Washing Engine Bay

[BRADMAN]

Hey all,

Wondering what everyone does to keep their engine bay nice & clean.

Currently i use Truck Wash & Water mix , then wash off with plain water, then dry as much with a towel as possible then wait a few hrs before starting the car.

However i have seen a few mechanics washing the engine bays with the engine running.

ive also seen then pressure wash with engine running.

i was under the impression water & electronics dont mix hence leaving a dry time before firing up the engine.

what do you guys/girls do &/or recommend when it comes to engine bay cleaning/washing.

thanks
brad

[Dezza]

When I properly degrease the engine, I just put a plastic bag over the dizzy, and spray it all.

If I do it quickly, I just use the pressure hose at the car wash with the engine running.

I haven't had a problem yet with either method.

[blur1]

pressue wash, but make sure the engine has cooled somewhat first to stop cracking of rapidly cooling metal parts... eg cast manifolds.

[T3rminator]

So what are the things that need covering? Dizzy and air intake obviously...
what about battery, coil packs etc?

[gozza]

degreaser on everything - pressure wash off - spray water dispersant everywhere liberally..leave it for an hour or so and your sweet - ive done it many times without a problem

[BRADMAN]

sweet as.
yeah the truck wash does wonders with removing dirt and grim and what not.
but it needs that little extra kick from pressure washing.
next weekend ill give the pressure clean after truck wash a go and see how i do

thanks again
brad

[Dezza]

not that your engine is all that dirty anyway.

You haven't seen dirty till you've seen this!

dez, its a e series its the rust preventive system....

[BRADMAN]

yeah i keep my engine bay pretty clean...but it can always be better...my example of a sweet engine bay is "ORSMEB" engine bay
im trying to catch up to him

nice pic by the way.....country driver are we?

brad

[DEVL-XR]

Dez wash your damn engine!! haha.

I used to pressure wash my engine bay occasionally but I dont anymore. My bay never really gets that dirty, it just gathers a bit of dust from time to time. I use Meg's Quik Detailer and a microfiber towel, the same as I'd detail the body.
If theres grease on the block that I can get to I just wipe it off with a damp cloth. If you clean it often enough it makes light work I find.

[bentles]

paper towel, can of degreaser


anything more and its either too much effort or probably bad for the engine bay (high pressure washer)

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by BradensEBxr6

Dez wash your damn engine!! haha.

Notice in that pic it still has the original snorkel. That pic is ancient! The engine bay is much cleaner now (but has a minor power steering leak, so it's still not perfect)

Originally Posted by xgme

dez, its a e series its the rust preventive system....

lol

[PaulMac]

Dezza,
Thanks for the pic, after pulling my engine, factory standard blown h/g, I was pretty disappointed in how much crap I'd missed over the years. That pic has helped me feel sooo much better, you have saved me from drinking in depression. Now I'll just drink.LOL
Paul

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by Paulmac1

Dezza,
Thanks for the pic, after pulling my engine, factory standard blown h/g, I was pretty disappointed in how much crap I'd missed over the years. That pic has helped me feel sooo much better, you have saved me from drinking in depression. Now I'll just drink.LOL
Paul

bahahahahaha. At least that pic makes someone happy!

Here's what my engine bay looked like late last year.


Ignore the mismatching lead. They're all black now. I'm planning on getting an EL Tickford rocker cover for it as well, and will be putting extractors on it, so it should look pretty different in the coming months. At least it doesn't look as hobo as it did a few months ago when it was missing the fan shroud.

[BLKPHN]

The best thing i found is degreaser on those hard to get grime off places if you have leaks that is, the get out the truck wash which will help to dissolve the excess degreaser and then rinse with water, im not a huge fan of high pressure washes to the engine bay especcialy if its warm or hot not the best for cast manifold and blasting water into looms and electrical components is not the best. there is a lot of time needed to get it really clean looking and there is also a cheat method too! tyre shine allways does wonders!!

ORSMEB



EBMANUL

[BRADMAN]

mmmmm clean engine bays
you see this is what im trying to chase...the pros!

brad

[bentles]

just noticed in those pics your windscreen wiper is missing tristan hahah.


stop posting those pics lol make me regret buying my Ba even more now :(

[BLKPHN]

Originally Posted by bentls

just noticed in those pics your windscreen wiper is missing tristan hahah.


stop posting those pics lol make me regret buying my Ba even more now :(

Haha yeah there are a few things missing in that picture, makes it look cleaner the washer i took out cause the jets were clogged and i needed new ones at 20 each i said no thanks mr ford man. so stayed with out them for a while. having no wiper jets was no worries for me as i never used them ever i hate looking at a windscrean with those ugly marks left buy them. Oh im so penadtic ...

[SBR_1]

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

I just put a plastic bag over the dizzy

Yeh mark.opps.lol

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by SBR_1

Yeh mark.opps.lol

well, beats getting water in it. My parent's car broke down after the mechanics degreased it when it was getting services, and got water in the dizzy. Gotta love Ford service!

I use stuff called shock treatment and a hot wash. works bloody well only thing is you can not leave it on any paint work to long as it will eat into it.....

I dont put a bag over the dizzy i just go for a drive and its comes all good

[whiteEF2]

after a wash i always start my car and the engine heats up drying anywater that is sitting ....is this bad?