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Engine Bay cleaner
- Marlon
- Lifer
- Posts: 10899
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 am
- Location: Lancs.
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Engine Bay cleaner
Following the repairs to my Zed the engine bay needs a good clean.
There's lots of engine bay cleaners out there, any recommendations or are they all much of a muchness? The bay isn't that dirty, its just dusty so I'm after something that simply sprays on and wipes off?
There's lots of engine bay cleaners out there, any recommendations or are they all much of a muchness? The bay isn't that dirty, its just dusty so I'm after something that simply sprays on and wipes off?
Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26155
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Engine Bay cleaner
AG engine cleaner followed by AG vinyl and rubber care.
I use a brush to agitate the cleaner and rinse off with one of those 2 litre plant spray things that give a precise area that gets wet.
Heard good stories about 303 as well but not tried it. Mr wilks seems to be an expert as well.
I use a brush to agitate the cleaner and rinse off with one of those 2 litre plant spray things that give a precise area that gets wet.
Heard good stories about 303 as well but not tried it. Mr wilks seems to be an expert as well.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
Engine Bay cleaner
Any All Purpose Cleaner will do the trick, Marlon. Spray onto a stone cold engine bay, agitate with various brushes, then your choice of damp MF and a bucket of warm water/jet wash off.
I then polish metal work with AF Mercury, painted areas with AutoGlym SRP (since it has mild protecting properties) and finish with a spray of 303 Aerospace.
I then polish metal work with AF Mercury, painted areas with AutoGlym SRP (since it has mild protecting properties) and finish with a spray of 303 Aerospace.
- Marlon
- Lifer
- Posts: 10899
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 am
- Location: Lancs.
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Engine Bay cleaner
Thanks pvr / JAD - I will get it cleaned this weekend
Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S
- srhutch
- Moderator
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Engine Bay cleaner
Once you have cleaned make sure you drive it to warm the engine and dry off any sitting water.Marlon wrote:Thanks pvr / JAD - I will get it cleaned this weekend
- Marlon
- Lifer
- Posts: 10899
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 am
- Location: Lancs.
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Engine Bay cleaner
srhutch wrote:Once you have cleaned make sure you drive it to warm the engine and dry off any sitting water.Marlon wrote:Thanks pvr / JAD - I will get it cleaned this weekend
Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S
- Chris_D
- Lifer
- Posts: 6615
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Engine Bay cleaner
Been usin this combination for a few years now - washin up liquid to get rid of any oilspots and pooling (Pongo my E46 M3 had plenty of them!), Autoglym Engine & Machine Cleaner then finish with a coating of GT85 for a nice protective coating and shine.
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
- Smartbear
- Lifer
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- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Engine Bay cleaner
Hi Marlon, I've found most cleaners work well but as above, apply to a cold engine only & don't allow it to dry as they can leave streaks on paint/trim-rinse off with a watering can (I know you haven't a hose)
Rob
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- markeg
- Lifer
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- Location: Lincolnshire Wolds
Engine Bay cleaner
Degreaser, agitate, rinse, then 303.
Oh, and remember to cover the alternator (I use foil and a plastic bag)...
Oh, and remember to cover the alternator (I use foil and a plastic bag)...
previous: Alpina Roadster S, #108: gone
current: MB C-class
"veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around..."
current: MB C-class
"veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around..."
- Marlon
- Lifer
- Posts: 10899
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 am
- Location: Lancs.
- Contact:
Engine Bay cleaner
I'll have to find it firstmarkeg wrote:. . .
Oh, and remember to cover the alternator (I use foil and a plastic bag)...
Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Engine Bay cleaner
Head south once you get past the oil filter
Rob
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Engine Bay cleaner
I haven't tried Gunk's newer Green range but I'd advise against Gunk classic (in the orange tin). It certainly shifts oil/grease like no other but absolutely STINKS for weeks afterwards and the run-off can damage tarmac driveways. Avoid
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- markeg
- Lifer
- Posts: 8106
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:05 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire Wolds
Engine Bay cleaner
+1 - still got part of my driveway missing after using that stuff.... breaks tar up big-time.Ewazix wrote:I haven't tried Gunk's newer Green range but I'd advise against Gunk classic (in the orange tin). It certainly shifts oil/grease like no other but absolutely STINKS for weeks afterwards and the run-off can damage tarmac driveways. Avoid
previous: Alpina Roadster S, #108: gone
current: MB C-class
"veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around..."
current: MB C-class
"veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around..."
- patriot66
- Lifer
- Posts: 3467
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:59 am
- Location: Mawdesley, Lancashire
Engine Bay cleaner
Hi Marlon. Start with a cold engine. Spray 10:1 diluted TFR (Traffic Film Remover) under the bonnet and all round the engine bay. Agitate any particularly grimy areas with a stiff brush. Pressure wash everything thoroughly. Wipe off as much excess water as possible with microfibre towels. Go for a short drive to dry things out....high speed if possible. Leave the bonnet open and let the engine cool completely. Bring the lustre back to any aluminium/metal with Peek metal polish. Spray a light mist of Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care over any plastic, rubber and paintwork. Leave this for 5 minutes before gently wiping all surfaces with a clean microfibre cloth. If you want a bit more gloss on any plastics or rubber then spray a second coat of AG V & R C but do not wipe it over. Your engine bay should now look something like this.
Sterling Grey '03 2.5i SE / Infinitas Supercharger / S.M.G / Hardtop / Gloss Black 162s / Bilstein B4s / 3.0i Brakes / DLV De-Cat & Silencer / Rebuilt VANOS / Sonar 2Xcite Lights / Carbon & Alcantara Trim / M-Sport Seats / ...& Side Covers !
- Chris_D
- Lifer
- Posts: 6615
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Engine Bay cleaner
Now THAT is one tidy engine bay!patriot66 wrote:Hi Marlon. Start with a cold engine. Spray 10:1 diluted TFR (Traffic Film Remover) under the bonnet and all round the engine bay. Agitate any particularly grimy areas with a stiff brush. Pressure wash everything thoroughly. Wipe off as much excess water as possible with microfibre towels. Go for a short drive to dry things out...
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.