Cleaning the engine bay??

[bomberh]

I wouldn't mind having a go at cleaning my engine bay or am I mad?

If there are others that do clean their engine bays along with the rest of their cars (I'm not on about full detailing)what cleaner do you use and how do you then rinse the cleaner off.

Cheers

[snuffy]

I clean my engine bay but I just give it a wipe with a damp cloth, maybe spraying a bit of cleaner on the surfaces first (last time I might have just a bit of spray wax polish I think) and that's about it.

There's not that much to see in the Vantage engine bay and therefore not that much to get dirty.

[mikey k]

How brave are you feeling

Once a year or so (overdue ) I use gunk and a paint brush to clean it right down then hose it off (avoiding alternator & fuse boxes)
I then dry it off with out starting the engine
A liberal spray of Meguiars Hyperdress to taste start the engine to "bake" it on
End result


Vantage S detail 019 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

[mikey k]

snuffy said:

There's not that much to see in the Vantage engine bay and therefore not that much to get dirty.

I disagree with that (see above)
My engine bay is VERY dirty after my Eurohoons

[V8 Animal]

mikey k said:

I disagree with that (see above)
My engine bay is VERY dirty after my Eurohoons

There's less room in mine

[drofnavi]

I power wash mine occasionally when the engine is warm (not hot) and treat with Autoglym vinyl & rubber dressing while still wet. Then I dry it very thoroughly with my blaster and allow to stand for several hours before starting.
I have followed this regeime on all my cars for many years and I have never had a problem.

[bomberh]

Thanks for all the replies. So what needs covering up with cling film when washing the engine bay?

[Gio1210]

mikey k said:

How brave are you feeling

Once a year or so (overdue ) I use gunk and a paint brush to clean it right down then hose it off (avoiding alternator & fuse boxes)
I then dry it off with out starting the engine
A liberal spray of Meguiars Hyperdress to taste start the engine to "bake" it on
End result


Vantage S detail 019 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Very good result!!! The only thing that spoils the look is that foil (not just yours, every V8 i've seen till now)

[Gio1210]

bomberh said:

Thanks for all the replies. So what needs covering up with cling film when washing the engine bay?

As Mike said, alternator & fuse boxes and anything else that looks exposed (wires, connectors etc).

Just make sure you dont over do it with the pressure wash.

Steam clean might be another option, tried it once and the results are not that good.

[drofnavi]

I don't cover up anything, just don't point the water jet into the alternator etc.
As I stated above, the secret is to let it all get properly dry before starting. I leave mine overnight or longer after washing and drying. To properly dry it out you need a blaster or an airline.

[bomberh]

What about cleaning the engine bay while the engine is running?

Have a pressure washer with an adjustable nozzle so I could the jet down a little so its not so harsh?

[V8 Animal]

bomberh said:

What about cleaning the engine bay while the engine is running?

Have a pressure washer with an adjustable nozzle so I could the jet down a little so its not so harsh?

I wouldn't. Use G101 and then hose off dab dry it then run the engine for 10 mins

[Aml21s]

me too i would like to clean it but rather i just wipe it with a damp cloth, i am using silicone oil now for the seal doorand rubber around too with other rubber product, wandering if cleaning the motor hoses with silicone oil will rehydrate them or what will?

[Go60 Jay]

I just use engine degreaser spray. It’s basically watered down fairy liquid. Or at least it seems like it and works really well. Then I wipe over with a damp cloth and a finishing cloth. Finally I spray autoglym tyre dressing. It takes about 20 mins in total. The car is on 57,000 miles.

John

[Go60 Jay]

[Blitzuk]

Go60 Jay said:

That's a proper job john. Your Vantage engine bay looks fantastic.

[Go60 Jay]

Thank, that’s nice of you to say. ☺️

To be fair, they’re pretty clean engines. Oil drum tight, so mostly just road dust blowing in. It doesn’t take long or much effort at all.

John

[ashenfie]

bomberh said:

What about cleaning the engine bay while the engine is running?

Have a pressure washer with an adjustable nozzle so I could the jet down a little so its not so harsh?

I use to do this until someone pointed out that the air intake sucks air in while the engine is running,thats likely to suck water mist from the jet spray

[Aml21s]

not to mess around but since the tire dressing is bad for tires, (at 2 levels, its dires it out and can go under the tire footprint and make you loose control, i stay well away from these now since a long time, i loved the tire shine on tire but i will never do it again. i cant imagine if there is the heat on top from engine, I will not do that, i wnader if indeed silicone oil is good too as i was planing to do, i rather just use a damp cloth with water and soap instead.