Under the hood detailig

[pugmire]

I would like to clean things up under the hood. It is pretty bad under there. Anyone have suggestions? Is it a bad idea to take a hose to it? What about cleaning the grease and grime off of the engine (can I use run-of-the-mill engine-degreaser, or something else)?

[PUREPWR]

I just use soapy water. It seems to work good. I dont really let grease build up, so I dont know what to tell ya. And dont ever use a hose on it. You dont want to get the battery or any other electrical things wet.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Yep..water works fine for me too. If grease is really caked on, you can use engine degreaser in that area. I would never use a hose..then again I have a non-vented opti!

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Some Simple Green works well along with some brushes & rags. Just run the water over it, don't spray it.

[pugmire]

The same is true for the rest of the compartment (i.e. stuff not physically on the engine)? I should be able to wash everything with water on a brush or rag, in other words there is nothing in there that cannot get wet at all?

Thanks guys!

[00 Ragtop Z]

well, I have commented before. The Ragtop is a 2000, so Opti is not an issue. I have used the srpay at the local car wash to clean the engine bay since the day I bought the car--never a single problem in 59,000 miles. Use your own judgement, but I wouold not hesitate to spray it.

[PhantomZ28]

Watter + Engine = misfires
light watter is fine but dont use a garden hose or anytthing like that. i was dumb and presure washed the engine bad idea took a week for the opti to dry out

[fastTa]

I also used the car wash pressure sprayer wand to clean my motor when my 97 WS6 was a street vehicle. I even drove it through the Laser Wash which had the high pressure under-carriage spray at least once a week. Never had one single problem with the opti with 71,000 on it ......... Luck? Maybe.

[TraceZ]

I always use degreaser with the high pressure sprayer on all my cars. Never had a problem. I try not to spray the opti directly. This is my 3rd LT1 car.

I follow up with a coating in silicone tire foam and buff with a rag. It makes it look like new. Stay away from the belt with the foam.

[Dave M]

The 97 WS6 I just bought was bad under the hood. Hadn't been cleaned in all of it's 7 years. I just filled a bucket with warm water and a dishwashing soap made to cut grease on dishes then scrubbed by hand with a small sponge. Takes a little longer but that way you can be sure you're not getting water where you don't want it, and it works. You can wax any painted surfaces, use a rubber/plastic treantment on hoses and plastic pieces, etc... Looks like new.