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YACT: keeping your engine clean

scorpmatt

scorpmatt

Diamond Member
I'm curious, to those of us here on OT, what do you do to keep your car engine clean and running strong?

me, just the normal oil change (every 3k, could go farther but I dont like the sound my motor makes) and changing of the plugs, wires, cap, rotor. also, I let the car run up to atleast 4k rpms, doesn't waste gas and lets the engine burn what needs to be burned.
 
I change the oil every 5-7k miles - check the fluids on a monthly basis. The occasional pressure washing of the engine bay too 😛
 
Originally posted by: Ryan
I change the oil every 5-7k miles - check the fluids on a monthly basis. The occasional pressure washing of the engine bay too 😛
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I have to do that on my dakota, its got a slow oil leak and it travels along something (not sure what) and ends up all over the bottom of the engine.
 
Originally posted by: Ryan
I change the oil every 5-7k miles - check the fluids on a monthly basis. The occasional pressure washing of the engine bay too 😛
Click to expand...

when did you get unbanned?
 
Originally posted by: Aharami
Originally posted by: Ryan
I change the oil every 5-7k miles - check the fluids on a monthly basis. The occasional pressure washing of the engine bay too 😛
Click to expand...

when did you get unbanned?
Click to expand...

do me a favor, please don't thread jack this, those kind of questions can be asked via pm
 
my engine has 135kmiles, cracked oil pan. leaky front and rear seals, leaky valve covers, and several collapsed lifters. i still change the oil every 4k but i know its on its last legs.
 
Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
my engine has 135kmiles, cracked oil pan. leaky front and rear seals, leaky valve covers, and several collapsed lifters. i still change the oil every 4k but i know its on its last legs.
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um, wow, what car is that in?
 
Just did plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil on my MR2..ran beautifully for a while; now it refuses to start. 😛

On the Corolla, I just keep changing the oil..replaced the PCV valve not too long ago.
 
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Just did plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil on my MR2..ran beautifully for a while; now it refuses to start. 😛

On the Corolla, I just keep changing the oil..replaced the PCV valve not too long ago.
Click to expand...

problably put the wires from the distrib. on in the incorrect order.
 
Originally posted by: scorpmatt
I'm curious, to those of us here on OT, what do you do to keep your car engine clean and running strong?

me, just the normal oil change (every 3k, could go farther but I dont like the sound my motor makes) and changing of the plugs, wires, cap, rotor. also, I let the car run up to atleast 4k rpms, doesn't waste gas and lets the engine burn what needs to be burned.
Click to expand...

😕
 
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Just did plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil on my MR2..ran beautifully for a while; now it refuses to start. 😛

On the Corolla, I just keep changing the oil..replaced the PCV valve not too long ago.
Click to expand...

problably put the wires from the distrib. on in the incorrect order.
Click to expand...

Negative..it ran after all the above work was done. Pulled hard to the limiter, too -- brought it back home & let it idle for a while. There's been a light rattling in the engine bay, so I decided to look for it -- when I was looking around, it stalled. Now it won't start -- no clicking or anything..seems like the starter isn't even connected. I need to jack it up and look at wiring, I think..or try pushstarting it and see if it runs.
 
but for me its some engine degreaser every once in a while, pressure washer.

change oil about every 4-5k miles. check fluids.

for those of you asking why keep engine bay clean.

if its dirty how are you to tell if oil leaks? if you have to fix it, your gunna be cleaning it anyways so may as well make it less work.
 
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Bad ground?
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Possibly. I'm still a bit confused as to why it stalled in the first place. In the last 2000 miles, it's had clutch/starter/head gasket/t-belt, and the other stuff I posted above.

I should probably start a new thread to avoid hijacking this one 😛
 
Keeping the exterior of your engine clean is actually pretty important.

1. It keeps it cooler than one coated in oil and dust/dirt

2. It allows you to spot problems early with your car such as leaky seals, bad hoses, etc

3. When you need to make repairs, its much easier to get at the bolts/nuts to remove them and makes the job that much nicer/easier.

Its also a matter of personal pride for many of us
 
In regards to pressure washing your engine - do you guys take it somewhere or DIY? Mine has about 25K miles on it (04) and its starting to get a lil dirty, figure I should keep it clean while it's still relatively clean.
 
Change oil every 3-4k miles, check all fluids. I got a misfiring cylinder, but I got 5 others that pull through. This car will last at least 15k more miles. (185k miles on Grand Prix)
 
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Originally posted by: scorpmatt
I'm curious, to those of us here on OT, what do you do to keep your car engine clean and running strong?

me, just the normal oil change (every 3k, could go farther but I dont like the sound my motor makes) and changing of the plugs, wires, cap, rotor. also, I let the car run up to atleast 4k rpms, doesn't waste gas and lets the engine burn what needs to be burned.
Click to expand...

😕
Click to expand...

the motor is 23 years old and sat for a few years. I'm thinking there is something in there causing it not to like old oil. sounds odd I know, but it is true.
 
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
In regards to pressure washing your engine - do you guys take it somewhere or DIY? Mine has about 25K miles on it (04) and its starting to get a lil dirty, figure I should keep it clean while it's still relatively clean.
Click to expand...

I usually take mine to the DIY car wash place, those things are fun 😀

Edit: just don't forgot the stuff that you spray on to get rid of all that oil/dirt/whatever
 
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Just did plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil on my MR2..ran beautifully for a while; now it refuses to start. 😛

On the Corolla, I just keep changing the oil..replaced the PCV valve not too long ago.
Click to expand...

problably put the wires from the distrib. on in the incorrect order.
Click to expand...

Negative..it ran after all the above work was done. Pulled hard to the limiter, too -- brought it back home & let it idle for a while. There's been a light rattling in the engine bay, so I decided to look for it -- when I was looking around, it stalled. Now it won't start -- no clicking or anything..seems like the starter isn't even connected. I need to jack it up and look at wiring, I think..or try pushstarting it and see if it runs.
Click to expand...

could be something wrong with the iginition as well, GL with that
 
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
In regards to pressure washing your engine - do you guys take it somewhere or DIY? Mine has about 25K miles on it (04) and its starting to get a lil dirty, figure I should keep it clean while it's still relatively clean.
Click to expand...

I never pressurewash mine. Its too easy to accidentally tear or knock off a vacuum hose or get water into an electrical connection with that pressure.

I use purple stuff from walmart and a regular garden hose sprayer and it gets it very clean.

I'll only use the pressure washer around the wheelwells, undercarriage, etc
 
Would a regular pressure washer sold at Home Depot do the job? Have had one for years from there, and use it to wash the car, but never though about using ti on the engine bay.
 
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