edge Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 I get the engine upto temp, turn off and cover with gunk and brush the bad bits. I then use my home steam cleaner i got from argos to get all the tricky bits clean and pressure wash the rest and wipe dry then run the engine again. Just avoid blasting the electrical bits too much and a hot block with cold water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 jamie, when you pressure wash your engine do you first wrap the electrical bits in clingfilm or something? Edge, how about you? cling film electrics for protection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 jamie, when you pressure wash your engine do you first wrap the electrical bits in clingfilm or something? Edge, how about you? cling film electrics for protection? I use to, i dont have much in the way of electrics in the engine bay these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supralad Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 hmmm ive been tempted to do this as well, but i opted for the by hand option. As H said, i would end up developing some serious problem for cleaning something that doesnt really need to be cleaned and would end up topping myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 sod it. I am going to jet wash my engine this weekend. I will take before and after pictures for you all too, and note down my method. Jamie, should I run the engine a bit first to get the temp up or does that not really matter? should I cover the altenator with clingfilm? what else in particular needs to be covered? I will cover the spark plug cover holes and go nowhere near the top of the engine anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Dont blame me if it goes wrong:D i dont cover alternator or anything for that matter, never warm it up either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCK10 Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I heard on another forum that you should leave the engine running the full time? Infact, here the quote from the thread (the guys a valeter) start engine, tfr the full engine bay, engine and bottom side of the bonnet, then get the heat cranked up and get stuck in with a pressure washer then take the car a run, but LEAVE IT RUN THE WHOLE TIME!!!! infact if your a valeter you must know this, either that or you dont do a very good job! I dont know much on this, so can anyone clarify if its true or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mas Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Dont blame me if it goes wrong:D i dont cover alternator or anything for that matter, never warm it up either. The RS4 engine ofcourse is a much easier cleaning job than a supra I guess, there is so much better surface to clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul372 Posted September 7, 2010 Author Share Posted September 7, 2010 got mine book in now for the 20th to have a engine steam clean and polish the guy seems to know his stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 This is jims uk supe i done a few weeks back After Just got it nice and warm then switched off. Careful not blast too many electrical bits, a few chemicals and a bit of elbow grease and pretty shiny stuff and a cup of tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 did you cover the electrics with clingfilm/tinfoil/bags? Looks great by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 oi edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 (edited) Jackso, seriously mate, just get out and crack on Personally i wouldnt steam clean, i also dont believe you need to use a pressure washer on full pelt. Some cars you can get away with it if there are huge covers over everything, but even then still not 'needed' Get yourself a bucket with warm water and car shampoo and a selction of small sponges and brushes. You can cover any major electrical parts in clingfilm or just use your common sense and dont drench them. Lightly soak everywhere in the hot soapy water. Spray everything in a solution of All Purpose Cleaner and an Engine & Machine Cleaner for the more heavily greased areas. Leave it to soak in and start lifting the grease and dirt away for a few mins. Get stuck in with the brushes and sponges into every nook and cranny you can (expect to get scraped knuckles ) Respray areas with the above products as you go where you feel its needed. It honestly does come down to good old elbow grease to get things cleaned up. Dont think you can just spray a product on and jet wash it off and all will be rosy. Once clean, give everywhere i quick wipe down with a sponge and the warm soapy water incase any dirt has been washed over parts as you moved around the bay cleaning. Now, you dont need mass water pressure to rinse everything off. You can use a hose with a gentle trickle coming out, a watering can or i often use a pressure washer but turned off so you still get a powerful ish spray coming out but not one thats gona rip things apart. Start the engine and leave it running for 5 mins, you will get steam coming out which is expected. Now all is clean and rinsed you need a product to make everything look nice and protect it. I always use aerospace 303. You can either dry everything with cloths, spray the product everywhere and leave for 5 mins and then buff off. Or a better way is when the bay is wet, spray the 303 litterally everywhere, shut the bonnet and leave it for a good 4-5 hours. Because it is a water based product it will dry completely streak free and look fantastic. Job done Have a look through my trader thread to see many examples of how i have done bays. Edited September 9, 2010 by Stonkin (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 did you cover the electrics with clingfilm/tinfoil/bags? Looks great by the way! Nope! And i didnt even have a pressure washer round jims so it was just a bit more scrubbing and a hose pipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopgunTT Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 When are you free again mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 When are you free again mate When you can assure me it will be roasting hot outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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