Cleaning the engine bay? - Page 2

Tom Collins · 28th March 2007, 09:23

Back in the '80s, when I worked in a agrage as a car cleaner, or in the vehicle lustre department, we used degreaser and a steam cleaner, with an old rag wrapped round the distributor cap. As others have said here, not a good idea on modern engines though.
I have to admit, I havent cleaned under a bonnet in 20 years, and even though I love my Rover, I don't intend to start now.

Simon · 28th March 2007, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeners

DON'T ever put washing-up liquid near your car............one of it's main ingredients is SALT !!!!!!!!!!, if you use anything add a bit of car wash shampoo.

I was talking engine bay here. Most of the parts that get this treatment are plastic (as they tend to stain easier than the metal parts). The degreasing agents in it help with the staining. Even then the solution is very very mild... hardly any lather formed at all.

I would NEVER use washing-up liquid on any external surface or any internal metal surface.

For true degreasing and grime removal you need propper degreasers and such like, as has been mentioned here too. I simply used some carb cleaner with an old rag that did a good job but I know there are plently of proprietary cleaners out there designed to remove grease and grime without causing damage or corrosion.

Keith · 28th March 2007, 19:41

Bunch of wossies the lot of you I lob the end contents of the wash bucket over the engine then find an old bog brush ideal for the parts that other brushes can not reach finally I get the Karcher out and give it a good blasting

Result nice clean engine

If you believe that you'll believe......................................

GreyGhost · 28th March 2007, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Result nice clean engine

If you believe that you'll believe......................................

Oh dear

Keith · 28th March 2007, 19:50

Very true !

I need a few sessions

Simon · 28th March 2007, 21:18

Keith - I thought I was the one that had a few drinks tonight... Have you been at the old liqueur again?!

Tom Collins · 28th March 2007, 21:28

I find Absinthe can do terrible things to ones equilibrium.

Simon · 28th March 2007, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by collit

I find Absinthe can do terrible things to ones equilibrium.

Absinthe.... now theres an engine cleaner if ever there was one!

baxlin · 29th March 2007, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon D

Absinthe....

Doesn't that make the heart grow fonder?:lol:

Keith · 29th March 2007, 13:36

Just given this a damn good blasting I still can't get all the crud off it had on when I bought it but things are improving slowly, little and often seems to work best

28th March 2007, 09:23	#11
Tom Collins Posted a thing or two Mondeo 2.0 cdti Ghia Auto Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,731 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Back in the '80s, when I worked in a agrage as a car cleaner, or in the vehicle lustre department, we used degreaser and a steam cleaner, with an old rag wrapped round the distributor cap. As others have said here, not a good idea on modern engines though. I have to admit, I havent cleaned under a bonnet in 20 years, and even though I love my Rover, I don't intend to start now. __________________ In vino veritas [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?

28th March 2007, 21:28	#17
Tom Collins Posted a thing or two Mondeo 2.0 cdti Ghia Auto Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,731 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I find Absinthe can do terrible things to ones equilibrium. __________________ In vino veritas [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?

28th March 2007, 19:41	#13
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Bunch of wossies the lot of you I lob the end contents of the wash bucket over the engine then find an old bog brush ideal for the parts that other brushes can not reach finally I get the Karcher out and give it a good blasting Result nice clean engine If you believe that you'll believe......................................

28th March 2007, 19:50	#15
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Very true ! I need a few sessions

28th March 2007, 21:18	#16
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Keith - I thought I was the one that had a few drinks tonight... Have you been at the old liqueur again?!

29th March 2007, 13:36	#20
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Just given this a damn good blasting I still can't get all the crud off it had on when I bought it but things are improving slowly, little and often seems to work best