Notices
ScoobyNet General General Subaru Discussion

BEST WAY TO CLEAN AN ENGINE BAY?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 7, 2007 | 12:55 AM
  #1  
harry_p1's Avatar
harry_p1
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London
Default BEST WAY TO CLEAN AN ENGINE BAY?

Ive had my 03 WRX STI PPP afew months now and the engine bay just isnt as it was when i bought it, whats the best and most safe way to clean the engine bay?
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 01:06 AM
  #2  
totalllama's Avatar
totalllama
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
Default

The way i done it,

Morrisons bag round the alternator,
spray with chosen degreaser,
wait a bit and scrub badly soild bits,
Hose off with water


Rinse and reapeat
Made it look like new
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 01:22 AM
  #3  
maydew's Avatar
maydew
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,316
Likes: 0
From: midlands
Default

hi mate i done mine today its an 03 sti with 30k on the clock and never had been cleaned still had all that wax stuck to everythin.i used car plan tetroclean from any motor factors i tried gunk and would not shift the wax,i used a paint brush to apply the tetroclean and washed off using water in a spray bottle its very effective everythin came up like brand new just wish i had taken a before pic now as it was pretty dirty. i have read alot using the above method but down to your own preference really i wouldnt but i aint read anythin bad by using that method show us some before and after pics heres my after
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 03:45 AM
  #4  
fleetwood lad 118's Avatar
fleetwood lad 118
Scooby Newbie
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default clean engine bay


Hi mate i can highly recommend you take your car down to scoobyteknix fleetwood & let webby steam clean it,he did my 1994 impreza turbo last week & i can honestly say it looks brand new & it`s nearly 13 years old excellent job.
Neil
ScoobyTeknixUK the North West Subaru Performance Specialists.
tel;01253 871188
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 09:41 AM
  #5  
TonyBurns's Avatar
TonyBurns
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 2
From: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
Default

All I will say is if you get water on your alternator it could lead you to a very big bill for a new one

Tony
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 09:44 AM
  #6  
Gear Head's Avatar
Gear Head
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
Default

Originally Posted by TonyBurns
All I will say is if you get water on your alternator it could lead you to a very big bill for a new one

Tony
Only on the newage cars tony!
I can get starters/alternators from TA Spares in Chatham, Kent for around £60 each.
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 09:48 AM
  #7  
scoobysmiff's Avatar
scoobysmiff
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: I want a Spec C!
Default

Originally Posted by totalllama
The way i done it,

Morrisons bag round the alternator,
spray with chosen degreaser,
wait a bit and scrub badly soild bits,
Hose off with water


Rinse and reapeat
Made it look like new
Does it have to be a Morrisons bag? i only have a tesco's one are they not as good or will it be suffice for this type of application
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 12:07 PM
  #8  
Gear Head's Avatar
Gear Head
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
Default

I use asda!
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 12:14 PM
  #9  
pslewis's Avatar
pslewis
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 32,398
Likes: 1
From: Old Codgers Home
Default

This has been done a few times and I have yet to beat my method ....

1. Buy 2 Cans of Engine Cleaner from the PoundShop

2. Warm Engine

3. Cover the Intercooler fins with cardboard - bag up the Alarm

4. Spray 1 can all over engine and leave to soak for 1 hour

5. Start Engine and spray the other can all over engine again + surrounding bodywork

6. Get PowerWash out of Garage, should take 20minutes

7. Wash the Engine and Bay - KEEP ENGINE RUNNING!!

8. Close bonnet with engine still running - this gives it a brilliant steam clean

9. Take car for drive

10. Open bonnet and admire the £2 Engine Bay clean that cannot be beaten!

To do anything else is a waste of time and effort IMO
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 12:53 PM
  #10  
rooferman's Avatar
rooferman
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,377
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by chrispurvis100
Only on the newage cars tony!
I can get starters/alternators from TA Spares in Chatham, Kent for around £60 each.
Scoobybits do alternators cheaper than that....
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 01:01 PM
  #11  
Pete's Avatar
Pete
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,151
Likes: 7
From: Shropshire
Default

Just drive the thing......lol
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 01:49 PM
  #12  
SC008Y_MAD's Avatar
SC008Y_MAD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,948
Likes: 0
From: Bedfordshire
Default

Hows this for a clean...

before



After



All it took was a whole day with a steam presure washer.
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 01:52 PM
  #13  
pslewis's Avatar
pslewis
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 32,398
Likes: 1
From: Old Codgers Home
Default

Originally Posted by SC008Y_MAD
All it took was a whole day with a steam presure washer.
A day out of your life??

Imagine your last day on earth, you are given the choice what to do with it - would you choose to clean your engine??
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 01:53 PM
  #14  
SC008Y_MAD's Avatar
SC008Y_MAD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,948
Likes: 0
From: Bedfordshire
Default

Ahhh, but what I did not say was that I did not steam clean it myself. Scoobyclinic mechanic did
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 02:22 PM
  #15  
pslewis's Avatar
pslewis
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 32,398
Likes: 1
From: Old Codgers Home
Default

So, you lost money AND your car for a day??

While the rest of us were enjoying our vehicles
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 02:29 PM
  #16  
Simon 69's Avatar
Simon 69
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 0
From: GC8 Enthusiast - Scumball3000 Team 69
Default

Originally Posted by pslewis
...Cover the Intercooler fins with cardboard...
A trifle **** Peter.....
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 03:10 PM
  #17  
pslewis's Avatar
pslewis
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 32,398
Likes: 1
From: Old Codgers Home
Default

Originally Posted by Simon 69
A trifle, **** Peter.....
I found that Trifle didn't protect as well as something a bit sturdier - but you continue with the sloppy stuff
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 03:13 PM
  #18  
myblackwrx's Avatar
myblackwrx
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,787
Likes: 1
From: Dorset
Default

Originally Posted by pslewis
I found that Trifle didn't protect as well as something a bit sturdier - but you continue with the sloppy stuff
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 05:10 PM
  #19  
SC008Y_MAD's Avatar
SC008Y_MAD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,948
Likes: 0
From: Bedfordshire
Default

Originally Posted by pslewis
So, you lost money AND your car for a day??

While the rest of us were enjoying our vehicles
They did it whilst where doing 'some' work on my Impreza.
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 09:47 PM
  #20  
harry_p1's Avatar
harry_p1
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London
Default

Cheers all for the replies, will have a go this coming weekend
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 10:01 PM
  #21  
Shark Man's Avatar
Shark Man
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 0
From: Ascended to the next level
Default

Alternator is waterproof...well on Classics it is, have YET to find ANY car that has suffered alternator damage from water after pressure washing.

Alarm siren however, is not...cover it!


Mud in alternators on the otherhand...big problem (dries on teh brushes which then stick).


Here's teh proof: 10 year old car, cleaned with degreaser and hot water pressurewasher/steam cleaner, this pic was taken BEFORE any protective laquer was applied (laquer can make dirt shine..so thats cheating )....

Name:  imprezaengineIMG_0510.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  118.0 KB

f**k-off huge pic here (if your bothered) http://www.nataz.pwp.blueyonder.co.u...neIMG_0510.jpg

Alternator still works too And the fins were bent before cleaning - Main Dealer mechanic used it as a tool tray (although something else to avoid direct aims of the nozzle at close range)

Last edited by Shark Man; May 7, 2007 at 10:05 PM.
Reply
Old May 7, 2007 | 11:14 PM
  #22  
tonybooth's Avatar
tonybooth
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 0
From: In Faecorum Semper Solum Profundum Variat
Default

Originally Posted by Shark Man
Alternator is waterproof...well on Classics it is, have YET to find ANY car that has suffered alternator damage from water after pressure washing
Old Mercedes did not like it First time I have ever had a problem in 20 odd years - Even my Chevette never complained!!

T
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
Dec 28, 2015 11:07 PM
Sub-Subaru
General Technical
1
Sep 28, 2015 12:47 PM
shorty87
Other Marques
0
Sep 25, 2015 08:52 PM
hedgecutter
ScoobyNet General
4
Sep 25, 2015 11:42 AM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:10 PM.