Steam Cleaning / Jet washing engine bay

Soldato
Joined
24 Oct 2002
Posts
6,242
Location
Portsmouth
Does anyone know what chemicals you need to jetwash an engine bay and get all the grease off it. My mechanic usually does it but his jetwash blew up and he says the chemicals he used 'truck wash' can only be bought in 50 litre drums at about £200 each

Not worth it for a one off job!

Anyone know something that can be bought off the shelf?
 
Dont jet wash.

Degreaser and a paint brush works wonders, then rinse with a hose at normal pressure.
 
Just a word of warning,

i did this, and it ****** my engine up, misfiring a treat, took about 30 mins of driving to clear it through (engine had berly any power sounded like it was only firing on 2 cylinders).

So just dont point it at the ignition system and battery :p
 
Acolyte said:
Just a word of warning,

i did this, and it ****** my engine up, misfiring a treat, took about 30 mins of driving to clear it through (engine had berly any power sounded like it was only firing on 2 cylinders).

So just dont point it at the ignition system and battery :p

This happened when I cleaned my engine bay too but I sprayed some WD40 on the spark plug area and it worked after 10 minutes of driving or so.
 
Holy ****. :eek:
Its not often you see such a factual piece of text.
Truck wash is the gear to use mate. Your mechanic is the man. I have laughed so much reading the posts in the past about the recommendations to spend a Bundle of cash on tiny tins of crap from halfords when all the time good old truck wash has always done the job for me. Also with truckwash theres no need for a jetwash as its that good you can just wash it off with a normal garden hose.
Literally just cover everything in a diluted mix of trucky aggitate it a bit with a dustpan brush wait 20-30mins and hose off to get a Mint engine bay and i mean mint.
But if your mechanic is paying 200quid for 50 litres tell him to get it off me in the future as i will do it for a 100quid :D and still make a packet. ( Joke odviously. )
I get it from a place on my local industrial estate for about 27quid for 25 litres so you should be able to do the same in your area just ring round. Be aware that it is sold in different strengths though so match the price accordingly.
Also make sure you dilute it in use as its Well aggressive and use twice as much water rinsing it off as you think you should and i mean twice as much.
Rinse it again a day or two after to make sure. Don't panic though i have used this on Transit paintwork to get bad grime off and well washed off after its fine.
You can also use it on your upholstery but heavily diluted and even more rinsing is needed after. You will be amazed at the results.

So now the whole of OcUK are wise in what turns a turd back into a respectable motor cheap and easily. You would not believe how much money this product has earnt me over the years just as you won't believe the results you get with it until you use it.
In fact i have bought a turd this morning that needs a good trucking if i feel adventurous i may do a before and after shot just to Shock you all.
 
Yeah i'd like to see that pic mate! :)

What is the full brand name of Truck Wash?
I did a google on that earlier and drew a blank. If it's as good as you say I might buy 25 litres and use it more often, but I need to know the sort of shop that would stock it.

Cheers fella
 
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More info.
I went out and had to purchase some truck wash today for my new turd.
It was 25 quid for 25 litres and its officially called Traffic 20.
I got mine from DNG industrial supplies in Barwell. Leics. N'r Windy corner for the locals.
I have done my before shots so once i have fully Turd polished the little chavmobile i will post all the pics. Its raining at the moment and although it works just aswell when its cold and wet i do not. :p

Chavmobile Turd polishing demo car history.
Stolen recovered. Been standing for about a month. Steering wheel bent and gear stick seemingly disconnected and flopping about. No gears can be selected. Been totally Monstered and neglected.
Previous 1st car owners have meant the engine bay is in a poor state due to 106'000 miles and no real care and attention.
Now i think if i can turd polish this up then i or anyone else can see that anythings possible with a bit of trucky.
Bare in mind that although it costs 25 quid it will last one man ages.
Brilliant for Engine bays, Wheels, Underbody etc and if diluted properly you can use rag application to remove all sorts from your paintwork.

WARNING DISCLAIMER.
Diluting this product in use is a MUST.
Also Heavy heavy rinsing is needed.
The paintwork Must be Washed using a Normal car shampoo afterwards and then a Good polish needs to be reapplied.
Gloves should be worn at All times and its a good idea to have a Bucket of clean cold water at hand for an eye rinse if needed. Although a quick blast in the face from your hose is quick and effective.


Items i will use.
Am going to keep this basic so that All have these items at hand around there house somewhere.
1 Garden hose Standard type. No power. Using ONLY COLD water.
1 Dustpan brush. Stiff bristle one.
1 Bucket.
1 pair of Gay white rubber nanny type gloves or any other waterproof gloves.
And thats your lot.
No expensive pressure washers and No massive hot water bills.
And Definetly no i will do that for 45 quid blokes.


Knowing lots of people in the trade i do this whenever the oppurtunity arises.
Its a cheap turd that knowone wants. I spend my time on it and bring it back to the level of a first car purchase. Then after a new M.O.T. it gets sold on to some happy customer.
After fixing the Gear selector/stick and Bending the steering wheel straight it drives really well. Once its all done it will make someone a good little first car.
 
Job done. Heres the pics it took about an hour and a half in total.

Before times three
http://premium1.uploadit.org/malc30//Corsa-B4-001.jpg
http://premium1.uploadit.org/malc30//Corsa-B4-002.jpg
http://premium1.uploadit.org/malc30//Corsa-B4-003.jpg

After times three.
Check those inner wings :cool:
http://premium1.uploadit.org/malc30//Corsa-after-005.jpg
http://premium1.uploadit.org/malc30//Corsa-after-006.jpg
http://premium1.uploadit.org/malc30//Corsa-after-007.jpg


I should say that the mark you see on the rear quarter after shot is the reflection of the broom i used to sweep up. ;)


Also odviously covering your entire engine bay with copious amounts of water can cause problems when you come to restart the motor. The reason i do it is that i have the knowledge and confidence to get it going no matter what.
bare that in mind before you go mental with water.
Draping rags over vulnerable electrics can help but just be aware that i dont just spray water everywhere.
 
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Not worth it imo.....a good scrub with a stiff brush and some truck wash or grime cleaner will do the trick. There is always a risk of water entering the cylinders or damaging electrics. You need to be very careful, but tbh you can avoid a lot of hassle by using your elbows. Also, Steam cleaning or jet washing 'doesnt' always provide good results.
 
I was posting as you was. :p
No mate i don't bother covering anything as even if it does have problems i can soon sort it. 9 out of ten start first time but some mess about with the damp. This baby cracked up first time which gives me the confidence to sell it as a reliable runner and starter no matter what the conditions. If i have problems starting i rectify them and make sure its better insulated for next time or for the next owner. It all works out in the end.
 
I use an Atomiser to apply it and the dustpan brush to agitate it.
Be aware that Trucky eats atomisiers over a short period of time so don't leave any in the bottle between jobs.
 
My engine took 3 days to dry out when i got the crank sensor wet. Couldn't be bother to take it apart so just let it dry on it's own.

Its a good idea to wash a warm engine too as it will dry off very quickly if water does get into any sensors
 
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