Work in Progress (wip) How to clean the engine bay

[Keith]

We (well I) need a how to on engine bay cleaning not something I have ever attempted myself before

I want to get the V8 looking very clean under the bonnet
First job erradicate lots of grime from a years hard use in muddy parts of Europe etc, !

Garages seem to clean them up nicely prior to sticking a car on the forecourt
What do they use surely not a pressure washer or is that ok? if used carefully

[Neil Coupland]

We (well I) need a how to on engine bay cleaning not something I have ever attempted myself before

I want to get the V8 looking very clean under the bonnet
First job erradicate lots of grime from a years hard use in muddy parts of Europe etc, !

Garages seem to clean them up nicely prior to sticking a car on the forecourt
What do they use surely not a pressure washer or is that ok? if used carefully

Steam cleaning used to be the way, but I'm not sure what modern wonders of technology are used now. What does Lates have?

[baxlin]

I was advised by a very helpful aircon expert not to have mine steamcleaned, as the steam "reached parts other methods couldn't reach", eg electric connection blocks. He advocated the Gunks of this world, with a good washing off, on the basis the engine bay was just about open to the elements anyway.

[Mike]

I was advised by a very helpful aircon expert not to have mine steamcleaned, as the steam "reached parts other methods couldn't reach", eg electric connection blocks. He advocated the Gunks of this world, with a good washing off, on the basis the engine bay was just about open to the elements anyway.

Wot plus wrap all your electrical connectors in a plastic bag, apply the gunk and hose off with water.

[andy]

Then let it dry, or take it for a run,and then apply liberal amounts of WD40 from all angles! especially the electrical bits and connectors.
also it helps if you have a warm (not hot ) engine when you start
let the degreaser soak for a bit and be prepared to do the really bad bits more than once
NB WD40 in 5 litres about £12.50 or less on offer. well worth it
Andy

[rover]

Hi Andy,
What is the source for WD40 at the price you quote.
Rover

[Tim]

We (well I) need a how to on engine bay cleaning not something I have ever attempted myself before

I want to get the V8 looking very clean under the bonnet
First job erradicate lots of grime from a years hard use in muddy parts of Europe etc, !

Garages seem to clean them up nicely prior to sticking a car on the forecourt
What do they use surely not a pressure washer or is that ok? if used carefully

Sorry Keith but you need to do it the hard way slowly and with a damp cloth. The ford engine does not take kindly to pressure and water. Best to do a section at a time. The lower half will be okay with the bottom tray off but from the short up need elbow lard.:D

Duriglit the ali, comes up nice and shiney, yes yes yes shiney. My little preshusssss!!!

[andy]

Hi Andy,
What is the source for WD40 at the price you quote.
Rover

Sorry probably guilty of false information there
I bought two 5 litres from a trade cash and carry in Bristol in the summer for £12.65 + vat each, there was a big stack of it so it was probably a special offer. But 12.65 is 14.86 with vat so sorry again - false promises !
Andy

[MGOracle]

Then let it dry, or take it for a run,and then apply liberal amounts of WD40 from all angles! especially the electrical bits and connectors.
also it helps if you have a warm (not hot ) engine when you start
let the degreaser soak for a bit and be prepared to do the really bad bits more than once
NB WD40 in 5 litres about £12.50 or less on offer. well worth it
Andy

Why would you want to do this? Thats just going to attract dirt straight back again.

No need for WD40 these days, just don't be a retard and avoid electrical components. Even better, do it with the engine running.

[Rich]

Steam cleaning used to be the way, but I'm not sure what modern wonders of technology are used now. What does Lates have?

Employees :laughing2:

(only joking guys, couldn't resist, what with his super clean overalls and all that ;))

[crofts]

Why would you want to do this? Thats just going to attract dirt straight back again.

No need for WD40 these days, just don't be a retard and avoid electrical components. Even better, do it with the engine running.

I swear by WD 40. Been spraying my CDTi for 31/2 years now and it keeps the engine compartment like new without attracting much dirt. Electrics rarely give trouble as it prevents corrosion in connectors etc. The aluminium parts don't get that furry corrosion either. Plastic parts have a nice finish also. Spray & close bonnet. Look 2 days later & see the difference.:lol:
I also buy the 5 litre and the'free' spray bottle is excellent.

[Lates]

Missed that one Mr Rich....... :pillow: hows my googling coming on ;)

[Jules]

Any pics of these clean engine bays then chaps?

Also another couple good products I can recommend are:

Duck oil
Silicone grease in aerosol form (seems to linger longer than WD)

[COLVERT]

I swear by WD 40. Been spraying my CDTi for 31/2 years now and it keeps the engine compartment like new without attracting much dirt. Electrics rarely give trouble as it prevents corrosion in connectors etc. The aluminium parts don't get that furry corrosion either. Plastic parts have a nice finish also. Spray & close bonnet. Look 2 days later & see the difference.:lol:
I also buy the 5 litre and the'free' spray bottle is excellent.
Absolutely correct and needs to be said again for other readers. Preventative maintenance is KING. Don't even give that corrosion a chance to start.:group:

[StevenWilliams]

WD50 5l £21.52

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/32927/Van-Car-Accessories/Car-Lubricants/WD40-Spray-Applicator-5L

I also use it a lot and it does not attract or hold dirt.

[carcass]

It's in Portuguese, but I know that you'll find some google translate or altavista Babelfish to the rescue...

http://www.detalhe.net/forum/processos-e-detalhe-em-geral/10601-how-limpeza-condicionamento-de-motores.html

enjoy!

[Keith]

Very informative
Thank you

[billybhoy]

excellent job, thats the way an engine bay should look,
well done.

Billy

[Kandyman]

Nice work there,

Heres a link to a translated page, It's not 100% but close :)

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http://www.detalhe.net/forum/processos-e-detalhe-em-geral/10601-how-limpeza-condicionamento-de-motores.html&lp=pt_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

[stevemac]

Heres a link to a translated page, It's not 100% but close :)


Not sure that it is even close, but highly amusing nonetheless :D

fustigated by the dirtiness :D :shrug:

E now, that the works are initiate - Hang on that's not Polish, it's Yorkshire

[carlpenn]

Heres my Engine Bay, I used a Hose pipe with slow running water, Auto Glym Degreaser, Paint brushes, Cloths, Auto Glym Rubber and Vinyl care, Auto Glym Wheel Shine and a can of Carplan Silicone Dash shine !!!

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/imagehosting/18104885a1ccc0ad5.jpg

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/imagehosting/181048b3b10fd9508.jpg


This was the first clean the engine bay had and it came up very well.

[carcass]

Heres my Engine Bay, I used a Hose pipe with slow running water, Auto Glym Degreaser, Paint brushes, Cloths, Auto Glym Rubber and Vinyl care, Auto Glym Wheel Shine and a can of Carplan Silicone Dash shine !!!(...).


All well, but I think you should really avoid any silicone type spray on that, it seems ok for the first km's (errr miles:) ), but then you start getting huge amounts of dust "magnetic" glued on everything... so in my experience silicone is a no-no (on everything)

about the page I've seen that google does a "better" job translating, although even in Portuguese there are some grammatical and/or spell errors hence the bad translation!:p:

the link:
http://translate.google.pt/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.detalhe.net%2Fforum%2 Fprocessos-e-detalhe-em-geral%2F10601-how-limpeza-condicionamento-de-motores.html&sl=pt&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

and what about this one on a jag...

http://translate.google.pt/translate?hl=pt-PT&sl=pt&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.detalhe.net%2Fforum%2Fshow-off%2F6387-nova-alma-no-jaguar-xj-detalhe-ao-motor.html

Kindest regards from Portugal!

[carlpenn]

All well, but I think you should really avoid any silicone type spray on that, it seems ok for the first km's (errr miles:) ), but then you start getting huge amounts of dust "magnetic" glued on everything... so in my experience silicone is a no-no (on everything)

about the page I've seen that google does a "better" job translating, although even in Portuguese there are some grammatical and/or spell errors hence the bad translation!:p:

the link:
http://translate.google.pt/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.detalhe.net%2Fforum%2 Fprocessos-e-detalhe-em-geral%2F10601-how-limpeza-condicionamento-de-motores.html&sl=pt&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

and what about this one on a jag...

http://translate.google.pt/translate?hl=pt-PT&sl=pt&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.detalhe.net%2Fforum%2Fshow-off%2F6387-nova-alma-no-jaguar-xj-detalhe-ao-motor.html

Kindest regards from Portugal!
I use the silicone spray on rubber seals etc, I find in winter it reduces sticking issues (especially on door seals) -- Silicone spray rarely goes within engine area per se (should have made that clearer :) ) Check the Plenum covers and rubber seal and you will see where the silicone spray comes into its own.

[carcass]

Ok, I see now, and I know that all of the rubbers, etc. get dark very fast again but don't they (the trims etc...) turn "whitish" again after some time?

do try if you can, some of "Einszett Gummi Pflege Stift" - 'Rubber Care Stick' or maybe "Poorboys Trim Restorer" if you can find it over there, if not they're on-line on http://store.carcareeurope.com/home.php?cat=10 and see for yourself the difference.

note that I am not in any circumstance connected to that site, it's just from where I order my stuff!

best regards

[carlpenn]

Ok, I see now, and I know that all of the rubbers, etc. get dark very fast again but don't they (the trims etc...) turn "whitish" again after some time?

best regards

I haven't had that, my door seals haven't been done in several months and they are still a lovely black soft shiny colour - I am trying to find a way of keeping the Bonnet Soundproofing clean, thats a toughy lol (in case you know of anything ;) )

Im a bit of a clean freak when it comes to the 75 - Utilising crazy ideas such as Cotton Wool buds, Paint brushes and even cans of air to get the dust out of those "Hard to reach" areas :D

Will check the site when SWMBO isn't around, I get into trouble for buying too much stuff for my 75 ;) :p

It is a nice feeling when your Neighbours comment on how your car looks like it has just left the showroom :D

[black olive]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/steve3452/PICT3118.jpg


doesnt look quite as ood now- as there is now black waxoyl on most of the chassis components

[James.uk]

My personal experience with WD40 is that a week after you use it, it has dried everything out and it is starting to allow rust to form! :shrug:

I only ever use silicone spray as it puts a protective coating on almost anything and stops things sticking to one another. I also use it on the front of my car in summer as it makes removing all the dead icky wickies easier.. :)

But.. I am not a big fan of cleaning engines of any sort, in many cases engine oil prevents rust setting in. :D
.

[2Diesels]

Permission to be a clever NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-:D WD40 means water dispersant 40 days ;)

[Dragrad]

My personal experience with WD40 is that a week after you use it, it has dried everything out and it is starting to allow rust to form! :shrug:

I only ever use silicone spray as it puts a protective coating on almost anything and stops things sticking to one another. I also use it on the front of my car in summer as it makes removing all the dead icky wickies easier.. :)

But.. I am not a big fan of cleaning engines of any sort, in many cases engine oil prevents rust setting in. :D
.
I agree :wss: Oops, I meant:wot: :D:D

[carcass]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/steve3452/PICT3118.jpg


doesnt look quite as ood now- as there is now black waxoyl on most of the chassis components


YOU SHOW OFF !!!!! lol

If only your cars would have the wheel on the other side :drool4:
U know, sadly the V8 never came to Portugal, so If I want to import one (and I've seen many many times some German ones), the price to import it it's just ridiculous!

The CO2 and cc3 transform for instance one 17.500€ car available at Germany to circa 40.000€ after taxes:mad:

But I dream maybe someday i can get one!!! nice one black olive!!!

[stevemac]

Permission to be a clever NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-:D WD40 means water dispersant 40 days ;)

I think the 40 refers to the formula number. It was number 40 that they decided to market.

[Ken]

WD40 was first sold back in 1965/6 and I worked in a Motor Factors at the time. We took delivery of three or four dozen cans as nobody knew if it would sell.

It was marketed in the UK by a company called Cadulac Chemicals and they told us the 40 was the USA formula number and the WD stood for War Department. I have no idea if that is true but War dept 40 was marked on the boxes in stencil. The cans themselves were very much the same as today but they were not painted but the label was wrapped around the cans and came off very easily. In fact we had to reglue all the labels before sending them out to garages. Within months we were taking delivery of cases and cases of the stuff.

Ken

EDIT just realised I am posting about WD40 on Christmas day..........how sad is that