MX-3.com

Hi all,
before you start,yes i have done a search with no joy,
my engines really dirty and i want to clean it,this is my 1st mx3 and have no idea what to be care full with,can you tell me if steaming or pressure or hosing it downs best and what i shouldnt go near and what i should remove please.
sorry for such a stupid question but after seeing some of your blinged up engines,ive got to do it .
thanks in advance.

Cover the distributor with a plastic back. Make sure you cover any aftermarket intake system as well (at least the filter).

Then go to the car wash and use a low pressure rinse like a pre-soak to get it all soapy and then wash it off with a rise. You can use the brush for abit as well to clean it up.

Then maybe let it dry in the sun for abit!

solo_ryder wrote:Cover the distributor with a plastic back. Make sure you cover any aftermarket intake system as well (at least the filter).

Then go to the car wash and use a low pressure rinse like a pre-soak to get it all soapy and then wash it off with a rise. You can use the brush for abit as well to clean it up.

Then maybe let it dry in the sun for abit!

thanks a lot fella,
didnt want to destroy my beloved .
thanks

'Gunk' Engine Degreaser, follow instructions on can. If really really dirty buy two.

Daninski wrote:'Gunk' Engine Degreaser, folow instructions on car. If really really dirty buy two.

real real dirty mate,
like it been under trees with bonnet,boot and doors open .
sure there was a pigeon nest or two too

solo_ryder wrote:Cover the distributor with a plastic back. Make sure you cover any aftermarket intake system as well (at least the filter).

Should you cover over where the spark plugs are too??

DEB

You can if you want, but if you have newish plugs then they should be ok on a low pressure rinse. They should bond to the aluminum creating a seal, you would notice this when you take the plug wire out and it takes some force.

But that is a good point, once your done go ahead and wipe that area dry of water (on the valley in the valve covers) to ensure no residual water gets into the spark plug area. If water does get into the holes some compressed air and a towel on top will clean that stuff out

thanks for replys,
on that subject a mate said i should grease round the to create a seal but i did think it would be ok with low preasure.
just dont want to wreck any think for the sake of a bit of dirt.
i might just take it the garage and let the pros do it if i cant remove much with low preasure.
thanks again for replys and as said good point.
take care lads

Careful of the plugs. I washed my engine and it sounded like a helicopter running on 4 cylinders for 3 days. Looked nice though

ElectricEnergy wrote:Careful of the plugs. I washed my engine and it sounded like a helicopter running on 4 cylinders for 3 days. Looked nice though

lol,
will scrub by them and not hose.
thanks for warning

I tried all that chemicam crap with no success..


so...


I sanded the manifold and covers and painted them black lol


It had tar tains well moke stains when the car on fire.

you want to wash your motor with it running this vibrates all the water out of the little places

This thread is overkill now.

Wash the motor already. Not that hard

solo_ryder wrote:This thread is overkill now.

Wash the motor already. Not that hard

to you not that hard as you may of had yours many years but me as a newbie to the car,i want to be carefull and not wreck my engine,lucky i didnt just blast it with the pressure washer aint i?
thanks for all replys lads

redmxlookin4turbo wrote:you want to wash your motor with it running this vibrates all the water out of the little places

If you do this
Let the car cool completely. Then start it, and wash the engine immediately. If you spray cold water on a hot engine, you could warp, or crack something, because the rapid change in temp causes contraction on that spot, while the other parts are still expanded. Also, you could cause the belts to slip, or get water in the intake.
I don't recommend cleaning the engine while it's running. If something shakes loose afterward, you can spot clean it. I do run my cars to dry them, for the same reason.
If you pressure wash it, take the plug wires out of the heads when you're done, and blow the water out, so they don't cause a short.
The best way I've found to clean the engine is to spray on Gunk Foaming cleaner, wait a few minutes, and spray it off with Gunk not foaming engine cleaner. A cheaper way is to spray the foamy stuff off with 90% Rubbing Alcohol in a spray bottle.
You can't get it any cleaner than this.