Engine detail help please

[robemcdonald]

I wonder if someone can give me some advice:
I am thinking about cleaning / detailing the engine bay of my old alfa sprint. Whilst it isn't exactly filthy (no oil leaks etc) it looks exactly like you'd expect a 22 year old cars engine bay to look.
I'd be grateful for any basic tips (should i start with a steam clean?) or pointing in the right direction.
The aim of the project isn't concourse or even show car, but just nice and tidy and clean.

Thanks in advance

Rob.

[Defcon5]

I would imagine a steam cleaner will get water into all sort of places is shouldnt. Smother everything in degreaser and hose down maybe?

[domster]

It's really a question of covering up any electrically-sensitive areas (are there any in a 22 year old Alfa apart from the dizzy cap? ) with cling film, dressing the dirty bits in a degreasing/strong cleaning agent and then going carefully with a hose (not pressure washer, it can be a bit too powerful for this job), cloths and sprays. You could use a steam cleaner in the more robust areas, keeping away from air intakes, oil/grease seals, electrically sensitive areas etc. but a spray, stiff brush and arms like Mr Tickle are all you really need. Plus patience, metal polish, Quick Detailer or other mild dressing for the hoses etc.

[kds keltec]

When we clean engine bays, we use a combo of water (high and low pressure) and different clean chemicals such as APC (all purpose cleaner) degreasers such as bilt hamber surfex HD and sometimes alloy wheel cleaners (diluted down) to clean alloy parts .

As you have an old Alfa here's one done by us before .



after




around old electrics we use just water spray bottles and old tooth brushes with mild cleaners such as below on this 40 year old ferrari engine .

before







after





when washing with jet wash cover electrics with bin bag and hold in place with cable ties / masking tape / or kitchen silver foil

HTH

Kelly

[robemcdonald]

Thanks for the advice.

I had a bit of a look on you tube as well. I ended up using gunk de greaser and a dress up engine spray. The result wasn't as good as the examples above, but represented a massive improvement over the original condition. Still plenty of work to do.

[Defcon5]

What did you do? spray it on and rinse off?

[robemcdonald]

First i put bags over the alternator, distributer cap and a couple of other bits and bobs.
Next any exposed wiring I sprayed with wd40.
Then i sprayed on the gunk and made sure everything was well covered.
I then left it to stand for about 10 minutes.
Next stage i used a soft bristled conical alloy wheel brush to get to those hard to reach areas.
Then i washed down with a garden hose (light spray pattern)
Remove all bags etc
Start engine and left running until everything was nice and dry.
Finally sprayed on the dress up spray on all the black bits and hoses.

Have started it and driven it several time since with no issues.... Well see tomorrow morning.

Fingers crossed.

[kds keltec]

Gunk is an ok product , but leaves a not nice smell , i find bilt hambers degreaser works much better in all aspects really , good price too .

kelly