Discussion
I give mine an occasional power wash with the engine cold and dry it off thoroughly with a blaster and leave it overnight to dry completely. I have done this with all my cars for years and never had a problem. Obviously I don't direct the full water blast into electrical components etc.
I use wet cloths, and a bit of degreaser (applied by hand) if necessary. Then go over most of it with All Purpose Cleaner.
I've never had the nerve to completely "wet wash" an engine! But if you think about it, with a Vantage when you wash it a load of water goes through the bonnet vents and onto the engine anyway! So as long as you don't blast water at the electrics it should be OK.
I've never had the nerve to completely "wet wash" an engine! But if you think about it, with a Vantage when you wash it a load of water goes through the bonnet vents and onto the engine anyway! So as long as you don't blast water at the electrics it should be OK.
On a cold engine I spray a dilute cleaner and use a paint brush to work it in
Cover alternator with cling film or bag
Pressure wash off with low pressure and no direct spraying of any connectors
Blow any big "puddles" of water off
Spray with a dilute dressing agent (Meguiars Hyper Dress for me)
Run the engine up to warm to set it on
I've done this at least once a year for too long with no issues and it ends up like this
Vantage S detail 019 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Cover alternator with cling film or bag
Pressure wash off with low pressure and no direct spraying of any connectors
Blow any big "puddles" of water off
Spray with a dilute dressing agent (Meguiars Hyper Dress for me)
Run the engine up to warm to set it on
I've done this at least once a year for too long with no issues and it ends up like this
Vantage S detail 019 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Jon39 said:
I recall that HRH once asked, "Has anyone seen where I put my engine cleaner (for the DB6 Volante)?"
"Today is his day off Sir."
You know, the best part about him being an Aston owner is that by all accounts he really uses his cars. Lots of mileage on them, not shy of a bit of dirt! (although I'm sure he probably does have a lad to run a cloth over them!)"Today is his day off Sir."
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 2nd August 10:11
Stuart Dickinson said:
You know, the best part about him being an Aston owner is that by all accounts he really uses his cars. Lots of mileage on them, not shy of a bit of dirt! (although I'm sure he probably does have a lad to run a cloth over them!)
I would like to think that HRH is able to enjoy his car.Presumably it might not be so easy, just to go for a drive as we do, because (following the wedding) the DB6 is so well known.
Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 3rd August 13:22
yeti said:
Did I read somewhere that the HRH DB6 runs on biofuel? I think I read he uses the dregs from his wineries and converts that to fuel...
Wonder if WS did the work..?
Isn't it illegal to make your own fuel because you aren't paying fuel duty? Or perhaps you can pay fuel duty in some indirect way and get permission to use non-retailed fuel ...Wonder if WS did the work..?
drcarrera said:
Isn't it illegal to make your own fuel because you aren't paying fuel duty? Or perhaps you can pay fuel duty in some indirect way and get permission to use non-retailed fuel ...
Never heard that, though of course it might be - I have a friend who ran his poor old Audi TDi on chip pan oil and diesel for a year and the practice was quite common on old style (pre-common rail) diesel engines. He sure as hell wasn't paying duty on it 
Not quite the same as using duty-free fuel i.e red diesel on the road.
yeti said:
Never heard that, though of course it might be - I have a friend who ran his poor old Audi TDi on chip pan oil and diesel for a year and the practice was quite common on old style (pre-common rail) diesel engines. He sure as hell wasn't paying duty on it
Not quite the same as using duty-free fuel i.e red diesel on the road.
I seem to recall you can knock up up to 2500 litres before you owe duty and if you use 2501 you owe on the lot.Not quite the same as using duty-free fuel i.e red diesel on the road.
malman said:
yeti said:
Never heard that, though of course it might be - I have a friend who ran his poor old Audi TDi on chip pan oil and diesel for a year and the practice was quite common on old style (pre-common rail) diesel engines. He sure as hell wasn't paying duty on it
Not quite the same as using duty-free fuel i.e red diesel on the road.
I seem to recall you can knock up up to 2500 litres before you owe duty and if you use 2501 you owe on the lot.Not quite the same as using duty-free fuel i.e red diesel on the road.
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