question on cleaning of engine compartment

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Apr 7, 2002 | 04:03 PM

BSOD

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From: NorCal

question on cleaning of engine compartment

So I think I've become nuts enough to care about how clean my engine compartment is now. While doing a tiny bit of cleaning there the last time I washed my car (just brushing off the dust on the visible / easily reachable surfaces), I noticed that the part of the top sides of the fenders (the painted area right below the side edges of the hood) and the visible painted areas at the rear corners of the engine bay have a light film of some sort of greasy goo (almost like Vaseline?) (no HIG) on them. It looks like it's supposed to be there, maybe to help prevent corrosion or something, but I'm not too sure. Question is is it supposed to be there or not? I can take a pic later if I'm not describing it enough.

Not quite comfortable yet to just hose off the whole engine, but wanted to get my ducks in a row before using some P21S total auto wash to spot clean the engine bay (which would strip off the goo among other things)

Apr 7, 2002 | 05:47 PM

Ted K

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Check out this article on cleaning your cars engine compartment...

Hope this helps.<ul><li><a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/clean_engines.html">Car Care Specialties Article on engine compartment cleaning</a></li></ul>

Apr 7, 2002 | 07:04 PM

BSOD

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From: NorCal

Still doesn't answer if the goo is supposed to be there or not :\

Apr 7, 2002 | 10:15 PM

Seattle Scott

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If you can see it, it can go away. I have read about some "wax"?? based stuff inside some panels for

sound proofing. Most people say that's way you don't want to use hot water on the car. I don't think that makes a lot of sense around a hot engine bay..ya know???

Anyway, those of use with old beaters are washing our engines all the time with presure washers, garden hoses, Gunk, Simply Green, etc...have at her.

DON'T spray water up your air intake !!