Clean Motor?

[speed6r]

whats the best way to clean your motor?

[Super Shredder]

simple green

[BoostedSpd6]

(iagree) simple green FTW...

[Killer]

what they said.

[MazdaSpeeder]

Do you guys use the standard simple green or the automotive cleaner/degreaser?

[BoostedSpd6]

i used both..

[Zimmer]

I was just thinking of cleaning my bay as well. there's a bunch of different products...

[bazooka joe]

I was just thinking of cleaning my bay as well. there's a bunch of different products...
we can do it on the 25th!!

[subspeed6]

I know of a place that steam cleans engine bays... This is NOT a pressure washer type thing.

[Zimmer]

we can do it on the 25th!!

man u guys are gonna have me hard at work! I like it

[bazooka joe]

I know of a place that steam cleans engine bays... This is NOT a pressure washer type thing.
where, on the base or somewhere in the sorry state of ct?(scratch)

[MX5RACER]

Please don't use simple green to clean the engine in your. It works well, a little too well, simple green is not good use on aluminum, and seeing as there is a large amount of aluminum in our engine compartment, it might not be a good idea to use it.

[BoostedSpd6]

Please don't use simple green to clean the engine in your. It works well, a little too well, simple green is not good use on aluminum, and seeing as there is a large amount of aluminum in our engine compartment, it might not be a good idea to use it.


y? most shops use simple green degreaser when cleaning motors or steam clean them.. its metal...its ok.its not going to eat through the block..

[ThrillRide]

All you need over here. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123682524

[OJ Bartley]

I've read a lot about people using Simple Green, but the product even warns not to let it sit on aluminum for long. Most people spray it on (I'm sure a diluted 3:1 solution would work well, and be potentially less damaging), leave it for maybe 5 mins, and then gently spray off - no power washers. Just use the hose with no nozzle, or if you have a gentle setting on the nozzle for watering plants. I haven't done mine yet, but I will when it gets a little nicer out.

I also read that Extreme Simple Green is better suited and less damaging to plastics and rubbers than the standard stuff: Extreme Simple Green (http://buy.simplegreen.com/product.php?productid=16142)

[MazdaSpeeder]

I believe the automotive simple green is supposed to be formulated for aluminum, plastic and rubber...

[Super Shredder]

i use a simple green dipped rag, and a wet undipped rag. it dont get less complicated than that. i dont touch the intercooler (shroud only), or block. the gunk in and around there is what prevents your car from blowing up.

[NCZ13]

i use a simple green dipped rag, and a wet undipped rag. it dont get less complicated than that. i dont touch the intercooler (shroud only), or block. the gunk in and around there is what prevents your car from blowing up.

what?

[Super Shredder]

its a mechanic's secret law, that if you want to keep your car running forever, dont clean the grease around the actual block, or head, because its really what keeps the engine together.

[gnd]

Here's what I do for engine detailing.

Mazda content.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123737034

Audi content.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123738418

[Killer]

its a mechanic's secret law, that if you want to keep your car running forever, dont clean the grease around the actual block, or head, because its really what keeps the engine together.

Must be a BIG SECRET. (lol2)

[ThrillRide]

Must be a BIG SECRET. (lol2)

LoL I second that.

As for the automotive formula of SG it is supposed to be ok for aluminium. I'd keep the regular forumla out.

Do yourself a big favor and get p21s total auto wash.

[BlackCherry06]

Listen to the voice of experience: Don't let water pool in the coilpack trench in the valve cover. 2 coilpacks later, I discovered that it doesn't drain. Wash around the valve cover if you can.

[ThrillRide]

Listen to the voice of experience: Don't let water pool in the coilpack trench in the valve cover. 2 coilpacks later, I discovered that it doesn't drain. Wash around the valve cover if you can.

Excellent advice. One reason it is always a good idea to cover up the delicate stuff before you begin.

For more such info come check out the Sticky for How-to info: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123682524

[BoostedSpd6]

Listen to the voice of experience: Don't let water pool in the coilpack trench in the valve cover. 2 coilpacks later, I discovered that it doesn't drain. Wash around the valve cover if you can.


i used a tooth brush to get in there and taped up all the coil packs before hand..just in case

[Super Shredder]

killer, you got a big mouth, are you compensating? you trash talk more than any person on here yet someone made you a moderator? if you have nothing to offer, dont speak. please. you've been ridin me since i joined this forum. i'm just not like that, girl.

[speed6r]

killer, you got a big mouth, are you compensating? you trash talk more than any person on here yet someone made you a moderator? if you have nothing to offer, dont speak. please. you've been ridin me since i joined this forum. i'm just not like that, girl.

Amen brother!

[MShreve]

Do yourself a big favor and get p21s total auto wash.

Is that something you could find at any local auto store? Or would that be a special order kinda thing?

You guys have me wanting to detail under the hood now. lol
As if keeping the damn wheels clean of brake dust wasn't already a full time job.

[Qwik6]

Usually I would use a damp cloth with some diluted cleaning solution on it. Never spray water into the engine bay. I usually detail every part of my car once a week. Engine bay still looks as good as the day I bought it. :)

[Parad0x01]

Looks like I'm going to be picking up some simple green. Going to clean my engine bay tomorrow after I change my oil.

[BoostedSpd6]

killer, you got a big mouth, are you compensating? you trash talk more than any person on here yet someone made you a moderator? if you have nothing to offer, dont speak. please. you've been ridin me since i joined this forum. i'm just not like that, girl.


hahaha thats awesome.. (2thumbs)

[tunersteve]

I usually wipe down with a damp cloth to get the dirt out, then hit it with some protectant on the black plastic to keep it looking fresh. It's pretty clean for as much as I drive.

[ThrillRide]

Is that something you could find at any local auto store? Or would that be a special order kinda thing?

You guys have me wanting to detail under the hood now. lol
As if keeping the damn wheels clean of brake dust wasn't already a full time job.

You'd have to order p21s, however s100 is the exact same product and is cheaper in most cases. It is marketed to motorcycle guys. So if you have a Harley Davidson store near you, you can pick it up there. Total Cycle Wash rather then TAW. The wheel gel is also amazing.

[OJ Bartley]

i use a simple green dipped rag, and a wet undipped rag. it dont get less complicated than that.

This was the process I started with, and in fact I took it one step closer to paranoia...

1) use a dry rag to swipe off all junky deposits, obvious clumps, etc. swap rag as needed, and most painted areas will come clean just with this.

2) on plastic surfaces, use the simple green rag (or spray directly on, covering overspray with a rag), let sit for a minute, and wipe off.

3) tidy up with the plain wet rag, or one with some regular car soap, and then dry.

4) apply 303 protectant to hoses, plastics, etc.

I haven't finished yet, but when I do I'll post pics. A can of compressed air and a toothbrush/Q-tips do help to get the crud out of the little cracks.

[OJ Bartley]

OK, here are some before and afters. I didn't do as thoroughly as I could have, and there are still a few spots I want to clean up better, and plastics to hit again with back to black, but overall MUCH better.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7315/springcleaning001.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9248/springcleaning060.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3459/springcleaning003.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1957/springcleaning062.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7171/springcleaning005.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1610/springcleaning064.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3106/springcleaning004.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4559/springcleaning069.jpg

That's got a week or two of driving since the initial big clean, and I gave it a 30 second wipedown before taking those pics tonight with a dry cloth.

[bazooka joe]

+1 for a clean bay!!:)

[Super Shredder]

looks great, but two days later in NJ and its back to grey.