Engine Bay Cleaning

[Drew-B6]

Ok just to see what everyone does, what is the best way and products to use to get the engine bay all clean? I take it too the car was and it just doesn't seem to do the job.

[[email protected]]

Get some p21s auto wash and spray it into the engine bay when it is warm after you drove home and close the hood.

Let sit a couple of minutes, power wash the engine bay and while it is steaming respray the engine bay one more time with the p21s, close the hood and let the steam work.

Wait about 10 minutes and power wash it one last time and you'll have a clean engine bay.

[ortizedgar]

Purple Power {liquid degreaser}, little scrub pad and ( i dont trust power washing ) just rinse it off, thats wat i do.

heres my bay

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/h...r/DSC06638.jpg

[El_Chapusca]

Make sure to wash the engine while the car is ON. Spoke wheel degreaser and some diswashing soap will do the job. Bristle clean all around and power wash. Dont keep the water stream in one area for more than 10 seconds. Spray hi gloss interior dressing and wipe to a shine with a clean pad and your all done

[n7plus1]

simple green automotive degreaser

[Capt. Obvious]

Simple Green.

I always wash my engine with the engine off. Just don't sit there and spray the alternator for half a minute or anything and you'll be fine. I usually start the car immediately afterward to make sure it starts okay and to get some heat in there to dry everything out.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

i wouldn't wash mine again.

[martini]

simple green.. then some adams polishes VRT and some adams in and out spray or whatever they replaced that with

[a2gtinut]

power washing engine bay - bad idea.

[Rockclimbersh]

One more vote FOR simple green. One more vote AGAINST power washing... you lose too much control.

[Capt. Obvious]

power washing engine bay - bad idea.

I power wash my engine bay 2-3 times a year. If you aren't an idiot and don't sit there and spray sensors and wire connections, you're not gonna hurt anything.

[Rockclimbersh]

IMO there's alot of risk there... people get really happy with a power washer and usually go too far. I agree if you know where not to spray it can save you some time and elbow grease. I'd rather be safe since I'm a novice.

[B6Lovin]

I power wash my engine bay 2-3 times a year. If you aren't an idiot and don't sit there and spray sensors and wire connections, you're not gonna hurt anything.

and as long as you're not the idiot who uses the smallest/most powerful tip and cuts through things LOL

i cut the end off one of my shoes once, that was a close call (more like blasted the toe open than cut.. but you get the general picture)

i usually just purple power my engine the same way winston described to let it "steam clean" but i just use a hose 90% of the time.

and a scotch brite pad if something is really grimy.

[A4natomical]

soap and water and a little elbow grease. i can eat out of my engine bay.
i always cover my alternator with a rag.

[lookaught]

I use soap and a boar's hair brush... sometimes a wheel brush for hard to reach spots. Powerwashing is a last resort, I've done it, but you do need to be very careful.

My engine bay looks like a brand new car. I think I'll take a pic tonight. I credit the previous owner a lot for really keeping it clean for 77k miles. Then again, I wouldnt expect anything less from a man who tiled his garage floor ... I was jealous.

[jzwecker_s4]

once you used soap and the brush how did you get the soap off of the engine bay? did you just leave it there or you used something to dry it down? thanks

[jubei4769]

once you used soap and the brush how did you get the soap off of the engine bay? did you just leave it there or you used something to dry it down? thanks

I used simple green and then wash the engine down with a very light mist of water


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[texasboy21]

Water and my Audi do not mix. I would never hose down my engine bay. I use a rag and bottle like this:

[diagnosticator]

Simple Green is OK, but in my experience, compared to Castrol Super Clean, it is weak sauce. I use and recommend Castrol Super Clean. To clean the engine bay, start with the car cold, and use a utility spray bottle filled with Super Clean. Spray the cleaner on all of the engine bay surfaces and allow to soak for a few minutes. Next, spray the engine bay again with Super Clean, then use a car wash high pressure spray set on Rinse, and wash all the surfaces that have Super Clean applied. Rinse thoroughly, and also rinse the outside that has any overspray splashed on it. Be sure to spray the Super Clean on all the nooks and hidden areas as well and rinse all the hard to see areas. Clean the engine bay and the engine separately. The results will amaze you, it will look like new under the hood when done. Repeat after the engine bay is dry if needed to get any areas missed the first time. Once you see how well Castrol Super Clean does the job, you won't want to use anything else. When cleaning the engine, cover the alternator with a plastic bag to keep the Super Clean out of the windings, I damaged an alternator once letting Super Clean soak on the windings. In any case, don't allow the Super clean to soak on the surfaces for more than a couple of minutes before rinsing, it is very caustic and can soften the paint if left to soak to long. You won't damage anything if you understand this, and don't allow the Super Clean to soak any longer than needed to loosen and emulsify the dirt.

Super Clean is also excellent for cleaning wheels and tires. Just be sure to rinse off of the paint work immediately if over spray gets on the body paint. If the wheels are removed from the car, just spray Super Clean on the inside of the wheel, use a parts cleaning brush, and keep the surfaces wet with cleaner while brushing, then rinse thoroughly. A garden hose spray is enough pressure for wheels and tires. I spray my wheels and tires first at the car wash, with Super Clean, then wash as usual with the foaming brush and rinse. Do not apply Super Clean to unpainted aluminum, it will attack the aluminum and discolor it grey. Painted aluminum or clear coated aluminum is protected from direct contact so won't be discolored, just rinse after application as above. Super Clean will clean the wheels and tires quickly without any scrubbing being needed, it is just an amazing cleaner. It is very strong and caustic, (the opposite pH of acidic,) but this is why it works so well.

In addition to the above uses, Castro Super Clean is also very effective for cleaning the brakes before installing new brake pads. Works better than spray can Brake Clean. To clean the brake caliper and rotor assemblies, first jack up the car and place on jack stands, then remove the wheels. Next, using a utility spray bottle filled with Super Clean, spray the cleaner on the brake calipers and rotors, as well as the suspension nearby. On very thick dirt, using a stiff brush will help. Keep the surfaces wet with cleaner while brushing everything, then re spray any parts that have dried out, then rinse with a garden hose. Drip dry. The brakes will be completely clean like new after cleaning with Super Clean, making the brake disassembly and reassembly a lot easier and without the mess from the brake dust that is usually the case working on brakes.

Always use eye protection and rubber gloves when using Super Clean. When used according to these procedures and the instructions on the bottle, Castrol Super Clean is safe, non toxic, and biodegradable.

[rocky.ca]

Holy necrobump.

I use zep citrus cleaner full strength from HD. Works well. Spray it all over agitate the nasty shit and hose down. Try to use a misty stream, not direct

[[email protected]]

Simple Green is OK, but in my experience, compared to Castrol Super Clean, it is weak sauce. I use and recommend Castrol Super Clean.
<snip>

Always use eye protection and rubber gloves when using Super Clean. When used according to these procedures and the instructions on the bottle, Castrol Super Clean is safe, non toxic, and biodegradable.

I was imagining you speaking in an informercial testimonial when reading the reply.

[J Boy]

i just use an air compressor to spray the dirt

good enough