Rep Power: 0

Anyone know what vital parts need to be covered/protected before steam cleaning the engine bay?
Is the computer in the engine bay?
Thx.

 
Rep Power: 303

The intake if you have one and the computer is inside of the car.

 
Rep Power: 0

Is your engine covered in oil and grime or just road dirt? If its just road grime use something like Simple Green and a garden hose because high pressure washers could lodge more dirt and/or water in the sensors and electrical connector. Steam cleaning, if its to hot, also might damage some connector covers or sensors, possibly melting them.

I wouldn't use a pressure washer/steam cleaner on any newer car because of all the computer components.

 
Rep Power: 0

your alternator and battery conections of course

 
Rep Power: 0

battery and that computer box, above the battery

 
Rep Power: 394

I washed my engine last summer. I just covered the stock intake, so no water would get in. Otherwise I had no problems, just some Simple Green and a hose. No pressure washer, or steam.

 
Rep Power: 0

i had a 94 prelude and i pressure washed it and my car wouldnt start for a minute or so.

 
Rep Power: 0

Just make sure you leave the car running when you do this, or you will encounter the no start as posted above. Agree 100% no High Pressure cleaning. Just simple green, or that new orange cleaner and a water hose works very well. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 0

By computer you mean ECU? I thought that was behind the glove compartment (which is of course inside your car).

 
Rep Power: 0

I have been pressure washing my engine bays for 10 years. All you need to do is cover the distributor ( we don't have one) and the main fuse box in the engine bay (if you want too). Just don't be spraying the heck out of the fuse box and any areas where the pressure could do harm.

I have also pressure washed cars that I have bought at auctions and never had a problem.

Just use a little common sense when you are washing the engine. Also, remember that the degreaser is going to get blasted all over the paint of the car.

BTW, I have a 3500psi/4gpm washer.

 
Rep Power: 347

What is simple green[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG] is it like a citrus cleaner or is it something special for cars?

 
Rep Power: 0

Good Question
i was lookin at my engine bay the other day and ths snow has it lookin like Shat!!

Simple Green is a regular spray cleaner you can pick up at a autopart store or maybe supermarket.
i guess it's a good degreaser since people are comparing it to Orange Glo but i haven't used it personally
i use Windex or an All Purpose cleaner

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for all the responses...
I've been cleaning/detailing engine bays for years as well, so I know about the typical stuff. On my Jeep and Mustang, I only cover the battery, distributor and main wiring harnesses, then go to town w/a sprayer. I just wanted to see if there was anything special about the Civics since I'm not that familiar with them yet. It is new and a daily driver, so it's only got New England winter dirt that has accumulated over the last month...nothing heavy but it makes the engine bay look like crap. Should be able to clean it with just the sprayer at the local car wash.

Thanks again.

 
Rep Power: 412

I would just worry about the battery and maybe the alternator and ECU. the best way to do it is to spray simple green on, let that sit for about 10 min, then spray it all off. Repeat if not satisfied. Idealy you should not drive your car for a about an hour or so afterwards so that everything can have a chance to dry and you should be doing this is warm, dry weather.

 
Rep Power: 374

Simple Green

 
Rep Power: 0

finally someone asked the question Ive always forgot to ask

 
Rep Power: 0

yeah simple green works good