Weather permitting, I'd like to clean up my engine bay this weekend. My plan is to (1) cover the battery and coil (?), (2) use simple green, (3) attack with toothbrush and rags, (4) rinse (lightly) with garden hose, (5) run engine (hope it starts!) to dry. Might also set up a box fan to dry it before starting. I think I saw that some people use armor-all on the rubber pieces & wires? I'll probably try that, too. Any other advise to offer?

Here are the two areas under the hood that I'm planning to cover with plastic bags:



I'm a little worried about this, but as you can see, it needs to be done.

Dude that looks like poo. j/k

409 and a white rag. spray and wipe until rag is black. then start over with another clean rag and repeat. no need to hit it with a garden hose. Armor All is good for rubber/vinyl.

If you have corrosion(white powdery stuff) on your battery terminals get a can of coke, open it, take two drinks, spin around once in place, chant "obi-dam-nachi" and pour the coke on the terminal. white stuff will disapear. then again hit with 409. That's an old indian trick. Of course the old indian that taught me that use to drive around with his car wrapped in cellyphane (sp?) so it would not get dirty, so take it for what it's worth. (true story.)

lemon pledge for anything chrome/shiny. also helps repel dust later.

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Before spraying the Green, start the engine and let it warm up some. Not completely to operating temp, but warm to the touch. This helps breaks the grime off a lot better.

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06 Blue EVO 9

Im not sure if you have any, but my engine sure did...but if you have any brown nasty rust looking deposit on any of the parts down below use some standard rust stop. It will help the rust from spreading and will turn it black making it look a million times better. I did that with a paint brush, cleaned the engine with some engine cleaner and 409 and she looks good as new...well almost.

Heres the most recent picture I have. The engine bay hasnt been cleaned it quite awhile...but it still looks pretty clean.

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I think you have a good plan. You want to cover your coils, but I wouldn't worry about the battery. I've cleaned many engine bays before, the battery doesn't need any cover. I also like to use tinfoil to cover stuff. Its easy to bend the tinfoil to cover the parts. If you had an open element air filter, I'd recommend covering that too.

I've never used simple green, but a lot of people swear by it. I usually use the engine degreaser that comes in the aerasol cans. Tire black stuff works good on the plastic parts in the engine bay too.

have fun,
Curt

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Great tip on the tinfoil, thanks! [newb moment ahead] The coils I want to cover are just what I have circled above, right? Where the line of six plugs/terminals are?

3000gtwis2, I'd be thrilled with results like that. Very nice.

Yep, those are the coils.

I noticed Aaron doesn't disconnect his battery either when washing the motor. I don't know, that kinda bothers me. Seems like begging for a short to happen.

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06 Blue EVO 9