OK, so whats the word on engine bay cleaning with a jet wash? With all the salt and crap over winter, I've done my best to clean up the engine bay but there are parts I simply can't reach. I'd quite happy squirt a bit of de-greaser in there and jet wash it, but am somewhat paranoid about water ingress into the electrics.. any thoughts?
Engine bay cleaning...
- Thread starter Maniac
- Start date
Done mine a few times. Degreaser, small brushes and a low pressure washer with warm (not hot) water. Always do on a cool engine (never on a hot one) and I always cover the alternator with some aluminium foil. Then use some dressing (loads to choose from) to keep the plastics/rubber/silicon looking good 
Tapatalking...
Tapatalking...
I'd degrease it, let it settle, use a brush for any stubborn bits, then gently hose it off (with a normal garden hose, rather than a pressure washer). If there are specific areas you're concerned about, cover them up with something.
I personally worry about firing high-pressure water into any sensitive components, so just use a hose on a gentle setting to hose off the degreaser. I've read a few examples online of things going wrong after using a pressure washer, and I'm not keen on learning the hard way.
What degreaser do you use, out of interest?
I personally worry about firing high-pressure water into any sensitive components, so just use a hose on a gentle setting to hose off the degreaser. I've read a few examples online of things going wrong after using a pressure washer, and I'm not keen on learning the hard way.
What degreaser do you use, out of interest?
dan425 said:
Personally, use surfex but a number here use APC. Tons around (see here for some others)
Reason I said "low pressure washer" is because of the reported issue of high pressure washers. Personally, I wouldn't use a steam cleaner, I use warm water. Not keen on the idea of hot steam on the engine bits ....
Tapatalking...
I used Surfex HD to clean and Aerospace 303 to protect on Mark's recommendation - worked a treat and I did not even get really suck into the crannies. I covered the alternator with foil - what a faff, almost took longer to get it covered than cleaning the engine - and used a garden hose with one of those squeeze gun nozzles set to 'dribble' 
Tonybz said:IMHO,steam cleaning an engine bay is a definite no no. It certainly used to invalidate VW warranties. I personally wipe the visible plastic with a damp rag,clean out the leaves and shut it till the next time the oil light comes on....
I like your style
Lots on here though will have spat out their dinner in absolute horror and disgust 
Don't get me wrong, I do understand some people's obsession with the cleanliness of their motor,it's just never been high on my priorities. Cleaning your pride and joy on a sunny weekend for 8 hours..... Mmm. I'd rather be 8 hours up the road,the car covered in dead flies.TrickyDicky said:Tonybz said:IMHO,steam cleaning an engine bay is a definite no no. It certainly used to invalidate VW warranties. I personally wipe the visible plastic with a damp rag,clean out the leaves and shut it till the next time the oil light comes on....
I like your style
mad4slalom
Senior member
smple , never let your engine bay get dirty enough to need a steam clean ! you can eat your dinner off mine at any time, no ketchup allowed tho, !!five minutes when i wash and polish the car and ikeep on top of it.
mad4slalom said:smple , never let your engine bay get dirty enough to need a steam clean ! you can eat your dinner off mine at any time, no ketchup allowed tho, !!five minutes when i wash and polish the car and ikeep on top of it.
...and the parts you can't reach? Down the engine sides or engine mount components that are inaccessible? I can see mine and its not accessible fully to clean by hand... so constant cleaning is fine, if you can reach!
mad4slalom
Senior member
smple , never let your engine bay get dirty enough to need a steam clean ! you can eat your dinner off mine at any time, no ketchup allowed tho, !!five minutes when i wash and polish the car and ikeep on top of it. its a no brainer when you come to sell the car who wouldnt prefer to view a car that is mint everywhere rather than one that looks neglected.
its a no brainer when you come to sell the car who wouldnt prefer to view a car that is mint everywhere rather than one that looks neglected.mad4slalom said:smple , never let your engine bay get dirty enough to need a steam clean ! you can eat your dinner off mine at any time, no ketchup allowed tho, !!five minutes when i wash and polish the car and ikeep on top of it.
I guess that's when you steam clean the engine bay. Just before you sell it. That way the next owner has the issuer with corroded electrics. Me personally,I'd prefer a naturally dirtied engine bay. That way I know the engine hasn't been steam cleand. As I've said,it's only my opinion. It wouldn't put someone off buying a car,if its not immaculate under the bonnet. Bit of dirt also gives a car a " not just had a new front bolted on it" look about it. Again as I've said,just my opinion.
I think that's a fair point, for a lot of people a very clean engine bay might look like cleaning up after some kind of leak. When I bought my Z it had quite obviously never been cleaned under the bonnet, but I didn't mind as it was quite obvious that there hadn't been any oil or coolant leaks etc.
Interesting. I like keeping my engine bay reasonably clean because it feels like I am looking after it and paying attention - I'd have thought anyone buying would feel similarly reassured. I guess there is dirty and used, and really feckin manky with leaves, mud and moss though...
I'm looking to give the car a good cleaning under the hood, I've seen a few things that mention covering any electricals or vents before starting.
Is there anything specific I should be looking out for to cover up before starting?
Is there anything specific I should be looking out for to cover up before starting?