Engine Cleaning / Washing

[gandrade1]

Hi guys,

Thanks to your help I have recently cleaned the TB on my 01 Boxster and, yes, it runs much better!

I must confess that was the first time I opened the engine compartment in the one year I have had the car and, man, does it look dirty!!!! I did a search to find a way to clean / wash a Porsche engine and I found some general tips, such as cover the eletronic and electric components. I also asked a dealer and from the height of his knowledge he said - we don't mess with that...

Well, I am thinking about messing with that and was just wondering whether any of you have successfully cleaned or washed a Boxster engine and know its peculiarities. I know there is an expert here in Concours - Orient Express - whose 996 is cleaner than many of the new cars we see at dealer lots. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for the Boxster: what to use? parts to cover and how to cover them?

Thank you so much, once more.

Gus

Wash Engine - Part 1

Wash Engine - Part 2

[gandrade1]

Anyone????

:eek: Come on guys! This must be a topic that interests not only me!?!? :eek:

Edited March 13, 2008 by gandrade1

[ebk5368]

As my old crew chief once said, "...if it ain't broke don't fix it..."

No help there if you really want to clean it...but it's an ugly job on a 986. You have to protect the interior and top, especially the back window, from splashes in addition to the electrical stuff, plus you need to take care of the engine compartment insulation (don't soak it).

I don't know how deep the concours guys go, but I did some cleaning the other day as I was changing the water-pump and this worked pretty well:

With the car on high jackstands, with the undertray removed, with the access panel behind the seats removed, with everything wrapped:

- I used two hardware store spray bottles, one filled with a mix of hot water and mr. clean, the other with hot water. I heavily coated the areas to be cleaned with the cleaner mixture, worked any tough spots with a toothbrush and my fingers, and then flushed with the warm water. I took care not to leave the cleaner on too long and after it was all done made sure to run the car to evaporate any moisture. (An important point here, whatever you use to clean the engine, when you start it back up the fumes will fill the interior of the car because all the access hatches are open. You could end up with a clean engine and a seriously stinkin interior.)

I only did the front of the engine this way, doing the complete engine would be a real mission.

Or you could just wipe down every thing you can see with a rag and close it back up.

[Loren]

I use P21s Total Auto Wash It can be sprayed on worked with a soft paint brush and rinsed clean. In drought areas use a pump dispenser (used to apply lawn care products).Dry wih coton towels. Use of a hose can wet delicate electrical components I always run the engine before and after.

John Paterek - PCA Website - 4 02

I use the same method.