Hi, I am new to the world of the cav. I have a 1999 cav 4dr 2200. I have ordered the MSD coils, Accel plug wires, and NGK g-power plugs as starters for this car. I am also looking at ordering a rdfabs short ram, as soon as then answer the email I sent them. My former car was a 02 Honda civic, so I'm not completely new to the mod world. Of course, cavalier's are a whole new world ,in a way. My Vic's engine bay was clean, so I didn’t have to clean it at all. This cavi is a whole dif story though. It was my wife’s cavalier and it has been a bit neglected. We recently traded my civic for a trailblazer she drives it and I drive her cavalier now. So, now this in my project car. I need to clean the engine bay BAD especially around the spark plugs. I think the valve cover has been leaking for some time, because I was able to hand turn 3 of the cover bolts with ease. I plan on taking the valve cover off, cleaning it, and reseating it this weekend, so hopefully that will take care of some of the probs this car has. I have search and haven't found a 100% answer to my questions, and I want a 100% answer before I try something and screw something up. This is my daily driver now so I have to be careful. There are a few pics below of the engine bay and the nasty area around the plugs. Can I just spray cleaner all around the plugs and spray it off, or will that screw something up with the plugs or engine? I know I need to cover the bat, alt, air and, and coils with plastic wrap or foil , but I can't cover the plugs, because that’s where all the crap is. Also, should I take the plug wires off while I'm cleaning in this area, or should I leave them on to protect the plugs? I will be using gunk cleaner I think, so far I haven't found simple green in my area. Thank you for any help with this.
OMG it's so nasty, it needs a wash bad. sorry if pics are to big?
yea that happened to my engine. i had a bad valve cover gasket and i had gunk all over the side of the motor and by the plugs. i just took a rag and wiped all the build up off the motor
Is it safe though to spray cleaner around the plugs and spray water all around the plugs or should I avoid doing that? I wouldn't think anything could get into the engine with the plugs tight in the sockets, but I don't want to screw up the plugs.
ok, let the engine run, and spray the engine brite stuff on it. It stinks like hell but at least you know when you are done your motor will still run. If it begins to bog, back off for a second so it can regain its composure and then continue. Let it sit and eat away at all the years of built up gunk.
When you go to spray it off with the hose, keep the engine running and if it bogs back off again.
let me know!
Scott
When I boost, you boost, we boost
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You have been banned from NEJBODY.
You've displayed wayyy too many acts of pushing people to their limits.
It's never cool to tear people down for what they want to do.
NEJBODY is a team. We're not the same as JBO where everyone bashes on eachother.
I'm surprised you show up to our meets after half of the things you say on here.
That engine brite works its way into eletrical connectors and causes corrosion. Also if that stuff gets on your alternator it may damage the stator or other parts inside it, also the belt doesnt like that engine brite
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
