What's the best way/product to clean a very dirty engine and engine bay ? Engine is just generally dirty everywhere and the engine bay has a yellow coating that apparently was caused by the vehicle being wax oiled !

Any ideas ?

 

Hi mate Meguiars Super Degreaser comes highly recommended on here & the something like 303 Aerospace Protectant to protect the plastics & hoses after, polish bliss is a good place to get all you bits they have some good guides on there aswell

 

Thanks mate

I've bought some bits from Polished Bliss before and the service has been excellent

 

Cover the alternator, intercooler and fuse box, other obvious electrical connections. APC/ degreaser of your choice. Spray liberally and allow to soak for 5 mins at least. Daisy mixed 1:4 with water is great for normal grime in the engine bay. Couple of old toothbrushes or similar for ingrained bits. Low pressure hose to rinse. Allow engine to dry by leaving engine to tickover for several minutes. AG tyre and rubber care or similar to finish. Again leave engine to tick over to dry the finish. Look and enjoy

 

Why cover the intercooler was yours already clean ??

 

Or if onna budget,Gunk,paintbrush and silicon spray to protect.Gunk is a very powerfull cleaner so read the instructions first,silicon spray is super slippy dont geddit on yer brakes or tyres.

 

Anyone know if the Meguiars Super Degreaser will remove the wax oil by just spraying on and hosing off ?

I've tried some normal degreaser today and it will remove it by spraying on and wiping off with a cloth but it's hard work and obviously can't get into everywhere.

If the Super Degreaser will remove it by just spraying on and hosing it off then that'll be perfect

 

Very good advise. Open hose is best idea, you could use a low set pressure washer but main thing is just don't force water where it shouldn't be going.
If you can reach the bodywork bits then a strong (like Prime Strong) polish would be good for afters protecting.


When I did mine afraid elbow grease was still required in some areas. On top of the alternator I had oily grease and was back to the old manual rubbing.
Have you tried a toothbrush as mentioned (just not the same one you plan on using that night ) ?

 

When doing scooby engines I cover up the altenator and battery terminals then spray with super degreaser or APC (APC is fine if it's just mildly dirty), agitate with a brush and then rinse with the pressure washer. Start the car up and let it run for 5 or 10 mins to help with drying and then apply 303 Aerospace Protectant to prevent dirt sticking in future. Pressure washers are fine as long as you dont hold the nozzle something daft like 5mm away from electrical components etc!

For the yellow wax coating you'll more than likely need something like Autosmart Tardis to remove this as it can be quite thick and stubborn to remove in places - Tardis is really good for this and transport wax on new cars etc

This is my engine bay after using the above process:

 

looks OK you have a stunning car mate

 

any tips on washing the sti IC without removing the sti markings, I was going to use some alloy wheel cleaner but was worried it may be too harsh, it has a dusty oval shadow on it.

 

these spam bots are getting quite clever either that or some sad b*stard is doing it manually

 

When I do mine I just use some APC (All Purpose Cleaner) and a brush (Meguiars Interior Brush is actually very good!) to remove the dead bugs etc, I rinse it off with light pressure from the pressure washer and jobs a good un'!

 

If I pressure wash the engine bay ( electricals covered as suggested ), it is OK to leave it to air dry ? The car hasn't run for a long time, and I'd like to get all the grime out before I start work in there ( cam belt etc ).

 

yes mate not a problem,your car has been washed before or driven in the rain?.SJ.