Nice Lookin Engine

[whatme]

my engine in my car looks like crap. All the picture i have seen of other peoples look nice but mine looks like crap. How can you make your engine look better???

[V Tuning 850]

Clean it

[Gregg]

Power-wash (i.e. self-serve car wash) will do the trick. Keep the car running while you're washing it, but try to have the engine very cool (i.e. not right after a hard drive). Most places have an engine/wheel degreaser that works fairly well. Spray that on, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose off with lots of clean water.

For metal parts, some Eagle One NEVR-DULL works alright to bring out the shine in most parts. For plastic parts I've found that using a plastic/rubber protectant, sprayed onto a cloth, works well. Just wipe down the plastic parts with this cloth.

Once you do a thorough cleaning, just rinse out the engine bay every week or two, depending on how dusty the conditions are where you live.

[ProjectT-5R]

but be a bit careful w/ those powerwashers. When I did not know so much about my car I did that, got a spark plug wet so it started misfiring and through a CEL. had to take it to the dealer for them to check the CEL and tell me the plug was wet (which I did not know) and they took care of it, $62 stupid expense

[spottieottie]

Make sure you cover your dist. cap too. Just stating the obvious.

[theunderlord]

Make sure you cover your dist. cap too.  Just stating the obvious.

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The trick is, once you've followed the directions that people have so graciously helped out with, you have the engine spotless, keep it that way. A simple 20 minute wipedown every time you wash your car will keep your engine looking great. I keep saying this, but a clean engine will help you diagnose leaks, and cracks in vital hoses and seals.

[Mesoam]

or you could read the pinned thread at the top of this forum "cleaning your engine" :)