cleaning engine bay

[denviks]

hi guys n girls.i need of a little advice. i have just put a new turbo on my shogun ready for selling her but the engine bay looks untiday....it got that orrible dried dirty water look. whats the best way to clean it up. i was thinking about using muck-off. how would you suggest to do it?
any advive would be great....thanks in advance.

[paul_humphreys]

I would leave it as it is, as it shows that theres no oil leaks. I dont like to see a just cleaned engine when I am buying a car because you do not know whats been cleaned off.

[Budgie]

A steam clean is good, if you have one handy or local to you.
Otherwise I normally use a small pressure washer I have at home.
I give the engine bay a good going over with "Gunk" and leave it for about 30 minutes and then get the pressure asher in there.

Dont get the nozzle close to the engine parts & electrics as it may blow water past the seals/gaskets but from a distance it gets most of the muck off.  

[muddyweb]

Pressure wash it.

Steam cleaned engine bays always look suspicious....   it is reassuring to see at least a little grime in the engine bay of a used car.

[woody]

car showrooms always clean, valet the car and steam the engine bay
thats why you need a warrenty  :)
if buying private you need a good look over the vehicle
as there will be tell tale signs if the vehicle has been throwing oil out
and a good test drive :D

[TimM]

I always pressure wash my engine after going off road (its a Diesel) and I give everything a good blast, I try to be a little cautious around the electrics, they still get full pressure but only on a 'sweep' rahter than directly aiming at them.

This makes it all clean.

If I steam clean - or rather get someone to do it for me (haven't got a high pressure steamer only a household one) - is this going to make it look any better?

 :oops:

[michael4675]

I find the best way to clean an engine bay is to use a Gunk product which is for cleaning concrete. It comes in a small red plastic container, and is available at Halfords. Place this in a spray bottle, spray all the engine, work it into the dirty bits. Leave for a few minutes, then pressure wash off. The alloy will come up like new, with the rest being clean. After this you must spray the engine bay & engine with WD40 or the like, or the alloy parts will go white. But the WD40 gives the engine & engine bay a heathly shine. Hope this helps, if you require any further info contact me at, michael.hutin@tesco.net

[TimM]

Thanks Michael,

Will give it a try next time it needs it, but, won't the WD40 burn off?