1st "True" Engine Detail

[CEE DOG]

Hey Guys, I've done some detail work on certain parts of old engines before with a hose. I keep up on Sky's entire engine very well but never using a hose on her. It's always ONR.

I've been a bit a-feared of doing a full engine detail with a hose and it really felt great to get it behind me. All I wrapped was the alternator.
So hear is my first full engine cleaning. Short on words, heavy on pictures.
The victim... errr patient was a 1999 Saturn SL1. I could have done better with some more time invested but I had a whole lot of other work planned for after the engine was done. As such I am happy with how it came out.

Products used:
Amazing Roll Off
EZ Detail Brush - New toy (came just in time!!)
Shop Rag

303 Aerospace Protectant
Foam Applicator


1 Before

1 After

1 After Closeup

1 After Closer-up

2 Before

2 After

3 Before

3 After

4 Before

4 After

5 Before

5 After

6 Before

6 After

6 After Close up

7 Before

7 After

7 Before Close Up 2

7 After Close Up

8 Before

8 After

9 Before

9 After

10 Before

10 After

11 Before

11 After

Thanks for looking!

 

[Vjeszczi]

That looks great! Did you cover anything up before you started? I am also leery of attempting an engine detail for fear I get something damp/wet I am not supposed to.

 

[CEE DOG]

That looks great! Did you cover anything up before you started? I am also leery of attempting an engine detail for fear I get something damp/wet I am not supposed to.

I covered the alternator only (with aluminum foil). I was careful about spraying the water up into the wiring bundles. After I was done I turned the engine on and closed the hood for about 15 minutes to evaporate the water.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, I mentioned using a shop rag but actually only used it on the underside of the hood. The EZ detail brush did all the work you see there. Hoses would have some out better If I'd use the shop rag on them.

Probably took 15-20 minutes to clean and 5 minutes to 303 it.

 

[cnfowler]

...Did you cover anything up before you started? ...

It's like a bunch of kids that only want to look at the pictures.

...All I wrapped was the alternator...

Colin

 

[cnfowler]

Very nice work, CEE DOG. I love engine details because it is where the most dramatic difference is made.

Colin

 

[mchess1]

Nice Work Corey

 

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

Great job Corey.

 

[TheGLL]

WOW big difference. Good job!
One day I will do it on my car...I'm scared to tried!

 

[CEE DOG]

It's like a bunch of kids that only want to look at the pictures.
Colin

LOL, I get that a lot when I do a review. Don't blame some people on those as they do get a bit wordy. Thats why I have the Pros, Cons, and Summary in the reviews. I know some people want me to "shut my mouth with my bla bla bla". :laughing:

Nice Work Corey

Thanks Jon

Great job Corey.

Thanks Dana

WOW big difference. Good job!

One day I will do it on my car...I'm scared to tried!

Thank you Guillaume, can't wait to see some pics when you do!

 

[TheGLL]

Thank you Guillaume, can't wait to see some pics when you do!

Well I'm trying right now to create a thread with cool pictures after a quick wash and wax but I always get an error message. The forum is broken!! hehe

 

[kb2ehj]

That looks great! Did you cover anything up before you started? I am also leery of attempting an engine detail for fear I get something damp/wet I am not supposed to.

You did read the text ????

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Excellent job, Corey.

I've done a few engine details. I used optimum power clean un-diluted and a pressure washer, that's it, no scrubbing at all!. Two of the engines were dirty like the one you did. I sprayed the engine bay liberally with OPC, did *no* scrubbing, and rinsed with a pressure washer. Then, I took a leaf blower to the engine, let dry, and sprayed Duragloss #265. This process has worked like a charm everytime.

Did you find yourself scrubbing a lot?

 

[kb2ehj]

Not really sure why people are leary about cleaning engines.
Anything that could be damaged by water is sealed. Do we have problems when it rains? go through puddles?

 

[Double Dizzle]

Not really sure why people are leary about cleaning engines.
Anything that could be damaged by water is sealed. Do we have problems when it rains? go through puddles?

Does it ever rain directly on an engine bay? I have done a couple engine jobs but I am still apprehensive each time....especially when it's a customer who I have never met before.

 

[kb2ehj]

there is enough water that gets up into the engine compartment either through the bottom or vents. It doesn't need to be direct. One drop is all it takes with electricity.

If water was a problem, manufactures would seal the entire compartment some how.

 

[CEE DOG]

Rain doesn't force water directly into certain areas like a hose or pressure washer does. In general water isn't an issue. The majority of the engine has seen worse but depending on the make, model, and year you can certainly end up with more or less sensitive places. A bunch of wires taped up with a plastic sleave around them will be safe from the rain but if you force water up into that sleeve there is a possibility that a couple inches up in there you hit a bare wire node.

 

[Vjeszczi]

You did read the text ????

Sorry I skipped to the pretty before and after pictures. Sorry to make you have to repeat yourself CEE DOG

 

[CEE DOG]

Sorry I skipped to the pretty before and after pictures. Sorry to make you have to repeat yourself CEE DOG

No prob buddy! Any time :dblthumb2:

Excellent job, Corey.

I've done a few engine details. I used optimum power clean un-diluted and a pressure washer, that's it, no scrubbing at all!. Two of the engines were dirty like the one you did. I sprayed the engine bay liberally with OPC, did *no* scrubbing, and rinsed with a pressure washer. Then, I took a leaf blower to the engine, let dry, and sprayed Duragloss #265. This process has worked like a charm everytime.

Did you find yourself scrubbing a lot?

Thank you Mark! thanks for the info as well. I considered blowing it dry with the air compressor but thought I might blow some water into places I don't want it. Probably paranoia.

No, I wouldn't call it scrubbing. I wet the engine with a mist of water from the hose. Sprayed ARO. Waited a few minute (like 3 probably). Placed the EZ detail brush in there and just dragged it back and forth a few times around each item. Then Rinsed. Turned on engine for a bit. Turned off engine and allowed to cool while I finished the interior and finished washing other car. Came back with the 303 wipedown.

Edit: Oh yeah, brush was nasty. I let it sit on the driveway for a couple minutes with ARO sprayed over it. rubbed it with my gloved hand and rinsed it. Good as new.

 

[sgtmillhouse648]

Looks great! I love detailing engine bays! I clean mine about every chance I get!

If you come across exposed metal like the letters or the intake manifold which have oxidized (or slightly pitted in the letters' case), you can actually sand them with 1000 grit followed by a 2000 grit wetsand and a quick buff to shine them right back up!

 

[Meghan]

Very nice, it really makes a big difference when the car is all shiny and you open the hood and the engine is beaming too! Corey you did a great job as always.