Engine Bay Cleaning

[tommo9375]

Bought some 'gunk' degreaser today and have never pressure washed an engine bay before- so i've noticed there are lots of electrical connectors in there,so what is the important ones to cover up and what with?

1 : Altenator

2 ; Alarm

3 ; PIAA foglight control box

4 ?

5 ?

Can you advise me on anything else please,cheers.

[euan_r]

i knackered my alternator but i went completely mad with the power washer. watch out for fins on intercooler/radiator they are soft. ive power washed engine bay tons of times now and not had any probs with electric connectors just the alternator but i was spraying it directly with power washer. bit of grease/ copper slip back on to earth points on battery and chassis to protect them after.

[tommo9375]

Cheers Euan ,was going to wrap up the altenator with cling-film -better remember to take it off when i,m finished!!

[superstar_tradesman]

I would never pressure wash an engine, use a steam cleaner.

[scoobyiain]

yep steam clean for me or good old elbow grease.

[Bugeye29]

have a look at this guide asit says never use a pressure washer as it drives the water in a garden hose with it set to a heavy mist if u know what a mean will do

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_engine.html

anywayz a followed the guide heres how a got on

Edited May 18, 2008 by Bugeye29

[tommo9375]

  Bugeye29 said:

have a look at this guide asit says never use a pressure washer as it drives the water in a garden hose with it set to a heavy mist if u know what a mean will do

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_engine.html

anywayz a followed the guide heres how a got on

Looks good mate,what product did you use.Ithink i'll use teh garden hose to be on the safe sied and apply the degreaser with a brush and some elbow grease.

[Bugeye29]

  tommo9375 said:

Looks good mate,what product did you use.Ithink i'll use teh garden hose to be on the safe sied and apply the degreaser with a brush and some elbow grease.

honestly the degreaser does all the work the hose just rinses it off , spray it on and use a paint brush to rub it in , a used to use gunk but it stinks for days a use autoglym engine cleaner doesnt smell much , then spray engine dressing onit to get the shine if u dont do that after cleaning a find u get a white residue

[tommo9375]

  Bugeye29 said:

honestly the degreaser does all the work the hose just rinses it off , spray it on and use a paint brush to rub it in , a used to use gunk but it stinks for days a use autoglym engine cleaner doesnt smell much , then spray engine dressing onit to get the shine if u dont do that after cleaning a find u get a white residue

I'll try the 'gunk' and give it a good rinse off and hopefully it won't stink too much!

[euan_r]

i used power washer as i had burnt on waxoyl protecting engine but wanted to see if the was any leaks. steams just as bad as power washer.

it may also be worth covering steering uj as there is no nipple.

[tommo9375]

  euan_r said:

i used power washer as i had burnt on waxoyl protecting engine but wanted to see if the was any leaks. steams just as bad as power washer.

it may also be worth covering steering uj as there is no nipple.

What is steering uj ?

[euan_r]

the universal joint between steering column and rack

[tommo9375]

Ok silly me!!

[colzo]

Have a look at my engine bay here mate.

[C_WRX]

  COLZO said:

Have a look at my engine bay here mate.

Was going to say Colzo did a lovely engine bay clean up a while back...and there he appears.

Just no no no to pressure washing, push water where it shouldn't go. Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but try not have the engine bay facing strong (ocassionally we get that in Scotland!) direct sunlight as you don't want gunk/etc to dry in.

Good luck, will look good I'm sure, get the pics up on the finished article.

[tommo9375]

Cheers lads,don't think it wil look that good but give it a go!