cleaned my engine

[viVid]

Dip it!

 

[pingdum]

Use Armor-all Ultra clean on the hoses to get them looking good.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

I'll vouch for those Mr. Clean AutoDry that you see in damn near every store nowadays. I haven't hand dried my car since I got the thing. It dries spot free every time for me!

so these things really do work? no chami(sp) needed? it just dries with no spots on its own

 

[RaiderMS3]

so these things really do work? no chami(sp) needed? it just dries with no spots on its own

Yup! I got it as a gift, thought it was a joke. Then I used it a few times. I only dry the glass with paper towels, the rest just goes away. Pretty cool, and it saves a lot of water (for those who have to pay a water bill).

 

[mogi]

yeah, it runs the water through a filter that supposedly deionizes it as well, which prevents water spotting

 

[RaiderMS3]

I did not care for the "trial size" soap and filters it came with, I needed to buy more after the 2nd wash. But Publix even sells the soap and filters, and they are pretty cheap. Well worth it.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

omg i will have to get one of these. im puttin it on the list of wedding gifts i want

 

[mogi]

s***, how much soap/water are you using? the trial soap I got was like a full bottle, and I've washed at least 10 cars with it, bottle is just about gone.

still on the original filter without any problems

 

[SlowPro98]

I just picked up an auto dry this weekend, washed both cars, and for the most part, it did work. I did end up with streaks tho. there was water left in small gaps (roof rack on the p5, door trim on the ES, gas door on both) and there were small lines of dried-ness, but I just wiped them down with a rag. I also shinned up the tires.

I was going to do the engine bay, but one of my fellow NEPOC, protege52003, had posted a story about how he got water in something and had issues. (eek2) it made me think twice about it. I think what I'll do is put simple green on the block and hand wipe it, then rinse it off with a mister bottle instead of the garden hose. I'm going to clean all the hoses with armor all wipes, and I'll clean and spraypaint the plastics (fusebox, intake cover, snorkel, etc)

 

[GNO]

I'm surprized no one has mentioned it, so let me be the first. . . don't use Simple Green on the Intake and Valve Cover. It pits and discolors aluminium.

Very nice job with the engine cleaning. I always hate it when someone brings me a car to work on and the engine bay is filthy.

 

[Protege52003]

have to paint my valve-cover. nice easy job.......

 

[RaiderMS3]

I'm surprized no one has mentioned it, so let me be the first. . . don't use Simple Green on the Intake and Valve Cover. It pits and discolors aluminium.

I have used simple green for years on my engines, especially my P5, and have no pitting or discoloration problems. Where did you read that it pits metal?

 

[GNO]

I have used simple green for years on my engines, especially my P5, and have no pitting or discoloration problems. Where did you read that it pits metal?

I've read it here and have also noticed it on my valve cover. I too have been using Simple Green for years, it wasn't until recently in my Protege5 that I found the valve cover in need of some sort of coating. Perhaps it is also in combination with the type of salt used on the roads here.

 

[RaiderMS3]

I've read it here and have also noticed it on my valve cover. I too have been using Simple Green for years, it wasn't until recently in my Protege5 that I found the valve cover in need of some sort of coating. Perhaps it is also in combination with the type of salt used on the roads here.

I did a search, did not find anything here about Simple Green other than how well it works. I would think that the salt and chemicals sprayed onto the roads may have more of a chance of damaging a valve cover than an environmentally friendly biodegradable cleanser.

I have used Simple Green for years at full strength without a problem. Might be something else you have used, or the road salt.

 

[323CiP5]

does anyone know how to get rid of the discolouration? i've cleaned my valve cover and tried brushing it but still no luck

 

[Shane5425]

aluminum polish..

 

[323CiP5]

any one in particular?

 

[Shane5425]

i use mothers mag and aluminum polish , small red and white can..

 

[GNO]

I did a search, did not find anything here about Simple Green other than how well it works. I would think that the salt and chemicals sprayed onto the roads may have more of a chance of damaging a valve cover than an environmentally friendly biodegradable cleanser.

I have used Simple Green for years at full strength without a problem. Might be something else you have used, or the road salt.

Okay, I'll take you're word for it. Maybe it wasn't on this forum. However, after doing a web search I did find something to support my initial statement.(dance)

http://www.simplegreen.co.uk/q_a.php.htm
From the Simple Green Consumer FAQ:

Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green on aluminum?
Simple Green products have been successfully and safely used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: Aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green or Crystal Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times of All-Purpose Simple Green and Crystal Simple Green with unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green/Crystal Simple Green residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.

 

[Mr. Win]

to bad the auto dry strips wax...