Muddy Engine

[Berliner Beer]

Just stopped to fill up the washer bottle to find half of whaddon in the engine bay. :oops:  I know it was ages ago and I havent even lifted the bonet!  :oops: My question is what is the safest way to clean the engine bay? Its running great! and I dont what to do any damage.
Tut Tut Tut ! :oops:  

Ps Happy Christmas Every One !  

[ian_s]

if its just mud, then a good dousing in water should do it, not a jet wash, but say a garden hose with a jet attachment.

[stratie]

Go to you're local motor cross/road bike shop and ask for some *muck off*  (it's a spray) hose you're engine down, spray on the muck off and give it 5 mins to work.Then hose it off again, job's a good un  

[thermidorthelobster]

If it's a diesel then you can be a bit more cavalier, but if it's a petrol then you might want to give it time to dry out, or whack some WD40 around, before you start it.

[laser_jock99]

If it's a diesel then you can be a bit more cavalier, but if it's a petrol then you might want to give it time to dry out, or whack some WD40 around, before you start it.

Diesel- go to the local jetwash, leave it running- then give it some (to the bewilderment of on lookers!). Mind the air intakes, fuse boxes etc.

Petrol- as above- but avoid anything obviously electrical including the HT system.

[thermidorthelobster]

If you use a jet, avoid the radiator too.

[Ja1983]

..and drive belts! also aviod grease points/areas where water is NOT good ie, oil filler! (mate thought jet washing it blew his head gasket  :lol: - fool!)

[laser_jock99]

If you use a jet, avoid the radiator too.

You can jet wash the radiator- just don't go too close with it- that's what can punch holes into the thin pipes.  I wouldn't go any closer than 10-12" (depending on the pressure of the jet and how thin and corroded your rad is!). Might be safer just to thoroughly wet the (cold) rad first and brush the mud out with a dustpan type hand brush.

[BigA]

i always find that mud either helps prevent oil leeks, or at least helps me pinpoint where there coming from  :lol:

why clean it off, it just gets muddy again  :twisted:

Andy

[muddyweb]

why clean it off, it just gets muddy again  :twisted:

All joking aside......

It insulates the engine, making it run hotter
Mud can be very nasty stuff... it can be acidic or alkaline... neither of which are good for your engine, seals, electrical systems, etc. etc.
It can reduce the efficiency of radiators, oil coolers and intercoolers making your engine work harder and less efficiently.


Cleaning...   I don't like using a jet wash on the engine, as it can carry a fair bit of pressure and it can get past seals, gaskets, etc.   it can also work it's way into wiring looms and can give problems in later life.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that Diesel engine is immune to water ingress... it isn't.

I use a hose, and do it when I get back from the event... that way it doesn't all get backed on, mixed with oil / grease, etc.

[BigA]

All joking aside......

It insulates the engine, making it run hotter
Mud can be very nasty stuff... it can be acidic or alkaline... neither of which are good for your engine, seals, electrical systems, etc. etc.
It can reduce the efficiency of radiators, oil coolers and intercoolers making your engine work harder and less efficiently.

OK, that's a fair comment....... to be serious then..... i use my garden hose, set the nozzle to spray jetish type setting and clean the worst off.

I have replaced that many parts over the last 6 months that most of the mud comes of fairly easily  :?

Andy