Cleaning engine compartment

[bigd652]

My Z has been sitting for awhile and now I'm starting to get her back into shape... The engine needs a bath and I was wondering the best way to do so without getting water where it doesn't belong......

[2ManyZs]

The only thing you really need to cover is the air filters or the end of the air cleaner (depending on which type of filter set-up you have) and then you can wash all you want.

When you are done washing, take the distributor cap off and spray the inside with a little WD-40, take each plug wire loose(one at a time) and spray it in the top of the cap, and if you have to, do the same at the plugs. No matter how you try to keep it out of the distributor cap, it always seems to get wet, unless you take all the wires off that is, but then you better remember how they go back in order...:cross-eye

[bigd652]

What would work to clean the engine up??

[2ManyZs]

I use Simple Green. It's bio-degradable and safe to use on paint.

If the pre-mixed bottle you buy at Wal-Mart or wherever isn't strong enough, go get a gallon or whatever size you can find and use it straight. It does a pretty good job on the grease, maybe not as good as some commercial spray engine cleaners, but they normally caution against getting it on the paint as it will discolor it or worse, remove it....

If it doesn't get it all off the first time, do it again and maybe scrub it a little with a soft brush for the really grungy stuff....

You can use this stuff to clean carpets, seats, tires, nearly anything on a car if it is mixed properly..and it doesn't stink too bad...

[MikeW]

Most of the coin-operated do-it-yourself car washes have an "engine cleaner" mode. I used to wash my 240 a lot that way (15+ years ago, anyhow). I was always careful around the distributor and never had a problem.

My engine is actually pretty clean right now. See the pictures I took of it this morning in my gallery. <g>

[DatsunZGuy]

A couple of weeks ago, I had a mobile detail service stop by the house and professionally steam clean my 72 Z. I parked the car next to the curb in front of the house, put the car up on jacks and removed the wheels. The guy spent about an hour and a half cleaning the engine compartment and undercarriage. I was amazed to find the original yellow paint marking the bolts, as well as various undercarriage markings from the factory. I spent $200.00 for the cleaning, but it will make from a much cleaner experience pulling out the engine, replacing suspension bushings and repainting the components under the car.

[mperdue]

Hey I like that idea DatsunZGuy! I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on it - maybe I can get my neighbor to let me borrow his power washer. I'm just now ready to strip and rustproof the underside of my floors. There's quite a bit of junk 0- Im either going to sandblast it all off or wash it with a water hose.

Michael

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by mperdue

Im either going to sandblast it all off or wash it with a water hose.Michael

Power wash it off first, then sandblast what you find underneath.

If neighbor won't lend it, rent one for half a day!