Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: 24_Valve on 10 October 2010, 23:03:35

Title: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: 24_Valve on 10 October 2010, 23:03:35: Seen lots of pics on the forum of stunningly clean engine bays and want to give mine a thorough clean without a major strip down... There are lots of eastern european run car washes in my area that advertise "engine clean" but they just use a high power water jet and blast everything. I think this would damage many components; alternator, sensors etc... So I'm gonna tackle it myself properly. Have a cupboard full of cleaning agents but need some tips on what to use & how to get a gleaming finish on plastics, plenum, brake/coolant resevoirs, ducting etc. thanks in advance :y
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 10 October 2010, 23:06:57: stay away from water jet.. invitation for trouble imo..

plastic parts and painted parts dont like solvent type substances and go worse..

there are special sprays designed to clean engines..use only them..
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: 24_Valve on 10 October 2010, 23:23:27: warm soapy water & sponge ok for getting of the main dust & dirt?
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: joshwyatt on 10 October 2010, 23:34:38: I use autoglym engine and machine cleaner. Spray it on, agitate the dirt and wipe it off. Then run a wet, not just damp sponge over everything and it's fine.
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 October 2010, 07:59:29: Sensors are no issue and if you have original plug leads (some of the aftermarket ones dont seal very well) then neither are the iginition systems.

The worry is the alternator and aircon bearings
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: aaronjb on 11 October 2010, 09:54:28: I've heard WD40 and a toothbrush can work wonders..
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 October 2010, 10:03:22: Quote
I've heard WD40 and a toothbrush can work wonders..

Doesn't taste that great though. ;)

Kevin
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 11 October 2010, 10:09:44: Use SWMBO's toothbrush :y
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: 24_Valve on 11 October 2010, 12:18:05: Quote
Use SWMBO's toothbrush :y
I'd have a nice clean engine bay but would have to change my username to eunuch once completed ;D
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 October 2010, 12:28:52: You might laugh, but I actually got one of these for Christmas:

http://www.sonicscrubber.co.uk/product.php?id=1

Haven't used it yet. I need to remove the large dollop of turd from the rear window, and all the dust from the alloys before I start worrying about toothbrushes. :-[

Kevin
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: 24_Valve on 11 October 2010, 19:28:42: Lol KW it's an electric toothbrush, I'm sure of it ;D ;D ;D

That's probably the best example of good old entrepreneurial spirit I've seen for a long time ;D
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: 24_Valve on 11 October 2010, 19:40:30: seriously was thinking of using a good thick 2" paintbrush & loads of swarfega, brushing it in everywhere I can get to, then rinsing off with jugs warm water (avoiding alternator etc.) leaving to dry & spraying on the shiny stuff?

any thoughts...
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: albitz on 11 October 2010, 20:51:51: I always use paraffin for such jobs. Tools - paintbrush/old toothbrush/ plenty of rags. works a treat and cheap as chips. :y
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: dragonlord on 11 October 2010, 20:57:17: i all ways do the wd40 and a rag one does the job
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 October 2010, 22:29:35: Got some very effective engine degreaser in the local pound shop recently for - well, a pound a bottle. :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: tomoco on 11 October 2010, 22:54:38: Struck gold in a pound shop in skegness on sat. Brake cleaner, Carb cleaner and Engine degreaser all £1.. Bought loads. :y

mark
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: unlucky mark mv6 on 12 October 2010, 23:09:34: Quote
Got some very effective engine degreaser in the local pound shop recently for - well, a pound a bottle. :y

Kevin
Ill second that one kev,excellent results for a quid. :y
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: scimmy_man on 14 October 2010, 13:43:10: Quote
Struck gold in a pound shop in skegness on sat. Brake cleaner, Carb cleaner and Engine degreaser all £1.. Bought loads. :y

mark

but is it any good?
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: mr ICE man on 14 October 2010, 14:13:45: I use the suff from pound shop and brilliant!!give it a spray with we after and looks great!!
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: scimmy_man on 14 October 2010, 17:30:40: Quote
I use the suff from pound shop and brilliant!!give it a spray with we after and looks great!!

but I only have short legs, how am I supposed to wee into the engine bay? ;D
Title: Re: Cleaning V6 Engine Bay - All the gear/no idea?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 14 October 2010, 18:44:39: I'm naughty. I use a Pressure Washer. If you know where NOT to spray it, you cant really go wrong. Just avoid the Alternator and A/C Compressor.

I use neat TFR (Traffic Film Remover) but not the crap you get at MotorFactors in pressurized spray tins..... proper stuff that hurts your skin. Use a squirty bottle to spray it liberally all over the bay, then Jet Wash off. Finish the plastic bits with Silicone Spray, and the hoses with Bumper Gel.... Jobs a good 'un. :y