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Cleaning an engine bay?

  • 13-07-2010 1:45pm
    #1
    Sleepy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,366 ✭✭✭✭


    I assume it's a bad idea to just pop the bonnet when you're down at the garage doing a pressure wash?

    Is there any recommended way of cleaning an engine to make it easier to spot leaks etc?


Comments

  • #2
    metzengerstein
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭metzengerstein


    i only did this recently,i used baby wipes and wow they took off some of the heaviest grime and even shined up some of the metal parts,no joke .i would be too scared to use the pressure washer incase of disconneting something or breaking something .


  • #3
    Sleepy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,366 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    metzengerstein wrote: »
    i only did this recently,i used baby wipes and wow they took off some of the heaviest grime and even shined up some of the metal parts,no joke .i would be too scared to use the pressure washer incase of disconneting something or breaking something .
    Was more the possibility of shorting electrics I was worried about!


  • #4
    metzengerstein
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭metzengerstein


    very true aswell,but my brother owned my car before me and he used to do it with the pressure hose ,it didnt do any harm but i still wouldnt do it ,if its a newer engine maybe it would be ok ,the new type engines seem to have most things covered up


  • #5
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    There's a few old threads here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055653474
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65929482
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65075042
    with lots of opinions and tips.

    I myself use pressure washer but spray more indirect onto the engine after letting degreaser work on it first for 10 mins while I wash the rest of the car.
    Some posters would not agree with this but then I haven't come across anyone who've actually broken anything by using pressure wash.
    I usually leave engine running during the engine wash and take it for 20 min drive or more afterwards to let it dry completely.


  • #6
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,438 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    You have to be fairly careful when cleaning the engine bay with a pressure washer. Leave the engine running while doing it and try to cover the ecu and fuse-box with a plastic bag or something similar. And try not to point the jet directly at any electronic components. AFAIK theres special engine bay cleaners/degreasers available aswell.


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  • #7
    MetzgerMeister
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,885 ✭✭✭✭MetzgerMeister


    Dean09 wrote: »
    AFAIK theres special engine bay cleaners/degreasers available aswell.

    ...all of which say to heat up the engine first, turn it off, cover the engine bay with degreaser, leave for a few minutes, hose off and start up engine again and let run for c. 5 mins.


  • #8
    El Guapo!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,438 ✭✭✭✭El Guapo!


    einheisserschre wrote: »
    ...all of which say to heat up the engine first, turn it off, cover the engine bay with degreaser, leave for a few minutes, hose off and start up engine again and let run for c. 5 mins.
    They may say that but tbh the best/safest way is to have the engine running while hosing it off. Thats just my personal opinion from experience.


  • #9
    MetzgerMeister
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,885 ✭✭✭✭MetzgerMeister


    Dean09 wrote: »
    They may say that but tbh the best/safest way is to have the engine running while hosing it off. Thats just my personal opinion from experience.

    Not trying to be an a$$hole here, but why do you think that?

    The reason I think it's better to turn it off is because there's not as much electrical activity going on in the engine as there could be when it's switched on.


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