Being a clean freak for my cars, I wanted to know if you can rinse down the 2.0 on the SS. I realize you can't powerwash or put lots of presure on any motor but I would like to clean it up a bit. I always detail all my engines and it takes it to the next step as far as appearance goes. I know that on the older corvette engines that had the opti-spark you didn't want to get them wet. Is there anything to worry about on the 2008 HHR SS ? Thanks

 

Simple green works great and hose off and blow dry.

 

I've detailed my engine bay several times. I like the engine to be a little warm but not hot. If I can put my fingers on the valve cover near where the oil fill cap is located and feel that it is warm to the touch, but not so hot that I can't leave my fingers there, I know its perfect. Then use some aluminum foil or a plastic grocery bag to cover up the alternator and fuse box. I use a microfiber to get any loose dust off the engine. Then spray with Simple Green Motorsports Cleaner & Degreaser. Let it sit, agitate extra dirty areas with a brush. Rinse with the garden hose and repeat if necessary. I use my electric leaf blower to blow all of the water that collects (really bad on the intake manifold). Wipe dry with a microfiber then top it off with some CD2 Engine Detailer. Looks showroom new and I have never had any problems with electronics or anything else.

 

I think cleaning is a good idea.... Wish I could do that to the Lumina but it's too far gone...don't know how you could clean it without gallons of simple green and thousands of paper towels... I try to just wipe down the engine and get the dirt off of it on the HHR when I wash it...nothing special, but I figure doing that will help keep it from accumulating.

 

^^^^^ Very detailed instructions. Nice!!

 

I'm guessing you're referring to the post above mine...

 

I'd never think twice about Gunking and rinsing down my engines in the '70s and '80s with the proper precautions. As tempermental as these things are today in regard to electronic and electrical components (geeze, many have electrical problems, even when they're kept dry), I wouldn't go near bringing water under the hood of my HHR by design. I keep mine clean via dry means, but this means that it must be maintained. I use compressed air and/or vaccuums, but even those are controlled.

 

Agee care must be used as a lot of electronics can be damaged today if you do not use care.

I tend to favor the low pressue controld water cleaning vs high pressure. A little fantastic and water only.

Todays engines do not get the oil and grease of the old engines.

 

Odd man out here, but I've always blasted my cars engines while running at the self-serve car wash with the power spray. No problems, ever.

 

Same here always at the self-serve carwashes!..... Not every single time I go but enough to keep my engine clean:) and never any problems!