Engine bay clean with tire foam

HazmatJeff · Post by **HazmatJeff** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 8:33 pm

When I clean my engine using tire foam all I need to do is spray it on to a cool engine and then let the engine run for 10-15 minutes. I don't need to cover anything off do I?

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:11 am

I have never used tire products in my engine bay.

Not sure what the run time would matter. I'm sure when you drive it, it is longer than 10 to 15 minutes.

If it is combustible, I would stay away from the exhaust parts.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:41 am

No, you don't really need to run the engine either.

zhneon · Post by **zhneon** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:19 am

Let me know how that goes.
I have some tire foam and a dirty engine bay lol

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:10 am

If your engine is that dirty, you might as well just properly clean it. Tire foam, just like on tires, will only do so much.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:15 pm

I've actually used tire foam and let it sit for a while then wipe it off...

zhneon · Post by **zhneon** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:15 pm

darthroush wrote:If your engine is that dirty, you might as well just properly clean it. Tire foam, just like on tires, will only do so much.

Haha, well for me I am too lazy to clean it and its not seen by anyone anyway, so spraying some foam and wiping it off works better for my needs. Winters coming so it wouldn't stay clean either

HazmatJeff · Post by **HazmatJeff** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:16 pm

It's not really that dirty. I just want to clean some of the dust and dirt that has accumulated and give it some shine.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:20 pm

It was more of a reply to the one above mine. Tire foam works pretty good on dust.

HazmatJeff · Post by **HazmatJeff** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:00 pm

So I cleaned it today with some after pics:

today was a busy day. I put in some new front speakers (the stock ones were blown and just got around to changing them), I installed new tweeters in the rear, a new sub and box to replace my blown subs, changed my plugs, and finally cleaned my engine.
I'll have more pictures up tomorrow after I clean the car itself in the pictures thread.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:05 pm

Meh, I would have blasted it at the car wash to get rid of all the crud around the VC bolts, and wire harnesses. Then foamed it.

HazmatJeff · Post by **HazmatJeff** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:08 pm

How would you do that with all the exposed wiring?

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:28 pm

?

I use the pressure wand at the car wash often with no issues. Just drive it for at least a 15 minutes to dry things out. If it has the hot wax feature, all the better.

But if the plug wires are bad, you will find out.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 1:34 am

Spray it down with a hose before you wash the car, spray an APC on it, scrub with some soapy water, rinse and proceed.

echoalpha23 · Post by **echoalpha23** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:48 am

remove hood, spray liberally with simple green, and drive thru car wash, reinstall hood...

simple!

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 6:33 pm

Too much time, effort and money compared to a garden hose and a brush...

doyle09 · Post by **doyle09** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:18 pm

i'm goin to copy and paste a be all end all how to on this subject. let the pictures speak for themselves. i have done this on quite a few cars now with great results. After you do this once, if you simply spray some formula on every time you wash the car it looks and stays looking amazing. The formula 2001 is for interiors, but it works. and this is not my how to its form a friend

Not Just for NOOBs .

Estimated Time : 1 hr .
Realistic Time : All Day .

Hey Guy's I'm posting my 30 min Engine Bay Makeover once again .
I have posted it on several boards over the years , under several names.
But this is the most Revised Version . Sorry if it's SRT4 specific , but I'm biased .

(" The 30 Min's " is how long it will take after you have done it a few Times) (If you can walk away. )
(" The Estimated Time " is how long it should take the First time you do it. )
("The Realistic Time " is How much time you should set aside for " just this " distraction Free.)(children , Pets , Significant others , etc.)
Trust me , you will not want to stop once you get started .

Just some things to consider before you Start this project .
- How good do you want it to look ? Look at the Engine Bay long and Hard to determine what should be repainted .
Most SRT4 Battery Trays Suck . If you have a CAI , you can see the ugly thing. Should you paint it ?
I say yes , because you will wish you had . But do as you wish .
-While the Battery Tray is out De-grease the Trans case if needed . ( I just vacuum mine now , it's clean )

- Some supplies you will need :
-Rubber embedded cotton gloves(important) Then you can jamb your hands into
places that are Sharp or Hot w/o worrying about it.
-De-greaser of your choice . (They all suck about the Same , but ya gotta cut the film of oil/grease a little .)
-Old Rags , Towels , etc . They will be ruined ...so it's your Choice.
-Old Tooth brushes , tooth picks , Q-tips .
-Formula 2001 protecting spray . ( * Not Armor All * )
-Plastic Bags from Target , Grocery store , etc.
-Masking tape for the Bags is nice but not necessary.
-Card Board to put under the Engine compartment to catch drips.
If you plan to do this right it's going to drip a lot. Trust me .
-Water bucket , Hose , pressure washer , etc. (This has been done at the Car wash , but takes timing )( most places frown on De-greaser Down their drains)

-Start by cleaning out any debris ; ie. leaves , sticks , mud , rat nests , [I don't know where you were last nite.]
Once you can see the engine , firewall , fender wells , spray everything with your choice of engine degreaser/cleaner.
Let sit about 15min , use this time to give more hard to reach places a little more attention.
- Next rinse off degreaser/cleaner .
A pressure washer is nice but not necessary, a common garden hose on mist will work just fine.
[cover any fussy electronics with plastic bags if you don't trust yourself with the hose].
-Next wipe dry,then cover everything under the hood with Formula 2001 by Turtle Wax.
When your done the whole engine bay should be dripping in a milky , nasty , white....substance.
-Then remove any plastic bags if used , shut the hood and start the engine and let it run for about 15-30 Min's.
I just go for a lap or two [old school for a short ride]. Just until your car's temp. gauge reads normal temperature for about 15 Min's.
When your ready open the hood . It's AMAZING. Let's see some pic's. You won't be sorry.

Disclaimer:
I've used this method several times on several different types of Vehicles. From a $89,000 BMW European 530xi to a Toyota Matrix .
They both looked Show room fresh with no harm to any under hood components.
Granted Some Vehicles Engine Bays are Sad to start with so anything will help.
Then there are the ones whose Engine bays "were" supposed to be seen ( Which the SRT-4 is one)
these tend to lend themselves to more Spectacular Results .
Enjoy.