GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

What do you do (if anything) to keep the engine bay looking clean? Is it OK to hose it off? What about the alternator, which looks to be open for cooling? Any products for this job?

We actually discussed this several months ago:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=3630I'm pretty sure I remember seeing some tips in there!

'GUNK'*Cover the alternator - with tin foil (don't forget to take it off after you're finished).

Also you have to cover any air intakes, e.g. CAI filters, standard air intakes, any air intakes for the air system...etc....Be sure to read the directions carefully...

quote:We actually discussed this several months ago:Thanks!!

quote:Cover the alternator - with tin foil (don't forget to take it off after you're finished). If you're kidding, it's not obvious enoughI don't know about anyone else, but I'd never use a conductive metal foil to wrap around the alternator unless I disconnected the positive battery terminal first. The reference thread recommends a plastic grocery bag. Sounds a lot safer

I stand corrected. I've always used foil to cover important items during hose down. Never had a problem. Saran wrap would work just as well.

I didn't look at the alternator in the Vibe before I posted that. The terminals are probably insulated enough to not really be a problem.Once I was working on a different car, and wasn't paying a lot of attention, and my metal watch band made contact at the battery terminal of the alternator and the alternator case, It's only 12 volts, but a lot of current that spot welded my watch band to both. No electrocution threat, but it got so hot that I got a nasty burn/ big blister halfway around my wrist. Now I'm skittish about such things. (and I take my watch off when working on the car)

Becareful when you open the hood. Especially when you have a new assembled vehicle. There is conductive lube used during assembly to keep out dirt and water. If you use a power washer to hose down your engine compartment you are saking for trouble. Maybe not today but it could be during the winter when things shrink and that gap between the connectors gets larger and poof you are stuck on the side of the road because something shorted out. Now if you had a muscle car with very little electronics cover them with pieces of gum or saran wrap and let it rip. Use a good spray on engine degreaser and then use a hose if you wish without a nozzle. Just use enough water to do the job and I always put tape over the connectors and disconnect the battery and take it out then dry the area before you put it back in. Water sitting under your battery for a period of time will not be noticed by anyone until the vehicle wont start then you take the battery out and notice the water underneath. All new vehicles have areas for the battery to keep it dry. Once you open the hood you expose the battery. Just keep it simple and you will not have any troubles. Keep the front clean for the supercharger. For people that are really careful and put their cars in shows they use hand cleaner/degreaser and clean each part by part and hand spray and dry.

Listen to me!!!!!!!!The best stuff that I found over the counter is sold at Canadian Tire. It's called Engine Detailer. It's a 2 can set you find in the wash and wax section, one can is a degreaser the other is the detailer protectant.The detailer is a creeper oil, meaning, when you first spray it on it looks kind of messy but give it overnight and POW! Your engine will look like the day it came out of the dealer. You only have to use this stuff 2-3 a year, it repells dirt, dust, salt. I do detailing part time, PEOPLE TRUST ME ON THIS ONE! I started using this stuff in 98 when I bought my new Cavalier. I just traded it for a 2004 Vibe the dealer thought I put a new engine in. It was sold in 45 min no lying!

Of course you realize most of the people on this forum have no clue what Canadian Tire is. Sounds like good stuff though. I'll give it a try in the spring time. For the winter I spray the engine compartment with Rust Check.

quote:Cover the alternator - with tin foil (don't forget to take it off after you're finished). If you're kidding, it's not obvious enoughI don't know about anyone else, but I'd never use a conductive metal foil to wrap around the alternator unless I disconnected the positive battery terminal first. The reference thread recommends a plastic grocery bag. Sounds a lot safer foil is almost not conductive at all, that's why magnets don't stick to it

well, i was wrong then, damn i hate that

aluminum is, however, a poor conductor right?

quote:aluminum is, however, a poor conductor right?No, it conducts quite well.Ever notice the "death warnings" on alumnium ladders? Never let them get near power lines...Plus, I used to use alumnium foil to get current through closed doors back in the day when I made circuts and stuff...

Always be careful when putting anything in the engine compartment. The companies who create the engine degreaser do not really care about electronic parts over time. The product you describe from Canadian tire sounds like the stuff we get here in the states. It is in a white can and is called engine degreaser. It is a 2 in 1 product. It cleans and shines. Yes it does work well but if your electric connections are not greased properly it will cause a ground short. Always make sure all of your electrical connections are greased and air tight from particles. It may not damage the car today but just think of a cold day in January when you really have to get home and it is 0 degrees F. Will the car start or short out? Will the heater work? Not trying to frighten anyone. It is just like an exercise program. If you really want that body on TV then you need to have a regular exercise program plus diet. You can not buy muscles in a battery controlled machine. If want the engine compartment to look wonderful a can of sprits will do a quick fix but in the long run you have to get close and personal with it to really get it clean.