I hear sometimes that spraying down the engine may not be safe.  My engine could use a good cleaning.  Here's how it looks now:



I need new plugs and wires anyway, so if I were to cover the K&N, then spray down the whole area before the tuneup would that be better.  I think the problem people have is water getting into the boots and around the coils.  I'm really nervous about spraying a bunch of water into the engine compartment.  Or is it better to just wipe it down with a rag.

Make sure your motor is cold, cover your filter and your alternator, Simple Green the living piss out of the entire engine bay, let it sit, spray on some more if needed, and then rinse it off (avoid direct jets of water, use a nice nozzle that lightly sprays the water)
I've done that to a 97 GTP, my Lumina, my Cutlass, and the TGP with no problems. Just make sure you cover up those 2 things and you'll be set.

I agree with luke.  Cover those up and you'll be good.  I have sprayed down my motor a couple of times already.  Just don't use high pressure.  Plus having a clean motor is always a good thing.

Go to DIY car wash and use the soap only and a warm engine. :lol:  Done it many many times and never had any problems. In fact I just did it yesterday. They also have grease traps to handle the crap. Much better than dumping it on your driveway.

Jud

I know a lot of people don't like the stuff but I love GUNK engine degreaser.  I've used it a couple times now with no problems what so ever.  Simple Green can't even come close to how clean GUNK can get an engine (I've used both).  The only thing with GUNK is that you have to be extra careful.  Do the things talked about above plus be very careful to avoid electrical connections.  Mist is OK but no direct shots.  I used it on a old Toyota Trecel I had a few years back that I bought as a beater car.  The engine was straight nasty with years of oil leak buildup and the GUNK made it look practically brand new.

Yeah I agree the Simple Green has not been very effective for me; it did not wash away any oil/grime/grease, is there a trick to make it work?  I would like to try the GUNK but sometimes I have seen if you wash away too much oil you expose completely bare iron/metal that will rust in less than a day...   I think careful use of the GUNK is perhaps my next step.

Really? That's the first I've heard of Simple Green not working.
The 97 GTP I cleaned looked almost like Greg's engine does in the picture above. After I drenched it in SG, let it sit, and then rinsed it off, it looked almost like a new engine.  Guess it doesn't work for everyone..

Maybe I didn't let it sit long enough.  How long is sufficient?

My Fellow TGP's simple green and gunk work ok but the trick is to USE SUPER CLEAN!! that stuff works wonder mist your engine spray superclean and if you have a power washer set it not so hard and wala you got a damn brand new engine. Also if your interested on how to make the car shine HIT me up its a secrete method i use on all cars i sell

I use Castrol Super Clean also. I've had better results with it than anything else.

Yes! that stuff works wonders it almost like eats itself into the metal parts and cleans it awsome but if you guys use it just presoak/mist your engine and the sides of the fenders inside it kind of dulls the paint up if its direct contact w/ no water or nething. It could be compouneded out but its a hassle

I used purple power on the cutty last weekend (just what I had lying around)  It didn't do a bad job, but my first choice is Simple Green.  I've never used it on a car, but everything else works wonders.

Okay before we all destroy are mint condition TGPs try to realize the damaging effects of base chemical sprays. always use a mist of warm vinegar water solution to remove all traces of residue and to clean wheels too.Then rinse with water.
For cleaning badly caked on grease, like on your starter, splash it with a big gulp of dr pepper and wipe it off with a rag. You would be supprised, how clean it will get.