I am new to cars in general, not young (well not teen) but have been an aging bicycle mechanic, 7 years. Anyways, I am getting back to my love of the automobile, today I started pulling my water pump for replacement. My question is what do you recommend for general engine/bay cleaning? How about more specific things like cleaning off the block for the new gasket? I think I may pull my throttle body and give it a good cleaning. There has been a lot of leakage on the block which I am undetermined as to the cause, whats the best way to get it clean to watch for leakage?

I appreciate any help I can get,
Thanks,
Bink

 

Gasket scraper and some razor blades. Brake cleaner.

General degreaser - Purple Power.

:wabbit2:

 

x2 on purple power, i did my whole engbay and engine when i pulled the motor from mine.

 

And what just spray it down with degreaser and pressure wash it? How about technique?

Thanks!

 

Cover any vital electronic(TPS) with a baggy. I wouldn't pressure wash the top of the engine, I use a garden hose and simple green the purple kind safe for bare metals.

 

There was a guy on here awhile ago who posted a link to a honda website about using wd40 and a toothbrush. It actually turned out awesome looking. Really cleaned things up and made the aluminum and rubber look like new. I'm sure the shine doesn't last long but it looked good.