Best way to clean engine bay interior?

[CZSteve]

What's the best way to clean oil / gunk in the engine bay of a 1996 GTX?
- Spray w/ engine cleaner / degreaser and gently hose down w/ nose up to drain out the back?
- What do I need to cover or be cautious of to avoid damage?

Thanks,
SA

 

[racerxxx]

I use Castrol Super Clean, a spray bottle to apply it and a round brush to scrub the stubborn spots. Other guys will break out the pressure washer. Don't get it on the gelcoat or wash it off right away. The trick is to just apply it full strength and just keep working it until it's clean, THEN hose it out.

Check out my XP thread and my HX thread you can see the before and afters.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

I got a 4000psi pressure washer so I soak it down with superclean, let it sit for 5 mins, spray a little more, then pressure washer.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I use Castrol Super Clean, a spray bottle to apply it and a round brush to scrub the stubborn spots. Other guys will break out the pressure washer. Don't get it on the gelcoat or wash it off right away. The trick is to just apply it full strength and just keep working it until it's clean, THEN hose it out.

Check out my XP thread and my HX thread you can see the before and afters.

this is pretty much my method, but I do have a nice 1300 electric washer for this purpose, which i'll use to just shove it down in some of the hard to reach area's behind the waterbox, exhaust hoses, etc... if the engine is out the scrub brush is prolly better.

if you have AM flame arrestors, just stick a quart sized baggie over them.

the issue with the pressure washer is that the engine bay fills up faster than it can drain, so I really like to use my wet vac, and i'll spray, wet vac out a bunch (while tipped of course) then spray a stubborn spot or brush it, then suck out the muck again. IMO the wet vac allows me to do a better job faster, so if you can borrow one from a friend for an hour, you'll be happy you did, just remember to clean it out when your done otherwise you'll be returning a greasy wet vac.
(found my wet vac on CL for $10) and now that I have one, I use it ALL the time !

superclean is a little better than purple power, but essentially the same stuff, either works IMO, but super clean is about 10% stronger.

ps... the cleaner has a lot of other household purposes, stains on ceramic tile for example, works wonders !!! its like 409 on steroids.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I agree with the others but the 96 GTX won't drain all the way even tipped up. Too many little pockets, I use a shop vac also like Spim does.
Super clean does a better job.

some people put about 4-7 gallons of hot water in the hull add the cleaner than drive around on the trailer for a few miles to slosh it all up.....I've never done that so I can't say if it works...some swear by it....some swear at it

 

[RFoster130]

I use Castrol Super Clean, a spray bottle to apply it and a round brush to scrub the stubborn spots. Other guys will break out the pressure washer. Don't get it on the gelcoat or wash it off right away. The trick is to just apply it full strength and just keep working it until it's clean, THEN hose it out.

Check out my XP thread and my HX thread you can see the before and afters.

Almost exactly what i do. If you notice super clean is the common factor here. That stuff is the bomb...dont let it sit on a painted surface though..ive seen it eat paint on cars.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

fire up the engine when you are all done, so anything you got into it will be cooked off.