electrically connectors do not get hot enough and will remain wet. The car will start and run, but you can run into problems down the road. I covered all electrical connectors, but when I pull the wrapping off, I found some moisture still got into the connectors.
In a Miata, sometimes the spark plug covers are not totally water proof and washing with a high pressure washer will allow some water get into your engine. This will cause some temporary idling and starting problems.
When you use the Engine Cleaner, it's possible that your engine will have streaks or discolored areas. You can use the Engine Cleaner again or get an engine polish. I left mine looking a bit discolored since I'm not looking for show room condition.
# posted by Mack @ 12:57 PM 
