Engine Degreasers / Cleaners

Had to get some work done on my '99 996 at the body shop last week. When I picked the car up, not only had they detailed the interior, but they had also degreased and shined the entire engine compartment. It looks absolutely amazing! However, anybody have some thoughts on engine degreasers? Do they increase the risk of corrosion? Do they "clean" away anything they shouldn't, such as anti-corrosion coatings? Does a good engine cleaning do more harm than good? Thanks!

I used simple green to spray the engine compartment and a steady stream of water to rinse. It works great. Make sure you cover up the electrical parts when you do that.

I use Simple Green to clean the engine compartment every spring when I do the full Zaino detail. It does a very good job and shouldn't increase the risk of corrosion. Keeping the engine compartment clean is a breeze -- I just wipe the engine compartment down with a damp terry towel every other time I wash the car. Engine compartments don't really get a lot of dirt and stuff. You mentioned that your engine compartment is clean and shiny. "Clean" is good but I'm a bit worried about "shiny". Make sure they didn't use Armor All or other silicone based products since those can cause a lot of problems if it gets on the belts, etc. Here's a picture from last spring:

[QUOTE=programmatore]I use Simple Green to clean the engine compartment every spring when I do the full Zaino detail. I've been thinking about cleaning my engine compartment as well. What exactly do you do... do you sray the S/green over the entire engine and interior engine compartment and let it 'set' a bit? do you cover anything to prevent water from shorting electrical connections? clear water spray down? I'd appreciate any advice that you could give... Thx... Jim

Jim, two words of advice: Saran Wrap. To be on the safe side, put Saran Wrap around the intake and the electrical connections before you do anything. Also, make sure the oil dipstick is pushed in all the way. Hose down the engine compartment with a gentle stream of water (don't spray water too hard) to remove excess dirt, spray on the Simple Green, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then hose it down again to rinse off the Simple Green. I usually follow it up with a complete car wash to make sure the Simple Green is completely gone since it may have run off to the bumpers, etc. Just remember that the engine does get wet when it rains so as long as you Saran Wrap the intake and electrical connections, hosing it down with a gentle stream of water shouldn't be a problem. Keeping the engine compartment clean is very easy -- I just wipe it down with a wet terry towel every other time I wash the car. The engine compartment doesn't really get a lot of dirt.

Saran Wrap it is. Thx for the info... Jim

There is nothing like the smell of GUNK in the morning. Simple green is weak.

In the morning, in the afternoon, evening and all thru the next week as well!!

In addition to Programmatore's tips. You could also consider using a separate spray bottle with water instead of using a hose. And for drying consider using compressed air in addition to a towel.

I use a small garden sprayer with a bit of a water softener added to the water, no water spots. It's very easy to control where the water is going and how much. The trick is is not to let the engine get too dirty, every other washing seems to work. At a minimum I would cover the alternator. I use those thin plastic bowl covers with the elastic around the edges workes great to cover the alternator. Be careful with compressed air, it tends to blow water into places you'd rather not have it.

I'll copy a reply post I made to another thread here again regarding Simple Green; Be careful using Simple Green - especially if it gets on anything aluminum. If it is not rinsed, re-rinsed and thoroughly re-rinsed with clear water it can cause metal etching and corrosion. We airplane owners used to use it all the time until the Military discovered its detrimental effects on metals. They now have a special formula (I'm assuming a weaker solution) that is specially meant for aircraft (and is easier on the metal, especially aluminum). Make sure if you get it on aluminum parts you take extra precaution to rinse heavily.