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[russtyruss]

basically I want to clean the engine on my 3.0, it's been pretty well maintained by the previous owner for the last 13 years but he seemed to forget the engine bay!  it's not that bad, but the cam covers have leaked oil at some point. I want to clean it up to see if they're still leaking or if it's just old stuff.
I've jet washed and degreased engines before with no trouble, but just wanted to make sure there wasn't any parts that don't like the wet stuff particularly.
cheers!

[zirk]

I wouldn't jet wash a V6 Omega Engine Bay, just asking for trouble. 

[russtyruss]

any particular reason? are the electrics that fussy?

it's not caked but it'll be a good few hours doing it by hand to get it to a standard i like. I know people say you shouldn't jet wash engine bays but i've done fords, renaults and peugeots with no trouble and french electrics are notoriously sh***. if the general consensous is don't then i won't, obviously.

[amba]

I wouldnt put any pressured water on a V6 .

I cleaned mine just with degreaser and a paint brush and you can get to most of the parts ,but does help to have it on standrs for a thorough clean underneath.Remove the plastic engine cover from the sump and you will be able to get to most of what you can treach from above.

The V6 has lots of sensors and recessed water traps and those plug wells really dont want moisture inside them ,so steer clear of the jet washer is my advise 

[chrisgixer]

I've jet washed mine, but ONLY in non sensitive areas such as the air box side of the engine bay. Inlet pipework. Top of plenum. Top of rad panel (not the rad itself the jet wash may will bend the fins and possibly destroy the condenser find as well ). Top mounts. Scuttle.  Etc etc. And only with VERY short bursts to avoid too much over spray.

It's certainly not a case of blasting down the whole engine bay and soaking everything in sight. Be extremely careful to avoid the alternator, coil pacs/ignition system, ecu/fuse box and looms/cable tray, fuel injection and crank sensor plugs behind the engine bay.

Jet washes can be surprisingly powerful and can easily damage fragile wiring exposed to a hot engine bay for the last 10 years or more. Not to mention bearing seals and plug connectors.

They are good for clearing the scuttle drain though.

[Andy A]

What about getting it steam clean. Is that a possible option?

[chrisgixer]

Jet wash is ok, just be very very careful.

Steam clean? Really?

[Andy A]

It's really common for people to have their engine and engine bays steamed cleaned.  Take a look on YouTube.

Andy

[chrisgixer]

It's really common for people to have their engine and engine bays steamed cleaned.  Take a look on YouTube.

Andy

Jumping off the Eiffle Tower is on there as well I'm sure.

[Nick W]

Considering how filthy V6s get, I'd say an occasional jetwash is essential.
But, I only do it from the exhaust manifolds down, as there are fewer electrical connections and that's where the worst of the grot is. Using a decent degreaser makes for a quicker job. A good spray along the chassis rails, subframe and under the radiator makes working in those areas much more pleasant.

I don't see any need to jetwash the top of the engine, as you can clean things like the cam-covers when you have them off the car to cure the leak.

[Andy A]

It is usual practise, for the more expensive cars, for dealers to have the engine and engine bay steam cleaned. I would never put a pressure washer anywhere near my engine.

[chrisgixer]

A good dose of gunk de greaser around the sump area works for me too.

[sjc]

Given that ALL of the electrics and electronics to run pretty much the whole car are in the engine bay... I wouldn't put a pressure washer anywhere near it.

If you're really intent on cleaning it up then careful use of liquid degreaser and a brush is the way to go.  If you have a pre-facelift V6, removing the plenum makes the rest of the engine much easier to get at - just be sure to cover the intakes of course.

[andyc]

Or remove the engine, strip the engine bay out, clean and put back together.    )(i'll get me coat)

(Having said that one of my customer has a Black Donkey car and did just that)

Andy

[sjc]

Or remove the engine, strip the engine bay out, clean and put back together.    )(i'll get me coat)

I kinda did that too - but I was putting a different engine and box back in