Engine bay cleaning/detailing

authentic · Post by **authentic** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:09 pm

I'm after something that you would basically coat the engine with (even the more delicate areas if possible), leave it for a short time then hose off.

I've seen a product called 'Gunk' which is a foaming degreaser type thing that you can coat everything with. It looks ideal but its only in the States by the looks of it.

I tried some standard degreaser from SCA on the lower parts of the engine but it was pretty shit. The direct nozzle wasn't suited for the task and it barely made an impact on the grime and dirt buildup down there.

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:33 pm

I vaguely recall a thread on this in which i think Simple Green is used. I think its on You Tube. Or may have come from Honda forum via the states. Will think about it for you. Wll have a look about it once i get back from next job tonight

Toolbox · Post by **Toolbox** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:43 pm

On a cold engine spray Simple Green let stand for 10-15 mins, rinse with low pressure hose,spray with Armor-All Foaming tire cleaner wait 10-15 mins then go for a drive.

This is the best way I have found yet.

Toolbox · Post by **Toolbox** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:44 pm

Sorry double post

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:01 pm

Watered down simply green and give it a hose off gently. Leave it to dry before you start the car for a while...

authentic · Post by **authentic** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:52 pm

Awesome, I'll give simple green a try. Where is the best place to get it?

marcellarius · Post by **marcellarius** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:07 pm

I have a bottle of automotive stuff that I picked up from Repco a couple of years back.

It does a good enough job of getting greasy stuff off non-porous surfaces, but I think my cam cover is going to need more serious work to get it looking nice again.

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:12 pm

Most hardware stores should have it, I know that Bunnings definitely stocks it.

I am going to be cleaning my engine soon, but I will give some of this stuff a try as I have a can of it here.
http://www.3inone.com.au/3inone/cleaner ... reaser.php

I suspect it will work similar to using simple green and will post how I get on one I have given it a shot

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:36 pm

You will need to give the engine a scrub once you have put the simple green on, it will not just work then hose off 20+ years of grime. Nothing is that good.

marcellarius · Post by **marcellarius** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:36 pm

Yeah

cleaned up my previous car. That took elbow grease, scrubbing and getting in with an old toothbrush. I finished off the cam cover with high temp clearcoat, which worked reasonably well.

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:16 pm

Others have confirmed simple green technique. Kerosene and a paint brush is good on super heavy deposits of grease and grime and then hose off with water. Go the aimple green after the heavy deposits have been sorted. Good luck. Keep us posted with how it works for you

Toolbox · Post by **Toolbox** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:23 pm

I have a 1993 1994 and a 1998 MX5 and I cleaned ALL their engine bays with Simple Green with no scrubbing at all ( very clean engine bays now)

Toolbox · Post by **Toolbox** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:28 pm

Yes I do go along with GRUVBB you could use kerosene first on any large build ups

Toolbox · Post by **Toolbox** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:28 pm

Not again double post

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:32 pm

Kero is cheap. Get it at pak n save for about $5 a litre. Sipermarkets are usually the cheaper rather than car shops

authentic · Post by **authentic** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:53 pm

Yeah I'm mainly trying to clean up the more visible areas where it isn't that dirty, but I'd like to get rid of as much as I can down low too. I'll post up some pics when I'm done. Cheers for all the tips!

NicF · Post by **NicF** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:01 pm

Just don't rinse the kero off in my neck of the woods, else I may have to infringe your ass

Yes I'm an enforcement officer with the Regional Council.

Actually you could try mixing some detergent with the kero, that would make it hose off better. The other thing to try may be Jif cleaner, I use it as handcleaner straight, then rinse it iff. Works better than swarfega.

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:34 pm

Once you apply the foaming tyre cleaner is it necessary to wash it off or does it stay on and dissapates itself??? And it is applied to engine and engine bay area i assume

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:47 pm

Before and after, simply green, toothbrush and a hose

authentic · Post by **authentic** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:23 pm

Must be one hell of a toothbrush to get rid of a charcoal canister

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:49 pm

authentic wrote:Must be one hell of a toothbrush to get rid of a charcoal canister

Very observant.

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:32 pm

Straight from the build thread... Did it all in 1 day

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:19 pm

authentic wrote:Must be one hell of a toothbrush to get rid of a charcoal canister

new invisiclean....works wonders.

whats good for renewing the alloy bits without melting the plastic?

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 7:52 am

Removing them to paint/polish. To be honest it's the only way. Do it once and you won't have to do it again...

Will get a pic later of the parts I've done for my spare engine so far. Intake manifold is today's job..

authentic · Post by **authentic** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 1:33 pm

Forgot to take a before photo, and my photography skills are average for this one, but this was after one spray down of simple green and a hose off. Minimal scrubbing. It definitely loosened off the surface dirt and grime, but there's still quite a bit there. Next time I'll get right in there with a brush. I'm planning to go all out and get the bay really clean, but theres not much point until summer comes along so for now I'll stay on top of it best I can.

Engine bay cleaning/detailing

Engine bay cleaning/detailing

Engine degreasing

Engine bay cleaning

Engine cleaning

Degreasing

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