[basecorvette]

My 2001 has just hit the 5,000 mile mark and I have noticed that the engine is getting a little dirty. Any of you pros out there that dress up your engines have any tips on cleaning. I know there are a lot of electronics under the hood, and I was wondering if it is safe to get it wet? And if there are any degreasers that don’t eat away at belt, hoses and seals?

Also I have developed a bleach like stain on the carpet on the inside of the hood from the windshield washer fluid container. It seems like the fluid squirts out onto the carpet. The cap seals well. Anyone ever had a problem like this? I wonder if it is covered by GM warranty.

basecorvette

 

[Patrick]

I can get my engine looking MINT!

... because I wipe the engine off each time after I wash the car, so it never really gets bad.

... I use Orange Glow cleaner (but any MILD degreaser will do). Don't use harsh cleaners.

... get lots of q-tips, old toothbrushes.... and tooth picks. And, roll up my sleaves and get busy!

... I then use a high-gloss tire gel on the hoses, but I buff to a satin glow.

... If the shock area and lower/upper mounts are REALLY greasy, I'll use some Gunk Degreaser in an arosol (sp?) spray can. It's potent stuff, I wouldn't use it in the engine compartment.

 

[AlwaysWave]

carb cleaner, WD 40, and some rags. An occasional wipe down only takes a few minutes and saves you from doing the big chore.

 

[BubbleHead]

Some good tips here. My engine compartment is filthy due to it being a daily driver, year round.

I started on some cleaning last year so, I should probably get on it again and make it look all purty.

 

[Bob88]

Simple green, rags, old toothbrushes, q-tips, and a lot of elbow grease.

 

[The Torch]

Also I have developed a bleach like stain on the carpet on the inside of the hood from the windshield washer fluid container. It seems like the fluid squirts out onto the carpet. The cap seals well. Anyone ever had a problem like this? I wonder if it is covered by GM warranty.

basecorvette

This problem is common with C5s. It's coming out of the vent in teh cap. Try putting a "filter" under the cap. If you look around you can find some thick dense foam to cut a plug the size of the cap. This will slow the fluid down during sloshing

 

[stevenll]

Here's a process that has worked for others.
Engine Cleaning Proceedure courtesy of Mean Green


1. Spray down the engine compartment with the hose (I took off the fuel rail covers and made sure to get everything free of loose dirt and dust).
2. Then close the hood and start the car and let idle for about 5 minutes to warm it up and then shut it off.
3. Using Simple Green (Full Strength, no dillution), amply spritz everthing you want clean.
4. Close the hood and go drink a beer (or in my case, wash the Fuel Rail covers with hot water and Dawn and let dry).
5. Next spray out the engine compartment completely.
6. Spray Armour All or equiv over those same surfaces. Avoid the belts and wiring. Use alot on the fender covers and the radiator shroud.
7. Close the hood and go and Spray Armour All on the Fuel Rail covers.
8. Open the hood and reinstall the Fuel Rail covers and your done.
Won't take more that 20 minutes and your engine will look like it just came off of the showroom floor.

 

[T.M.]

aloha,
i cover the alternator really well with a plastic bag,simple green everything and light spray down the whole engine and everything else.then i use zaino #2 on everything,(use your favorite product)i dont like armor-all because it collects dust.i've done this at least 50 times.all the aluminium i polished so i use mothers on that.it stays clean for long periods too.good luck.

 

[basecorvette]

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

Torch Red 2K. I think you are right on with saying the washer fluid comes out of the vent. Sounds like the foam fix might just work. The bleach stain just makes me MAD!! Everything looks great on the car, and then there is the SPOT that just sticks out.

I called a local GM dealer and they have never heard of the washer fluid leaking on a C5. I don’t think they deal much with corvettes, so I’m going to have to call the Dealer where I bought it. They deal with vettes all the time and if it is common they could give me the warranty information I’m looking for.

Thanks again.
:thumbsup:

 

[T.M.]

Torch Red 2K is correct.i have heard of this many times also.for what its worth aloha.

 

[normvet80]

rubber hoses and all rubber trim look new again

Hello everybody !
A show car judge gave me a trick that I will give you.
for all rubber hose and all black plastic or trim he told me to use liquid shoe wax with the sponge on top ( Kiwi leather shoe polish ) i have try it and it is good.
and it keep's the rubber's flexible and no crack's.
I have done my hoses all weatherstrip and all plastic parts.

Normand
:thumbsup: :surprised

 

[T.M.]

intresting:thumbsup:

 

[RT66Z06]

Re: Re: Engine cleaning tips?????????

...Also I have developed a bleach like stain on the carpet on the inside of the hood from the windshield washer fluid container. It seems like the fluid squirts out onto the carpet. The cap seals well. Anyone ever had a problem like this? I wonder if it is covered by GM warranty.

basecorvette

This problem is common with C5s. It's coming out of the vent in teh cap. Try putting a "filter" under the cap. If you look around you can find some thick dense foam to cut a plug the size of the cap. This will slow the fluid down during sloshing

You're absolutely right and your solution is simple and ingenius. I simply didn't fill the windshield washer tank which ameliorated the problem but didn't eliminate it. I will apply your solution. The vent can't be blocked because that would prevent the entry of air to equalize pressure in the system when the pump draws fluid from the tank. The foam acts as an air-permeable barrier for the fluid going in the reverse direction.

This phenomenon is caused by hard acceleration. The engine (which is an air pump after all) sucks in a tremendous amount of air creating a low pressure area under the hood. The washer fluid gets sucked up from the vent hole in the cap, soaks the hood liner in a spot about twice the size of a silver dollar, and gets pulled out by the low pressure area at the base of the widshield and splashed onto the windshield.

The first time this happened, while jousting with a guy in a Ferrari 512 TR, I thought "Oh ****, I broke the engine just showing the flag" (I had a '91 ZR-1 which had an engine expire with about 3,000 miles on the odometer and which Chevy bought back from me and I was thinking "Not again!").

Thanks for the truly clever tip!:thumbsup:

Ray

 

[VetteTech81]

I know most will frown on this.. but I take mine to a do it yourself car wash.. and I pressure rinse the engine bay and then use there engine cleaner which is simple green and then I pressure rinse it again.. OH NO my opti might turn to ****.. LoL.. but I leave mine running and avoid the alternator.. I also clean my front suspension the same way.. then later I may use engine dressing.. it's funny because it's made for the engine bay but yet says that it is flamable.. just like tire dressing.... but the simple green seems to freshin up the rubber components..
-Rick