Engine Bay Detailing

Gary ITR

This is something I want to tackle over the next few days, never tried it before so I'm looking for a few do's and don'ts.

My questions are

Power hose? Yay or nay

And also I know there a lot of products out there for degreasing etc, what are your experiences though? Which ones should I go for?

EPM

Powerhose? Could accidentally hit something...

elbow grease ftw!

Mr Benevolent

EPM wrote: »

Powerhose? Could accidentally hit something...

elbow grease ftw!

+1. No to a powerhose. Steam cleaning might be a better bet but harder to find a place that does it. Otherwise it's going to be lots of elbowgrease.

Alternatively you could pull the engine out and stick it in an industrial dishwasher.

What?

Gary ITR

Confab wrote: »

Alternatively you could pull the engine out and stick it in an industrial dishwasher.

Jaysus the ex nearly caught me putting my spanners and sockets in the dishwasher before, I dread to think what would have happened had she caught me

I always thought the powerhose was a big no no but the guys in Urban Performance told me a powerhose set at a wide spray would be fine once I cover the dizzy, fusebox and battery

Mr Benevolent

Onkle wrote: »

Jaysus the ex nearly caught me putting my spanners and sockets in the dishwasher before, I dread to think what would have happened had she caught me

I always thought the powerhose was a big no no but the guys in Urban Performance told me a powerhose set at a wide spray would be fine once I cover the dizzy, fusebox and battery

Is it an older car? If it is then there obviously aren't as many sensors to tear off if the jet hits them. I suppose if the professionals say it's ok then it should be fine.

Brief guide here, there's a good tip in letting the engine warm up to loosen all the crap.

listermint

Ive power hose mine, cover all the electric bits with bags / elastic band wraps. keep the engine running and oxo. job done.

I put some degreaser on it first for 20 mins. The dirt comes right off with the powerwasher, no need for unneccesary elbow grease if you dont have to.

biko

I've used jet too, on a S40, Saab 9-3 and Toyota XLi, with engine always running.
It's different from car to car I think, with exposed alternators etc.
In essence, anything you think should be covered up, cover it and clean with spray and paper kitchen towels.

Apparently engine should be warm but not hot when you put degreaser on.
Leave it for a while as said above and and rinse off.
Go for a long drive then open the bonnet and wipe anything still wet.
It's best to do before a long run > 1 hour so the engine gets well hot and evaporates all the water.

If you're worried you can start by spraying the underside of the bonnet and thus letting it "rain" down on the engine while listening for it to hesitate.
I've done it several time and never had an issue. Good luck.

Oh, just use the old washing up brush to help the degreaser along. No need for fancy stuff from a factors.

I use autoglym degreaser, spray electrical stuff with WD40 before a spray with garden hose avoiding starter and alternator, spray on the degreaser, agitate with an old paintbrush and hose off, use some tyre foam on the plastic bits then

3SGE Toyota


L series before and after





Leave the engine running and get the WD40 out again after the rinse off hoseing.