[ArrereGarhync]

In the process of selling my 04 Accord Coupe V6 and decided to clean the engine a bit to give it a bit more selling edge. Was nervous as hell for doing this, havent' done it since my 88 Ford POS Ranger and that engine was about as basic as you could get. Honda engines are a bit more "wired" so I did some major forum searching so I didn't fry a 3 grand engine

Ok, I just went ahead and did it, frying or killing the engine be damned



Picked this up at Wal-Mart for like $2. Supposedly better then the other stuff cause the gel "sticks" to the dirt and then takes it away after rinsing. I put plastic bags over the intake/air sensor, alternator and anything else that looks like it wouldn't like some water.

Warning Notice:


According to the label, this stuff is pretty nasty. DO NOT squirt this on a hot engine! I was amazed at just after 1 mile of driving on a cold engine how hot my exhaust manifold was, it made a real nice sizzling sound and stunk like hell. Its a major fire hazard so don't even try it. Also, keep your mouth closed and wear some eye protection, you don't want this stuff in your eyes or mouth. Be sure to also wash the entire front end of your vehicle as you WILL splash some of this on your paint/windshield and I don't imagine its good for your clearcoat.

Holding my breath, I fired up the power washer and $5 in quarters later....

Well, I think the results speak for themselves. My engine may not have been disgustingly dirty, but it wasn't clean either. The before photo was several months ago, *forgot to take updated before photo* :doh: so it was even dirtier before I washed it, especially after a 800 mile roadtrip and Montana winter. Just an FYI.

Was REALLY nervous after rinsing it, so I held my breath again and turned the key. Engine fired right up and water started to sizzle off the engine PHEW!! [yes]:I drove on the highway for about 20 miles to get it to dry off and get rid of the gel gunk stink out of the ventilation.

Now it just needs a good armor all and hopefully I can sell it and get my new Civic Coupe [thumbup]


BEFORE



AFTER

[KkJvrG4d]

To be honest, I cant really tell between the before and after shot aside from the black plastic on the front that a paper towel and some windex could not remedy.


I cant imagine it was worth the risk and time, not to mention $7 dollars....

[ArrereGarhync]

To be honest, I cant really tell between the before and after shot aside from the black plastic on the front that a paper towel and some windex could not remedy.


I cant imagine it was worth the risk and time, not to mention $7 dollars....

Yeah well like I said, I forgot to take and update before photo, so it was even dirtier then shown.

Plus, every bit helps when your trying to sell a car.

[yovbQVpD]

Well, it depends. Personally I'd prefer to see a normal (dirty) engine with no oil leaks than an obviously just cleaned engine with no oil leaks.

I steam clean my engine now and again, but that's for my benefit.

Glad you like it, but it can make some people suspicious, it's a fairly common trick to disguise leaks.

[Dominick Yo]

I can tell.

First picture looks a bit washed and a bit duller than the after picture.

And I've never seen a 3.0 vtec engine before.

[intifatry]

I gotta agree, much prefer to see a dirty engine then I can tell that nothings being hidden, cleaning it like that makes it look like your trying to hide something. Good job though nonetheless [thumbup]

[TaxSheemaSter]

the pics don't really show up well but it does look cleaner

[Dominick Yo]

On the topic of engine cleaning, I usually just wipe it down.

Unless I had an engine to shout out about e.g. RB26 with shiny parts from induction kits/wires/hose then yeah I'd go to the extent of cleaning it, but if it's standard I just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

[ArrereGarhync]

I can tell.

First picture looks a bit washed and a bit duller than the after picture.

And I've never seen a 3.0 vtec engine before.

Really? Wow, where have you been? Thats the "older" 3.0 L J30A4 V6 model that puts out 244hp. The new Accords have the 3.5L J35Z2 V6 engine and pump out 268hp

[ArrereGarhync]

On the topic of engine cleaning, I usually just wipe it down.

Unless I had an engine to shout out about e.g. RB26 with shiny parts from induction kits/wires/hose then yeah I'd go to the extent of cleaning it, but if it's standard I just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

Not just for looks, clean engines run cooler and you get dirtier less working on them.

[Oppofeescom]

dumb question, but how the heck do you change teh plugs in it. or where are they. under the plastic part, I.e. on top of teh head?

[ArrereGarhync]

dumb question, but how the heck do you change teh plugs in it. or where are they. under the plastic part, I.e. on top of teh head?

Plugs are under the protective cover

[greekbeast]

I win

[ArrereGarhync]

I win

Yep, you do. Ahh good old 4th gen Accords, I miss mine.

Which bottle of cleaner did you get to upgrade your intake to CAI?

[greekbeast]

umm I think it was called AEM

[ArrereGarhync]

umm I think it was called AEM

Lol, smart ass.

[avitalporatova]

Plugs are under the protective cover

The red thing?

They aren't were the black wires that lead to the little square things on the valve covers? That is how it was with my I4 Accord. You take that off, and then there was like a 6" extension wire that reached the plug.

[ArrereGarhync]

The red thing?

They aren't were the black wires that lead to the little square things on the valve covers? That is how it was with my I4 Accord. You take that off, and then there was like a 6" extension wire that reached the plug.

If you look my pictures vs that one, you can see I was talking about the black cover, not the "red" manifold cover that someone painted on a different engine.

[avitalporatova]

Oh, ok. Yeah I understand now.
Now long did it take you to do yours?

Might be neat to do it to my vehicles.

There is a lot of treatment stuff that I am going to be doing my next oil change, and this could end up being one of them if I feel in the mood.