having got this far it is time to brave the engine bay.
now normally I'm a firm believer in keeping it shut and leaving it to more mechanically minded people - after all, if you were supposed to open it , there would be another handle on it. But I have been inspired by user 129c to get busy in the engine compartment.
So begins a mini project - project Engine Bay.
Firstly, I washed it out with a bucket and sponge gently and applied gunk liberally:
Brushed it out good and proper, rinsed and took it for a drive to dry out. I was daunted by the task at this point and if I'm honest I went looking for a steam cleaner place, but when i found he wanted 15 quid, i suddenly got the bit between my teeth again.
So, back again, and onto the varying bits of paintwork that never see the light of day with ultimate compound.
Sadly my engine bay has been a working mans engine bay, the paint is horrifically scratched, and the slam panel is quite pitted and scarred with surface corrosion. But there is still scope for improvement:
moving along that side of the engine bay, the paintwork cleans up but is damaged badly in many places:
The shuts at the side of the bonnet have come up better :
as has the side to the bonnet, oft neglected:
So the quick wins:
and now of course, the plastics in the engine bay. Well back to black is good enough for me - i used black in a flash (matt) by turtlewax in the end, cheap and cheerful.
battery box and fuse box, plus air cleaner:
expansion tank:
Scuttle Panels:
Engine cover, plus new V6 badge courtesy of Paul 129c again!
upper inlet manifold:
All in all, not a bad start to the work. I have started using autosol on the aircon pipes too, but more about that tomorrow.