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Engine Bay cleaner

Claying, polishing, waxing... share your secrets in here.
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Marlon
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Marlon » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:18 am

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?
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pvr
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by pvr » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:23 pm

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.
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by JAD » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:52 pm

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.

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Marlon
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Marlon » Wed Nov 23, 2016 2:38 pm

Thanks pvr / JAD - I will get it cleaned this weekend :)
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by srhutch » Wed Nov 23, 2016 2:49 pm

Marlon wrote:Thanks pvr / JAD - I will get it cleaned this weekend :)
Once you have cleaned make sure you drive it to warm the engine and dry off any sitting water.
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Marlon » Wed Nov 23, 2016 3:02 pm

srhutch wrote:
Marlon wrote:Thanks pvr / JAD - I will get it cleaned this weekend :)
Once you have cleaned make sure you drive it to warm the engine and dry off any sitting water.
:thumbsup: :driving:
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Chris_D » Wed Nov 23, 2016 3:41 pm

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.
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Smartbear » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:19 pm

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) :thumbsup:
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by markeg » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:25 pm

Degreaser, agitate, rinse, then 303.

Oh, and remember to cover the alternator (I use foil and a plastic bag)...
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Marlon
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Marlon » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:29 pm

markeg wrote:. . .
Oh, and remember to cover the alternator (I use foil and a plastic bag)...
I'll have to find it first :rofl:
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Smartbear » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:30 pm

Head south once you get past the oil filter :P
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Ewazix » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:35 pm

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 :thumbsdown:
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by markeg » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:37 pm

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 :thumbsdown:
+1 - still got part of my driveway missing after using that stuff.... breaks tar up big-time. :cry:
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by patriot66 » Thu Nov 24, 2016 12:01 am

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. :thumbsup:
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Engine Bay cleaner

Post by Chris_D » Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:11 am

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...
Now THAT is one tidy engine bay!
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
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