[turnipgreen]

I like to keep my engine about as clean as the rest of the car. Up until recently I was cleaning my engine after every oil change, using the Engine Brite stuff you can find anywhere. But, I've been banned from using it by my wife, who complains of the odor you get during the first short period after I clean the engine (even after I rinse good, douse with soapy water, rinse again, etc). The smell is there, no doubt.

Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for engine cleaners that don't produce the smell. I'm looking for something reasonably available and cheap, waaay short of getting a pressure washer and degreaser that can be used with them.

 

[groupset]

I just go to a DIY car wash, pop about $1.50 worth of quarters in, and spray it with their high-pressure equipment. I use "rinse" setting only; no soap, no Engine Brite, nothing else. Been doing this for years on every vehicle I own, never had a problem. I've had mechanics comment about clean my engines are. (Are you spraying your engine off inside the house or making your wife live in the garage?

)

 

[sinbad]

I just use "Now" or "Formula 409" or other household cleaner, followed by a spray from the regular garden hose with your standard variable spray attachment. If it is so greasy as to require an organic solvent like engine cleaner, then you have a gasket problem.

 

[hachiroku]

With all my cars, I clean them weekly from day 1. Just a wipe down,every nook and cranny.Never really used any engine cleaners.
My way works perfectly.Keeps them clean just like new.

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-ROB-
'01 GG LX "Lagreat"(with lotsa stuff.S-T-U-F-F)

http://community.webshots.com/album/18601743AkjQIJiKqK

 

[Jerry O1]

I, too, no longer wet clean my engine. I do as Rob does and clean often, using a large paintbrush first to rid the nooks and crannies of dust, then I use a damp rag on the rest. I know, y'all have been cleaning engines for years without trouble, as I used to do. In this era of electronics, I hesitate to hose everything down, especially with a lot of pressure, since, even with weatherpacks in place, condensation can happen inside a connector and cause corrosion and lotsa head scratching when a failure occurs. Just my feelings and I wish you "engine washers" the best of luck.

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

 

[RonD]

I'm with Jerry O on using high pressure water in the engine compartment. I had a 86 Vet that was in the garage over a week and only fixed when a factory repair team came to the dealership. After they replaced nearly everything on the engine, a new TPS finally fixed it.

 

[Jim F]

With my SE-R, I use Motul Moto Wash, a kitchen drinking glass cleaner (sponge on a stick), and lotsa elbow grease. The initial cleaning took me 8 hours. Now it takes me about 3 hours to get it show ready.

You can find Motul's Moto Wash at a local motorcycle shop. I get mine at a Honda shop. It's mild and doesn't harm the paint. I use it on the Ody as well.

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Jim
'01 GG EX w/stuff
'93 Nissan Sentra SE-R with more stuff

 

[TrickedOdyssey]

I soap and wash the engine bay and engine everytime I was the van....just soapy rag and hose...I have NO buildup and anykind under the hood.


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Owner:
1991 Honda Civic SiR: B16A DOHC VTEC powered visit at: http://turbocivic.8m.com
2000 Honda Odyssey LX: Wings West body kit, H&R springs, visit at: http://trickedodyssey.8m.com
1991 Honda Civic Basemodel: Bolt on mods, winter car, visit at: http://trickedodyssey.8m.com/91civicbase.html

Any questions related to honda and your ODY? just email me! [email protected]

Need speed? Need a Tricked Odyssey? www.pri-racing.comhttp://www.pri-racing.com[/b]

 

[Yardman43]

I find that a weak mix of Simple Green does a great job on a moderately dirty engine bay. I rinse with a garden hose. I've used it on several cars without issue.

 

[fcatwo]

This topic has brought out the most diverse opinions I've seen on OC. Like some of the other guys, I once put my only car out of commission for several days by washing the engine.

That was the last engine I washed until the day before I sold my last pickup a few months back. Even then I ran it to get it hot and then did a minimal wash job. It had gone 10 years and 127K miles without the engine being washed.

IMHO, they put hoods and inside fenders on cars to keep water off whatever they have stuffed under there. I just wipe the most visible engine parts off when I wash the outside and drive it.

Works for me.

Frank