| steadystud |
Would anyone tell me if it is safe to wash my Acura MDX 2002 engine as it looks dirty under the hood. Took it to a friends body shop and he told me that it wasnt a good idea as problems might arise with the ectronic circuitry. I would like to clean the engine but would appreciate it if anyone who has done it let me know the best way to protect the sensitive parts. Pics would be helpful. What to use and how to....
Did anyone have issues with this in the past?? Please let me know.
Thanx
Steadystud... |
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| shootist |
A detailer who I used to use (pre-MDX) would only clean the engine with rags, not flushing water. He used a relatively mild cleaner like Formula 409 rather than a degreaser, since he didn't want to flush rinse.
If you do want to rinse, use a gentle mist rather than a penatrating spray. Keep away from the fuse boxes, and anything that has a lot of wires going into it.
It is a vehcile, however, and will tolerate some water. Water splashes up from the road, and in through the radiator and grille. A little more water shouldnt' hut it, unless you get in there with a strong spray and hit something that rain wou;dn't touch. |
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| steadystud |
Thank you Shootist... It helps... I appreciate it..
quote:
Originally posted by shootist
A detailer who I used to use (pre-MDX) would only clean the engine with rags, not flushing water. He used a relatively mild cleaner like Formula 409 rather than a degreaser, since he didn't want to flush rinse.
If you do want to rinse, use a gentle mist rather than a penatrating spray. Keep away from the fuse boxes, and anything that has a lot of wires going into it.
It is a vehcile, however, and will tolerate some water. Water splashes up from the road, and in through the radiator and grille. A little more water shouldnt' hut it, unless you get in there with a strong spray and hit something that rain wou;dn't touch.
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| Fabvsix |
Steady:
Do left to right, piece by piece, with your favorite tunes and beverage. Once done, keep it maintained with a good product from Lexol or Meg for plastic trimmings etc.....I agree to skip a pressure approach too!
Good luck and send us before and after results! |
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| 2001MDX4me |
| I thought a lot of shops use steam these days to clean an engine. My preference would be to use rags. |
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| Fabvsix |
| Yep rags and elbow grease........:1: :1: |
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| steadystud |
Interesting.. did'nt know that.. !!!! Question is where do I find someone who does that in NJ. Thanx..
quote:
Originally posted by 2001MDX4me
I thought a lot of shops use steam these days to clean an engine. My preference would be to use rags.
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| steadystud |
Nice look.... ever seen this ??? let me know if it is safe...
http://www.1017.org/nsx/Enginetrick/EngineTrick.htm
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
Steady:
Do left to right, piece by piece, with your favorite tunes and beverage. Once done, keep it maintained with a good product from Lexol or Meg for plastic trimmings etc.....I agree to skip a pressure approach too!
Good luck and send us before and after results!
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| midnightMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
Yep rags and elbow grease........:1: :1:
+1. You just got to take your time and do each part. Or pay a detailer/car wash to do it. Then from there you can just touch it up from time to time. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
steadystud,
To clean my engine compartment, I shoot everthing with a spray bottle of 4/1 Simple Green and water. Wipe everthing clean with a rag. For that extra *pop*, I spray the vinyl and plastic parts with AmorAll. Wipe the excess off with another clean rag. Finally, post your pics on acuramdx.org. Good luck.:29: |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
steadystud,
To clean my engine compartment, I shoot everthing with a spray bottle of 4/1 Simple Green and water. Wipe everthing clean with a rag. For that extra *pop*, I spray the vinyl and plastic parts with AmorAll. Wipe the excess off with another clean rag. Finally, post your pics on acuramdx.org. Good luck.:29:
Ewwww too clean, just kidding.
Don't forget to wear heavy gloves, I didn't and ripped half of my nail off. Something like ironclad (which I use ) or similar. What's great about mine is I can throw them into the wash with the rags, I use the one from Costco which are microfiber. Those really clean well. |
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| Fabvsix |
| Nice clean engine bay exCAL....:29: |
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| steadystud |
Hey Excal...
Has the vehicle of this engine in the pic ever hit the road ?????
Looks too good to be true.... !!!!!
Thanx for your advice.. I am planning to buy Gunk... degreaser and quick question.... do you have to cover the electronic parts or should I be extra careful of any parts that might get wet even with simple green???
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
steadystud,
To clean my engine compartment, I shoot everthing with a spray bottle of 4/1 Simple Green and water. Wipe everthing clean with a rag. For that extra *pop*, I spray the vinyl and plastic parts with AmorAll. Wipe the excess off with another clean rag. Finally, post your pics on acuramdx.org. Good luck.:29:
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| Warzau |
Bah I can't edit my post to add a attachment.
So here it is. Unfortunantly Black doesn't look as clean as white when cleaned:2:
Of course I dont' have Armor All handy. :( |
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| oops |
| Is it ok for the battery to get wet when I wash the engine? |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by steadystud
Thanx for your advice.. I am planning to buy Gunk... degreaser and quick question.... do you have to cover the electronic parts or should I be extra careful of any parts that might get wet even with simple green???
NOOOOOOOoooooooo NOT GUNK or any other degreaser! Go back and read this thread, and write twenty times on the blackboard:
I WILL NOT USE HARSH CHEMICALS TO CLEAN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT
I WILL NOT USE HARSH CHEMICALS TO CLEAN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Rages, elbow grease, and a mild diluted cleaner or soap. There is more Not Grease in the engine compartment than there is Grease. And, there is a lot more stuff that will die an early death in there if you hit it with a strong chemical. |
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| 2001MDX4me |
quote:
Originally posted by oops
Is it ok for the battery to get wet when I wash the engine?
Battery getting wet should be no problem. Back in the days that's how my dad and I would clean the corrosion/build up on the battery terminals...stream of water and metal brush. Heck, back in the days, you'd fill the batteries with water.
It's the other parts that I'd be more worried about. |
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| 2001MDX4me |
quote:
Originally posted by shootist
NOOOOOOOoooooooo NOT GUNK or any other degreaser! Go back and read this thread, and write twenty times on the blackboard:
I WILL NOT USE HARSH CHEMICALS TO CLEAN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT
I WILL NOT USE HARSH CHEMICALS TO CLEAN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT
:2: |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
Ewwww too clean, just kidding.
Don't forget to wear heavy gloves, I didn't and ripped half of my nail off. Something like ironclad (which I use ) or similar. What's great about mine is I can throw them into the wash with the rags, I use the one from Costco which are microfiber. Those really clean well.
Gloves are a great idea. I've skinned a few knuckles trying to get into the tiny nooks and crannies of my engine compartment. BTW, Costco sells white Martex washcloths @ 24 to a pack. They make nice cleaning rags.:4: |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
Nice clean engine bay exCAL....:29:
Thanks. You da man when it comes to detailing. I get my inspiration and ideas from you.:D |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by steadystud
Hey Excal...
Has the vehicle of this engine in the pic ever hit the road ?????
Looks too good to be true.... !!!!!
Thanx for your advice.. I am planning to buy Gunk... degreaser and quick question.... do you have to cover the electronic parts or should I be extra careful of any parts that might get wet even with simple green???
I just doubled checked the odometer on my 2002 MDX. I've managed to rack up only 36,553 easy miles so far. To answer your question, when I spray the Simple Green on my engine compartment, I wipe it off immmediately with my rag. I don't drown or soak anything. CORRECTION: When I posted a 4/1 ratio earlier, I meant 4 parts water to 1 part Simple Green. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
Bah I can't edit my post to add a attachment.
So here it is. Unfortunantly Black doesn't look as clean as white when cleaned:2:
Of course I dont' have Armor All handy. :(
If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking 'til you do succeed. It looks like one more round of cleaning and some AmorAll to make the vinyl and plastic *pop*, and you'll be good to go.:2: |
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| Fabvsix |
nothing beats Armorall for maintenance purposes! I've been using it for years now! I stopped using it on dash/door panel parts and use Lexol's plastic clearner product...blue bottle and Lexol on leather seats etc....
Oh gloves! Yes, I get boxes of those gloves at OSH and use them all the time esp. when gardening, changing oil, cleaning my pool filters, wiping down my bbq pit when full of grease etc.....
AND don't forget that marvelous product called W/D 40! I use that for many purposes! The youth are clueless of this great product!
Have great Fridays!
:1: :1: |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking 'til you do succeed. It looks like one more round of cleaning and some AmorAll to make the vinyl and plastic *pop*, and you'll be good to go.:2:
Actually I meant to say that, that pictures is current and I haven't been able to keep it "clean" since spring. |
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| Wilde Oscar |
| Every few years or so I take my cars down to the local DIY power wash place. With the engine running (but not to hot) I spray on the green foam then blast it with the high pressure rinse. I try to keep away from the electronics but everything else gets hit. This doesn’t sound like a common practice but I’ve never have a problem and I drive my cars a long time. It never occurred to me that components designed to withstand the harsh environment of an engine compartment might be prematurely degraded by this. Here in Michigan we’re always fighting the effects of road salt and this seems to do a great job. I just bought a used ’04 MDX with 61k and it was obvious the previous owner never touched the engine. This was the first thing I did before an oil change and no negative effects. Just my 2 cents. |
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| steadystud |
OK OK Ok !!!!! You got it man.... thanx... lol
quote:
Originally posted by 2001MDX4me
:2:
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| steadystud |
You're absolutely right man.. I remember putting water into the batterty compartment..LOL... only that now they are sealed.. !!! Iwas wondering abuut the alternator or someother electronically exosed parts... But I guess I have gained enough knowledge... Simple Green/rags/ and armorall...that's it. !!!!
thanx to all......
quote:
Originally posted by 2001MDX4me
Battery getting wet should be no problem. Back in the days that's how my dad and I would clean the corrosion/build up on the battery terminals...stream of water and metal brush. Heck, back in the days, you'd fill the batteries with water.
It's the other parts that I'd be more worried about.
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| bolt |
| I just get some GUNK engine degreaser @ a store and do it before winter in NewEngland and after(bi-annually) with the DIY pressure washer. ~ |
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