I love my CTD and would like to make the engine bay spic and span again. What is the best way to go about this without damaging anything. I am reluctant to spray water in there with the zillions of electrical connections.

 

Good question, and how 'water proof' is the ECM?

 

i sprayed my engine down with water from the high pressure wand at the carwash, just dident pull the handle to spray high pressure, used low pressure only.

id get a can of gunk engine bright, put it on, and use the low pressure of the wand and not wory about anything.

 

don't use the full pressure and keep it away from the ECM and other electronics and you will be fine

 

If you really want spic and span use S-100 motorcycle cleaner usually available at your local Harley shop!

Best degreaser and multi purpose cleaner that I've ever used bar none! No high pressure needed!

Rick

 

I may have to try that
Thanks Rick

 

I second s 100, or Simple Green and a before and after hosing. Nothing to harsh like serious degreasers. After the engine has dried I spray the metal parts with silicon.

 

I have not done my CTD yet, but with trucks in the past I would use simple green or the castrol stuff (diluted ) and after all was cleaned I would use compressed air and a special air nozzle to "Power dry" most everything. Worked great.

 

I use a product called Davies DC-99 This stuff works unreal and its about 12 bucks a gallon undiluted.It goes a long way and I use it for other stuff as well.

 

What about steam?

 

when i used to do my gas engins id leave them running, and if i went ofer a sopt or connection that dident like the water the truck would eather cough or spit and sputter, sometimes die and i would know next time to stay away from that sopt

 

I have cleaned more engines and cars than I can think of and by far the best stuff is Castrol Superclean. Comes in a gallon jug like antifreeze. Use it 100% in a squirt bottle on a dry warm engine. let it soak in for about 4-5 minutes and hot pressure wash it off. Let the wifey use it as a multipurpose cleaner (cut down a bit) in the house. This stuff is great! Be carefull not to put it on exterior body paint as it may streak. I would always wet the exterior fenders before applying it to the engine bay.

 

I've had good results with Simple Green (undiluted). Let it soak for a few minutes and wash it off using low pressure spray (avoiding electrical components), then I go over everything with compressed air, start the engine and let it run to warm up and finish drying things.

A caution on the Castrol stuff (unless they changed it)...it is very caustic and will dull anything made of aluminum (ask me how I know).

 

Thanks! Well I know what I will be doing next Saturday. I have used in past and discovered the hard way about the Castrol Stuff. Didn't read the directions carefully and used it on the Aluminum swingarm of my Yamaha FJ1200. Yep no more grease, but took a lot of work with rubbing compound to get the finish back to normal. I will use Simple Green next time.