Engine Cleaning

[chantrys]

Because we haven't had rain here in Sydney for the past 15 odd years (maybe an exaggeration) I seem to be collecting a lot of dust rather than mud on my shiny new disco.

Now, whilst it is easy to clean the bodywork, I am wondering how much you can spray under the bonnet to get rid of dust and dirt? The motor is a TD5.

Many thanks,
Chantry's

[bigbugga]

With mine being a V8 I have to be carefull with the water.

I normally use a spray bottle and brush to clean the worst out of the engine bay before getting the hose.

Always carefull not to directly spray the electrics and spark plugs ETC.

Have never had a problem

[Shifter]

I have a Disco 97 TDI, regulary use the servo washing facilities and the HP engine wash. The only thing I do is to coat all of my electrical connections with fish oil. keeps the engine bay clean and oil free and to date has done no harm.
Shifter.

[drivesafe]

Hi Chantrys, I had a 97 TDi and 2001 TD5 and have 2002 HSE, as they have all been diesels the only thing I watch out for is geting anything in the air intake and I never use anything stronger than straight carwash ( NOT wash & wax ). I usually wash the engine bay in the morning when every thing is cold. Never had a problem.
Regards 8)

[drivesafe]

By the way, I use a dust pan brush ( the wife hates me ) to scrub the engine bay and a garden hose to rinse it off. 8)

[shaunp]

I clean my V8 with normal degrease and a pressure washer and then spray a bit of wd40 around, just don't flood the alternator, distributor and airflow meter. Been doing it for 6 years.

[Defender200Tdi]

I'm with Shaun on this one. I've always used normal degreaser and a pressure washer, just trying (not always successfully) to avoid the alternator, distributor and air intake etc. I then go over the electrical bits with a good blast from the air hose to dry it off before hitting it with the WD40. Last thing I do is go for a decent drive to get it all well up to operating temp for a few minutes to help it all dry off.


Paul style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[drivesafe]

Hi Gents, just a little warning, WD40 and the likes are not good news around alternators or motors as it can dissolve the lacquer on the windings. You are far better off using a lanolin based spray. It has no effects on windings, lubricates well and lasts much, much, much longer.
Regards

[rmp]

CT-18 is amazing. Spray it on, leave it a while, sprinkle water and watch as your engine bay becomes cleaner than an operating theatre.