How To Clean The C8 Corvette’s Engine Compartment
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The C8 Corvette Stingray introduces a fresh mid-engine layout for the iconic American sports car, breaking from decades of tradition. Naturally, many fans will want a peek at the new powerplant, so it makes sense to want to keep it clean. Now, GM Authority is detailing the do’s and don’ts of cleaning the C8 Corvette’s engine compartment.
Per the C8 Corvette owner’s manual, there are a few things to be careful about when cleaning under the hood of the latest eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette. For starters, owners should avoid using solvents and aggressive cleaners, as they may actually cause harm to underhood components.
Rather, owners should only use water when washing the engine comparment. A pressure washer can be used as well, but with a few caveats. For starters, water pressure must be kept below 2,000 psi, while the water temperature should be below 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
C8 Corvette customers should exercise caution when using a pressure washer under the hood, keeping the nozzle at least a foot away from all surfaces, as well as keeping the nozzle at a 40-degree wide angle spray pattern, or wider. Finally, owners should pay attention to any components under the hood that have a symbol indicating that they should not be pressure washed, as seen below:
As a reminder, the Chevy Corvette Stingray is motivated by the naturally aspirated 6.2l V8 LT2 gasoline engine, which is rated at 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the factory performance exhaust system. All that output is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Under the sexy exterior, the C8 Corvette rides on the mid-engine Y2 platform. Production of the eighth-generation Corvette takes place exclusively at the GM Bowling Green plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
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I do wish this had been posted earlier. Anyway, I used a pressure washer and have no complaints. I covered the trunk area with a couple boards wrapped in a towel. I did use the same soap I use on the car body. I did this with a cold engine. I live where it is extremely dry and knew after rinsing it would evaporate.
And I was not agressive, just very quick, very light , very brief. It looked much better. You have to presume the engine can get wet. The rear lid has holes in it, in the rain it gets wet. But I have not seen one of those symbols with an X saying no pressure wash. I will look again, but can anyone tell me where it says no pressure wash?
For the record, I changed my own oil last week, will change my own tranny filter, have had the wheels off and will do brakes soon ( low dust brake pads) , the car is easy to work on. Maybe I got lucky on the engine wash. I will be looking for those symbols, I use a gas powered washer, but the gentle nozzle for engine, so it is likely low enough. You do not want to hover over the engine and push water where you do not want water. Good Luck everyone ! Look for and join a nationally sanctioned Corvette Club.
Where do you place the floor jack to lift the car to place jack stands on the lift pucks? Please email me directly. Thanks.
Bill, cannot figure out to contact directly. I use 2 floor jacks ( lowxprofile, long reach), at the rear, very little lift needed in inches. I placed two jack stands under each lower control arm close to the tire, under but not touching. The floor jacks kept the car up, the jack stands were to protect me, many people are using blocks of wood under the tires to hold car up, I will probably build some. I did this in my small garage. I wish I could show you the picture.
Yes you only have the four lift points, I have aluminum pucks bolted in on the four spots, and I only lift there, I wish I could figure out how to get the car on jack stands. I may end up with a quick jack because it lifts on the pucks .
I’ve been using “Race Ramp” – “Flat Stoppers” the last few years and haven’t had any problems. You don’t even need a Jack, just line the ramps up where you want the car to sit and back onto them, good til Spring. I’ve also used Wheel Jacks, they have 2 rollers that fit on either side of the tire and pump it up with your foot til the tire is off the floor. Twice the cost of the Flat Stoppers”. Just my 2 cents
Ron,
On the ’til the Spring’:
Well, that doesn’t solve the flat spots on the tires that you might develop by not rotating/turning the wheels once in a while. That’s why some prefer to put the whole car on jacks and/or also remove them. I also wax the brake rotor surfaces to prevent possible corrosion.
I think axle grease would work better to prevent corrosion on the rotors.
Cheap wax burns/wears right off and has very little ‘wear off time.’ Grease takes a lot longer, -unless you take the time to clean it off yourself. Paint can build up on the pads.
But the Flat Stoppers are still better than just letting them sit on the floor under pressure Ron, -you’re right, there…
Surprised you took the axle grease comment seriously. Nonetheless, putting wax on a brake rotor is just wrong. Some waxes may wear or burn off easily – others not so much. And… while it is wearing or burning off – it’s actually embedding in the pads.
John: Is your comment genuinely ” for real ” on putting axle grease on brake rotors ?
You gotta be joshing us.
Congrats David. At least you realized that it was meant to be bizarre. I wouldn’t put grease on a brake rotor any more than I would wax.
I bought a set of Quick Jacks. And use the lift pucks.
After washing people are using leaf blowers to push water away . A no touch way to get into places a towel cannot.
I rinse with deionized water and dry with a leaf blower. I’m old school and am very cautious with a pressure washer anywhere near my vehicles.
I use the Bend Pak XPR10A to lift my Stingray.
I use a garden backpack sprayer with 20 volt battery half filled with distilled water and then blow the water off with a backpack leaf blower. I also keep a high quality feather duster in the rear trunk for on the spot engine, wheel and rear of car dusting. I have a 2020 C8 Blade Silver Metallic with black rimmed wheels.
None of the above read like a Concours d’ Elegance approach. Then again, seeing a new C8 displayed at a car show is ,IMO, ludicrous.
Opinions are like rectums – everyone has one. Different strokes…
No pressure washers for this or any modern vehicle! I am a professional detailer and refuse to use a pressure washer or hose under the hood! Too many electrical components, modules, etc. I have detailed a hand full of C8s so far, they are one of the easiest trunk and frunk cleanings of any vehicle on the road today! The smooth plastic covers/enclosures make it so easy to clean and detail! The new Blazer even has a no pressure washer logo embossed on the inside of the hood.
Dan: Absolutely and totally agree with you. Pressure washer on an engine is a killer to electrical components and wiring. My suggestion and what I use are spray on and squirt on high end parts cleaners by K&N, Mothers, Meguiars. Spray or squirt on specified areas not designated off limits. Then wipe residue with a cloth.
I’ve seen people at self clean coin operated car washes use pressure soap and rinse in their engine compartments and when finished cannot start their vehicle.
Also suggest plastic wrap around alternator to shield from parts cleaner overspray or oversquirt.
The race tack by the museum was severely damaged.
Victortia: Glad about no fatalities at the Corvette plant and museum. Could have been like the candle factory.
Since delivery in April 2021, the power wash of the engine and back window on my C8 have never had issue. Power wash on low 1600 with 45 degree angle and without soap. Don’t stick screwdrivers in live wall outlets and don’t power wash the electrical or liquid filled areas of the engine compartment. The painted engine parts can be done carefully. Then wipe dry with clean cloth. I use a leaf blower on the entire engine bay after the wash as dry time is cut to a quick job. Don’t blow dry your hair while sitting in the bath tub and don’t wash the engine while its hot. There, I hope my input saves a few folks out there.