Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[toller]

I'll be getting my rocker cover gaskets done this coming weekend and once they're changed i'd like to give the engine a good clean as it's a bit grubby.  The bottom half of the engine is covered in oil, infact the entire underside of the car has a coating of the stuff, I was just going to spray a load of Gunk on this then let loose with the Karcher on it.  

I'm not entirely sure what is do-able with the rest of the engine though.  On my previous escort I brushed Gunk everywhere i could see in the engine bay and then hosed it off whilst using a stiff brush.  Is the same approach ok on the Omega or are the electrics not as forgiving?

It may sound a little vain but i can't be doing with grimey engines

[ians]

I think most on here would agree being houseproud under the bonnet is a good thing.

I'm not sure about gunk either way, but I'd be careful with the pressure washer - might do damage.

Cheers

Ian

[Dave-C]

Leave the engine running when you do it, keep jet away from intake, watch out for cold water on hot manifolds, they will crack! Also watch out for the fire risk on the hot manifolds with the Gunk, probably best to Gunk it all up cold, bottom end mainly, several hours prior to jet washing it, don't hit the electrics directly... If you jet the radiator, do it from inside out, the oposite way to which the bugs flew in!
Electrics are the buzz word, keep water away from them..

DC

[RossPhim]

Personally I wouldn't put a pressure washer anywhere near my engine bay, or a hose either, as we all know how sensitive these barges can be.

[ClarCE]

Gunk and elbow grease, no jetwash or hose... thats how i did mine, sorted.

[hotel21]

I have used gunk in a paraffin gun with an air line.  Following is a bit of a faff around but worked for me.  

Cold engine, let it soak overnight.   Get the cleaner down to the bottom of the block where the worst of the crud is. (my one was anyway)  I sprayed it from the underside / wheelarch, wheels full lock and lying under.  Dont get dripped on, don't taste nice..   Then sprayed from above, taking care to avoid electrics, HT leads etc.

Washed it away with a cold powerwasher, again taking extreme care with electrical and HT leads etc.  Once done, blow it all off with an airline and nozzle jet, especially at wiring joints where it was splashed by accident.  WD40 or similar dispersant where required on electrics.

Turned the key and started first time, no faults or hicoughs during or since.  Engine took a wee while for the hot gunk / WD40 smell to clear but better than hot oil.  A good run soon cleared the smells.

Bottom line?  Take time and be carefull.....  

HtH

B

[Andy B]

I have used gunk in a paraffin gun with an air line.  Following is a bit of a faff around but worked for me.  .....

Washed it away with a cold powerwasher, again taking extreme care with electrical and HT leads etc.  Once done, blow it all off with an airline and nozzle jet, especially at wiring joints where it was splashed by accident.  WD40 or similar dispersant where required on electrics.

...... Bottom line?  Take time and be carefull.....  

HtH

B

And then use a load of path/drive cleaner before Mrs H21 sees the mess!  

[Ghosts in my machine]

I've "gunked" mine a few times, no probs. Warm up the engine. Switch off, brush on with a paint brush and work it in, leave it for 20 mins and rinse off with a hose. I just use a hose with a spray attachment with the tap turned down a bit. Avoid leccy bits and try not to get gunk on the rocker covers for too long if you can help it. It started to take the coating off mine in one corner.

Don't use pressure washer. More water at lower pressure is much safer and gets gunk off no bother. I often run the engine while I get the last bits off as you can smell if gunk is still present as it warms up.

I also use a parafin gun to get gunk on my Landy engine and blast it off with the hose, but thats a lot more forgiving to getting water everywhere.

[DaveL]

i did not have any gunk but had good results with that stuff that the ob**xios man shouts about on telly.

Cleaned a neighbours Astra engine, well it is always best to experiment before using on your own ,
and the results were very good. The smell was a lot better than the warm gunky oil smell.

 8-)
DaveL

[jamie]

Jet wash, steam wash are all very bad ideas for the engine bay.  They cause damage that might not be immediately detectable.  

Paraffin is cheaper and more effective than gunk, will not damage any rubber or plastic.  It can be brushed on with a stiff brush until the crap dissolves.  Put some old news papers under the engine bay. Spend and hour or so with 2.5L of paraffin and your brush.  

If you use any gunk, chemical cleaners or solvents including paraffin, you will need to re protect any paint work you clean.  Waxoyl can be used but doesn't look nice, Comma or some manufacturer does a lighter type product in aerosol format.  

You can then use a silicon water born product to coat everything, to give a shiny finish.

But dont Karcher your engine!