Cleaning my engine bay

[metamorphpwner]

Hi,
I'm looking to clean my engine/Engine bay this weekend as it's quite filfy under the bonnet now and have an mot in a few weeks.

Would i be safe to use presure washer all over it or are there certain parts to totally avoid (battery ect.)/
Or would i just be better off using a bucket and brush/sponge?

 

[233]

power wash it avoiding anything electrically looking and leave it running for a while during and after

do this every month or so with the taxi

 

[Amoeba]

I wouldn't recommend the pressure washer .

Just get some degreaser, spray it on and then wipe off with a cloth. Should cut through most of the grime.

 

[CaptainUnlikely]

I spray on a degreaser, agitate with a brush, then hose it off, avoiding the battery, air filter, and fuses. As above, you can leave it running or start it afterwards to dry it off quickly if you like.
You can cover electricals with foil or plastic bags if you're worried and then just hose away all you want if that's easier.

 

[shauncr91]

Get it steam cleaned.

 

[DKong]

I spray on a degreaser, agitate with a brush, then hose it off, avoiding the battery, air filter, and fuses. As above, you can leave it running or start it afterwards to dry it off quickly if you like.

This is the safest option.

 

[metamorphpwner]

I spray on a degreaser, agitate with a brush, then hose it off, avoiding the battery, air filter, and fuses. As above, you can leave it running or start it afterwards to dry it off quickly if you like.
You can cover electricals with foil or plastic bags if you're worried and then just hose away all you want if that's easier.

i was thinking this would be the best option to avoid getting to much water everywere.
either that or as said steam clean it.

 

[Amoeba]

Steam clean it and then come back in a couple of weeks moaning about random electrical failures

 

[Begbie]

Steam clean it and then come back in a couple of weeks moaning about random electrical failures

This, no way would I dream on doing this on my Renault! Would die within a day.

 

[233]

This, no way would I dream on doing this on my Renault! Would die within a day.

wheras our alfa would probablty see an improvement

 

[Mickie]

i pressure wash mine and use a degreaser.. figured if it can cope with 70mph salt spray going up into the engine bay while im on the motorway it can cope with a pressure washer.. which it can, everything in new car engines today are sealed..

 

[233]

i pressure wash mine and use a degreaser.. figured if it can cope with 70mph salt spray going up into the engine bay while im on the motorway it can cope with a pressure washer.. which it can, everything in new car engines today are sealed..

snap i try and avoid electrical gubbins but i've been spraying the vectra every couple of weeks like this for the last 2 1/2 years with no ill effects use common sense and all will be fine

 

[Sparky]

This, no way would I dream on doing this on my Renault! Would die within a day.

My Renault use to regardless

 

[Berger]

Used pressure washer on both my Peugeots with no problem, it created a missfire on my rover for a week, water in the dizzy. Makes a big difference to the bay.

 

[Overlag]

the only problem i had was water collecting in the spark plug area on the engine, then as the water evaporates, it left loads and loads of calcium deposits

 

[Berger]

the only problem i had was water collecting in the spark plug area on the engine, then as the water evaporates, it left loads and loads of calcium deposits

Nasty Southern water for you!

I ran the engine for 5 mins, sprayed engine and machine cleaner over the area then closed the bonnet, left for 10th mins then rinsed off.

 

[Sparky]

Im wondering if my snow foam lance would be better than just blasting it, guess i could add some stronger cleaner to the mix. what do you think?