Cleaning engine??

[2001_VXSS]

hey,

i am wanting to clean my engine bay up and make it look nice, but im not quite sure on how to go about it.
for example if i go the a car wash and use the "tyre and Engine" wash option can i just spray it over engine and scrub with a cloth or something? or will the water damage some parts?
or do i have to go with a bucket and cloth and place the water where i want it. if that makes any sense..
all help is very appreciated.
cheers

[System]

i dont even USE water lol

it may be something not everyone else does, but i just use degreaser and a rag over the metal parts (just spray on, then rub off), and armor-all for the rubber/plastic parts, like leads, wires, hoses etc.

Tried the engine cleaner spray at the car wash at seaford- ended up messin with the electrics, not fun lol, had to wait for it all to dry to start it up again.

i'll do a quick go over again (its abit dusty :P) and post some grainy phone-camera pics tomorrow for u

[rcnugget]

cover your intake/coolant sensors if you are going to bust out the water blaster or hose

[Ozzie]

As rcnugget suggested and also a bit of degreaser wouldnt hurt if its really dirty.

If you have the patience you could make it look like this Clean Engine

[TVR-190]

cover your battery and air intake for sure, if you have Cruise control make sure its covered, i have a feeling that how i managed to break mine...

[VYMAD]

I stick to what an old mechanic told me back when i had the V.H. Never wash a hot or even warm engine as this causes condensation to get in to things. I know because before he told me that i did my V.H. and condensation got into the electronic ignition module-DOHHH!!!! I had to pull it apart and dry it out then apply special grease etc. I've done my V.Y. and the V.S. I had heaps of times while cold and no probs. I've never used high pressure though, just a normal garden hose.

[TVR-190]

I stick to what an old mechanic told me back when i had the V.H. Never wash a hot or even warm engine as this causes condensation to get in to things. I know because before he told me that i did my V.H. and condensation got into the electronic ignition module-DOHHH!!!! I had to pull it apart and dry it out then apply special grease etc. I've done my V.Y. and the V.S. I had heaps of times while cold and no probs. I've never used high pressure though, just a normal garden hose.

you should never use a high pressure hose on your engine, and yes doing it hot is a bad idea, you can crack or break major components if you hose them while they are hot, e.g headers....

[2001_VXSS]

thanks for the advice ppl.
Ozzie that looks amazing.. i want mine to look like that. am wanting to wash car on sun, so will clean engine as well then will post some pictures of how it turned out.
hopefully like urs ozzie. lol
cheers

[SIG-054]

Thats why you are supposed to use hot high pressure water to clean things, and always blow out with compressed air after, never had a problem.

[Ozzie]

High preasure blasting wont do much beside damage components.
If you want an effeciant clean use steam

[vxcalais_01]

Use degreaser, like the Kenco etc and rinse off with bucket or water or from a watering can. That way water is not pushed into where it shouldnt go.

[Stupa]

with a cold engine, start then wash (low pressure)

[VYMAD]

Yeh as long as the engine is cold you can wash everything down and then give it a quick rinse with the garden hose. I wouldn't go spraying water all over everything for ages though! Just a quick rinse then i go over it all with an old chammois.

[SIG-054]

High preasure blasting wont do much beside damage components.
If you want an effeciant clean use steam

I do this for a living..