cleaning the engine bay

[Xavie]

Just looking for some advice on cleaning the engine and surrounds. It's a 300Tdi.

I spilt a little bit of oil and coolant on it and it's just generally a bit dirty and mucky.

I was wondering if I can just use my usual truck cleaning stuff which I put on it externally with the high pressure washer and then rinse it off?

If I do this is there any thing I need to steer clear of?

Or should I be sponging it on?

Thanks in advance,
Xav

P.s. I've done a bit of a search and found alittle info but just wanted to clarify what I found elsewhere.

[Sprint]

best way ive found is a foam type fire extinguisher loaded up with truckwash and water, foam the engine bay down, and hook in with the pressure washer, dont spend too much time around anything electronic though

[catch-22]

only use a product that is PH neutral. Your corrosive engine bay components will thank you for it later...

[Disco_owner]

I know I might get shot for this , but I spray Petrol around the engine bay area where There is oil leaking or it's just weeping oil , then I hit it with air gun cleans it all off , Just make sure you have a carboard box flat under the Engine bay so your concrete path doesn't get oily , I even do this around the Ball Joints , It eats thru Oil like anything , make aluminum surfaces look brand spanking new:) just don't drive the car immidiately after the clean until some of the fuel evaporates , leave the Bonnet open for a while.:D:D:D

[RobHay]

I know I might get shot for this , but I spray Petrol around the engine bay area where is is oil leaking or it's just wheeping oil , then I hit it with air gun cleans it all off , Just make sure you have a carboard box flat under the Engine bay so your concrete path doesn't get oily , I even do this around the Ball Joints , It eats thru Oil like anything , make aluminum surfaces look brand spanking new:) just don't drive the car immidiately after the clean until some of the fuel evaporates , leave the Bonnet open for a while.:D:D:D



.....and whatever you do, when finished, don't light up a fag....:firedevil:

[Xavie]

Even after doing the petrol can I still rinse with water or not?

[Disco_owner]

Even after doing the petrol can I still rinse with water or not?


you can , but the idea is so you don't spray any water around your engine bay area , Petrol Should clean most it off pretty much.;)

[lokka]

The 2 buck cans of super cheap degreaser work a treat i use 2 cans use the first one to wet everything down amd let sit for 20 min the hit again with the second and maby a brush for the stuborn stuff the blast off with the high pressure hose and taking care to to dose anything electrical to heavly :D

[lokka]

The 2 buck cans of super cheap degreaser work a treat i use 2 cans use the first one to wet everything down amd let sit for 20 min the hit again with the second and maby a brush for the stuborn stuff the blast off with the high pressure hose and taking care not to dose anything electrical to heavly :D

[B92 8NW]

I have a paranoia about high pressure water going past seals etc. Once I've sprayed it with diluted degreaser, I use clean water in a 5L weed sprayer.

I love those sprayers:D. One for degreasing, rinsing, filling manual boxes, the kubota portals, hydraulics... cheap from bunnings.

[scarry]

The 2 buck cans of super cheap degreaser work a treat i use 2 cans use the first one to wet everything down amd let sit for 20 min the hit again with the second and maby a brush for the stuborn stuff the blast off with the high pressure hose and taking care not to dose anything electrical to heavly :D


Exactly what i do,they were on special for 99c each the other week,got 10 of them:p:)

They are also good for cleaning off the gearbox,etc

[Xavie]

Thanks for the replies. Not sure what I will do now! To many choices.

if I use the pressure washer I'll take nozzle of which makes it real high pressure and just use the low pressure heand held bit.

I like the idea of the petrol but I'm not convinced it would do what I want with all the dirt. I may give it a test though as at current petrol prices I can't go to wrong!

Is there anything I need to re-grease once I do it? The pullys or anything?

Xav

[Tank]

Thanks for the replies. Not sure what I will do now! To many choices.

if I use the pressure washer I'll take nozzle of which makes it real high pressure and just use the low pressure heand held bit.

I like the idea of the petrol but I'm not convinced it would do what I want with all the dirt. I may give it a test though as at current petrol prices I can't go to wrong!

Is there anything I need to re-grease once I do it? The pullys or anything?

Xav
If you use Petrol, have a think whereabouts it will end up when you wash it off, stormwater drain or lawn, I use a water soluble degreaser, brush it or spray it on and hose it off on the lawn, doesn't hurt the lawn, Regards Frank.

[jmkoffice]

Does anyone wax their engine bay after degreasing? LR recommend a few products, as per the attached extract.

[Xavie]

Thanks JMK. I did notice the sticker mentioning after steam cleaning it should be waxed. That said.... I wonder if I should only steam clean it:eek:

I went to wash today and it pelted down with rain .... Can't win!