Engine Cleaning...

[DesignerNate]

How often and how important is it to keep your engine clean? I've been doing well keeping the outside of my Fiesta clean however i don't really know what to do when it comes to cleaning the inside... I assume NOT to drowned it with water lol. But what products work best? What is the process like? Also how often should you clean your engine? (I'm talking purely external washing obviously oil change fluid changes are described elsewhere)

[aspitaletto]

Originally Posted by DesignerNate

How often and how important is it to keep your engine clean? I've been doing well keeping the outside of my Fiesta clean however i don't really know what to do when it comes to cleaning the inside... I assume NOT to drowned it with water lol. But what products work best? What is the process like? Also how often should you clean your engine? (I'm talking purely external washing obviously oil change fluid changes are described elsewhere)

use no products, just a damp terrycloth towel.

[psi chick]

if there's a tough spot to get out some simple green works wonders, but other than that i wouldn't use anything on the engine bay.

[aspitaletto]

Originally Posted by psi chick

if there's a tough spot to get out some simple green works wonders, but other than that i wouldn't use anything on the engine bay.

very true, IF you have a spot that is smeared with oil / grease i use a 50/50 solution of Purple Power and water. I have it in a spray bottle and spray the cloth, not the part.

[FiEsTa]

I clean my engine bay once a week,i use a hose with the head set to a fine and start the engine and spray the hole lot this way your getting no serious build up of grime and the bay and engine is like new constantly.And leave the hood up once hosed off to let dry.

[HokieBill]

Based on the British Top Gear segment on the Fiesta you would have to say that it can take quite a lot of water under the hood; at least for a while.

If you haven't seen it; enjoy
‪Ford Fiesta road test - Top Gear - BBC‬‏ - YouTube

I hope one of you guys with a Slime Green hatchback didn't get that car


But seriously, I had a Focus before this and I washed the engine with plain water a couple of times; like before I changed the timing belt and when I sold it. I'm sure most people would not recommend it but I did it anyway. When I did it I washed it when the engine was cold so nothing broke or warped from the thermal shock. After washing, I drove it for 20-30 minutes to dry everything out.

The engine looks to be the same basic design and the only problem I had was water getting down in the spark plug holes. If you do wash the engine, before you start up, pull the spark plug wires and dry the holes out really well. The Focus engine had a lot of water in there and I had to keep dipping the corner of a towel to soak some up then squeeze it out. Took about 15 min. and then I used a hairdryer to finish up.

[Masson]

Stolen from another forum:

"1. Most people warm up the engine bay. This is easy , start the car and let it run only for a little you dont want it hot. This is also not that necessary but it does allow the water to more easily evaporate. So its suggested.

2. Spray down the entire bay with simple green , let sit 5 minutes then spray off with a strong stream of water from a hose. Some even prefer pressure sprayer...this could be overkill and may even get the water into places that it shouldn't. Some people try to make sure the electronics or distributor caps dont get water. This is good , use a good eye when spraying. Also dont spray into your air filter if its an exposed type.

3. Dry with a towel. Just to get the excess. Also be sure to get the bottom of the hood.

4. Afterwards just use some rubber/plastic protectant on plastic and rubber surfaces and hoses. If you want it looking newer. I normally do this and tada.

A cleaner engine bay will be a happier engine bay. The motor will run better and will not collect moisture as easy and can dissipate the heat a little bit better. Its not going to do major things for performance but this is typical notes from any service manual. A dirty caked motor with oil is just not a good idea."

I did this with my 1998 Ford Ranger. I just made sure to cover the ECU and anything else that I didn't want getting sprayed with water.

-Nick

[eRic]

Originally Posted by HokieBill

Based on the British Top Gear segment on the Fiesta you would have to say that it can take quite a lot of water under the hood; at least for a while.

If you haven't seen it; enjoy
‪Ford Fiesta road test - Top Gear - BBC‬‏ - YouTube

don't try that with an injen cold air intake installed...