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06-15-2006, 03:52 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Hillsborough, NJ
Posts: 3,200
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Cleaning the Engine Bay
Is there any real science to cleaning the bay? Or is it as simple as attaching some cleaning solution to a hose and spraying away? I'm sure some strong solvent is not a good idea, however I dread the idea of having to climb in there and scrub by hand.
What do I need to cover / protect / wrap up? I have a third gen TA with a 305 TBI with the standard air cleaner so no open elements. Everything else is attached and sealed.
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I USED TO HAVE an 85 Camaro 305 4bbl, 90 Firebird V6, 97 Firebird V6 (10 speakers!). Despite the two family vehicles, 3 kids, wife and mortgage, I can finally realize the dream - 88 TA almost all stock... for now.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/untameddave
Wanted this -  , but ended up with this -  for free. Can't argue with free.
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06-15-2006, 03:59 PM
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#2
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Co-Founder / Site Admin
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ewing, NJ
Posts: 22,473
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Cover the distributor, alternator, and battery. Make sure that the aircleaner to carb seal is good.
Simple Green works very well, just don't go too crazy with the hose.
Make sure you leave plenty of time for it to try before doing anything else....
- Justin
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1999 Camry - Beigemobile DD
2002 Suburban - Wife's DD
2004 Grand Cherokee - Not running / Project / Selling?
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06-15-2006, 04:05 PM
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#3
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11 second club / Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: West Berlin, NJ
Posts: 7,148
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i used ZEP orange citrus cleaner/degreaser from home depot with a scrub brush. The engine bay changed color..... 
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2001 Trans Am WS6 •SLP Loudmouth II •UMI Suspension •12.857 @ 109.57
1996 Trans Am WS6 •Pacesetter Longtubes •Strange 12 Bolt •Spohn Suspension •11.152 @ 123.85
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06-15-2006, 07:11 PM
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#4
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MIR
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,692
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im never washing my engine bay.
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06-15-2006, 10:46 PM
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#5
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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Castrol Super clean & a hose.
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Vent Windows Forever!
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Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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06-15-2006, 10:54 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Hillsborough, NJ
Posts: 2,630
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Simple Green, some elbow grease, and a powerwasher will do a decent job. A good steam cleaning will do an even better job.
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--==RPM Resto & Custom==--
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Chevy High Performance - Readers Rides 4/03
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SkinAndSteel.com
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06-15-2006, 11:00 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: roxbury nj 07876
Posts: 151
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walmart degreaser blue and black can $.97cents spray it on hose it off . i detail this **** works use whole can another if nessessary one should do. ive done 13 cars with this stuff not 1 problem. spray it let it sit for 5 min hose off. ive even used it on new cars. it works.
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warning surgeon general says nothing about smoking a ford!!!!
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06-16-2006, 07:58 AM
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#8
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Central, NJ
Posts: 714
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I use Orange Blast Degreaser, and it works great with very little scrubbing. I'll take it for a drive to dry it when I'm done, then use a wet/dry vac to get rid of any water that may be left standing.
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06-16-2006, 08:02 AM
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#9
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Hillsborough, NJ
Posts: 3,200
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Ok cool, thanks guys. I have two bottles of simple green already so I guess I'll stick with that. Hosing it off sounds so much easier than grabbing a handful of small rags and wiping everything out of there. Doesnt look like any of the previous owners ever cleaned the bay so 17 years worth of leaves and road grime all built up and tucked away under things.
__________________
I USED TO HAVE an 85 Camaro 305 4bbl, 90 Firebird V6, 97 Firebird V6 (10 speakers!). Despite the two family vehicles, 3 kids, wife and mortgage, I can finally realize the dream - 88 TA almost all stock... for now.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/untameddave
Wanted this - , but ended up with this - for free. Can't argue with free.
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06-21-2006, 10:20 AM
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#10
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Gibbstown, NJ
Posts: 426
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I clean under my hood once a week, only takes me 10 mins tops. Keep on top of it and it never builds up 
__________________
2000 Trans Am WS6 - CAMMED & SLAMMED sitting on 18 Z06 wheels.
362 RWHP / 358RWTQ
2007 Trailblazer SS - 1 baby seat 
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06-21-2006, 12:07 PM
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#11
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colonia, NJ
Posts: 205
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i did my car a few weeks ago and used, GUNK foamy engine brite not the gunk degreaser. my engine bay came out extremely clean and all i didn was run the hose lightl over it to rinse it off, then used some CD2 engine detailer spray to shine it all up, it came out lookin brand new
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06-22-2006, 09:49 PM
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#12
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12 Second Club
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oradell
Posts: 8,368
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i use grease lightning degreaser and my little steam cleaner, came out alright but i dont have time or interest in it anymore, it was soooo clean before my car sat outside of a year straight untouched, i just do the outside
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86 Camaro
88 Camaro
95 Impala SS
97 Trans Am WS6
98 Blazer ZR2
00 Corvette
04 CTS-V
07 Sublime Charger Daytona
10 Tahoe SSV
12 Tahoe LT
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06-24-2006, 11:51 PM
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#13
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15 Second Club
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vineland
Posts: 6,621
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im prolly gonna do this when i get my new bird. hopefully this one wont be caked with salt residue like the one i just had was  what would i need to cover up?? ive heard that 4th gens are almost completely watertight, correct?
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