[suee]

Now that cny is just around the corner, I am thinking of cleaning up the
engine bay.

Q. How best to clean up the engine bay by DIY?
Q. Any recommended professional cleaners?

Happy holidays to all!

suee.

[atlaw]

Hi suee,

In the 70s when I was a PDI subcontractor for Ford Motor Co. in London,
we used to prep new cars by steam blasting the engine bay with wax
remover mixed with kerosene (without a thought for the electrics), of
course that also removed the Ziebart antirust treatment (which we
remedied by using ICI black paint to paint over the missing bits)and also
blew off quite a few loose mechanical bits as well. Woudn't recommend
that.

Back home here, I spray on a mixture of ammonia glass cleaner liquid and
Kitchen grease remover, and then wash off with water (avoiding the fuse
box), and when that's finished off, I spray on some WD40 onto the
electric bits. This leaves a gleaming clean engine bay. However, I only
do this to my Honda CRV.

Don't dare do it to my Sportwagon though! So, a whole lot of help this is.

[suee]

atlaw, I guess you have yet to clean the engine bay of your sportwagon,
probably still clean?

suee.

[atlaw]

suee,

yes, still clean, the car is only 1 year 6 months new.

[wgt145]

suee,
There is a quick and easy way out.

Contrary to a popular belief in here, it is actually ok to send your car
to the 'under the tree'-RM10-carwash and jet spray your engine bay with
water, provided:
- they carefully cover the electronic parts first, particularly the fuse
box

- do not do it when your engine is super hot, as the sudden torrent of
cold water might cause some bits to crack - wait for a while

- make sure they diligently use the airgun and spray off all the water
residue. Remember, the airgun used won't usually dry up the area, but
rather, 'pushing' away the water, so make sure it is repeated more than
once, paying attentive details to all the electrical points.

Alternatively, you can always follow the old skool's path, piece of cloth,
kerosene, soap water, distill water and a minimum of three sweating hours -
definitely with a smile at the end.

Choice is yours.

Good luck.

[mikey90]

spraying water into engine bay? mad-ah? water and electronics don't mix so
well.. i wouldn't risk it if i were u!

'old skool path' as suggested by wgt145 is wad i'd do.. "but damn is this
country hot or what!!"

still smiling...

[Redd]

suee, if u have a 156 TS, the ECU is in the engine bay right where it
will get the most water. try pouring some water into ur PC. it's not
gonna like it, and neither will ur ECU.

other things that can fry in ur engine bay include the ABS ECU and
throttlebody (drive-by-wire).

so do it at ur own risk. u have been forewarned.

if u die die must clean ur engine bay, go at it with Simple Green and a
clean cloth. wet the cloth with simple green (non-petroleum based
cleaner, paint-friendly, wallet-unfriendly) and wipe down thoroughly. for
the areas that are OBVIOUSLY clear of electronics or particularly gungy -
ie cam cover, fluid containers, etc - u can spray simple green directly
on it, and let it soak for a while. then wipe off using another clean wet
cloth.

or else take it to a professional who wont just spray the engine bay with
a jetspray and hope for the best.

redd

[PeNyu]

Pakai degreaser ok tak ?

[zjaafar]

Why not doing it my style

Pro : You be able to clean whatever you want inside engine bay including
ECU or fuse box or etc..etc

Cons : Time consuming and you are so free that day no plan to go anywhere

Get it started in the morning 8.00 am. park your car at a good spot...,
get shaded in the morning and exposed to sun light at 11.00 am .

Remove your batery and start cleaning la. spray , polish , jet spray,
anti rush , degreaser , WD40 ., sensor , ECU, ABS, airbag, manifold
piston.., every single wire, clean whatever you can and .etc..etc..

Should be finished by 10 am and remove all the access water...., This is a
pre-drying process by air blow using whatever meant for blow job including
wife's hair dryer. .., vaccum cleaner, ..etc..etc.

then with bonnet wide open , let it exposed to the sun light for
traditional dryer technique, open up what ever cover like fuse cover,
spark plug cover . At this point dont install your battery yet.
While the whole engine bay having sun bathing process, u can start washing
the exterior follow by interior .., togehter with polish and vacuum
everything might take up almost 1 and half hour. ..., by the time you
complete averything at about 1 pm. ( lunch time) your engine bay should be
water free already. Before that , inform your wifes ir kids to get ready
for heavy lunch that day. Plug your battery and start your car. let it run
while you go taking bath and ready to go out for lunch with super shine
inside out Alfa.
Any problem call 1-800-koyak , 24 hrs , toll free for sure.

[lhl4pg3]

I will not dare to spray or use water to clean up the engine.
Dry cleaning, wipe with kitchen tower (little bit wet), that's all.
Think at the negative side, if after cleaning, you need to spend thousand
ringgit to start the engine, I rather to have the dirty engine.
Don't play play with the EU engine bay.