308QV Airbox-How to clean?

I assume you're referring to the red "Ferrari - QV" intake plenum on top of the engine, and not the black airbox (stamped "Ferrari - UFI" in white) on the passenger-side of the engine, correct? If so, then WD-40 and a shop rag works wonderfully on all these surfaces. It's great for cleaning and shining up the plug wires, rubber hoses / boots / cables, etc. too. As long as the red crinkle paint on the plenum is not cracked, dry and flaking off (which is typical on these models), you should be just fine with gently cleaning with the WD-40.

 

Erics suggestion is a good choice, or just soapy water (you can use car wash soap or dish soap). Do *NOT* use a strong cleaner/solvent like Simple Green -- it will start to take off the white paint of the logo silkscreen. (grrr)

 

I slightly warm the engine, spray with a light mist of water, spray simple green, let stand, lightly rinse with water, go for a spirited drive to self-steam clean the engine.

 

Simple Green is ok on the plenum... NOT on the silkscreened airbox.

 

Black stains on the red rubber spark plug wire shrouds (on my 308 QV) will not wash out with alcohol, acetone, WD40, soap, Gojo, nothing. They look awful. What can I use to get this black staining out??

 

I woulda said mineral spirits- its usually a very safe solvent to use - almost anywhere on a car. WD 40 is mostly that- min spirits.

 

WD 40 is actually fish oil - it's even edible, but it will not take out the black stains. Consider that acetone is about the harshest solvent you'd care to bring anywhere near a Ferrari and yet not even this touches the stains - and luckily, it doesn't dissolve the rubber either. I also tried turning the tubes inside out - its very nice red inside. But too hard to go beyond 6 inches. Any other ideas, fellas?

 

You may get some NO NO NO on this, but while the engine is (completely) cold, this should work... Laquer Thinner on a rag. It doesn't take much. Don't rub it in hard, just swipe across the black spot with a rag. Just use a small enough amount on a rag- and don't rub it in- gently swipe it across. Remember that the first swipe will put the black on the rag, so use another area of the rag for the second swipe, and so on- until it is gone.

 

I have found that I use a lot of products designed for motorcycles on my Ferrari. The Bel-Ray engine cleaner works great in the engine compartment and the various brands of motorcycle plastic and rubber cleaners/polishers work great too.

 

WD-40 and effort.

 

WEll, guess its OK on a cold engine, but man, cover the entire painted car surface with a heavy duty tarp, or you risk paint removel!!

LT contains toluene, and acetone- powerful paint dissolvers. Also, evaporate too quickly- thats why I said Min spirits. Also, Toluene is an aromatic compound- cancer stuff- who needs to inhale, right?

Say Mineral Spirits 3 times......