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how do i clean the engine and bay without damaging anything?

Discussion in 'VE Holden Commodore (2006 - 2013)' started by Brysha89, May 13, 2020 at 9:12 AM.

  1. greenacc

    greenacc Searching for the billion

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    Yes the sca degreaser is probably not the strongest, but anything that doesn't dissolve with the first spray, or any really dirty areas I rub with the brush and they disappear with a second blast of the hose.

    And I always wash degreaser off. Leaves a much cleaner surface.
     
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  2. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    You can get the 303 at Supercrap & Repco if the fkwits at Autobarn make you want to punch them. I bet Bursons sell it too.
     
  3. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I use a low pressure garden hose.
     
  4. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    It would be a P clip. They are a P shaped clip that hold trans lines and fuel lines on. Sometimes wiring harnesses. They have a rubber lining on them. If that’s what they are talking about I’d tell them to get Fkd. *Like when one shop tried to tell me I needed a new clamp after I’d just bought that clamp a day before and fitted it myself (correctly).

    Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery OP.
     
  5. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    Some of my fav detailing people doing engine bays.

    Forensic Detailing


    Go to 21mns for one of the detailing world’s guru’s take on engine bay cleaning. Ammo Detailing


    Pan The Organiser


    Sandro from Car Craft Detailing in Melbourne. Great guy.
     
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  6. VS_Pete

    VS_Pete Donating Member

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  7. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

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    I don't know why you would cover the alternator? Oil and dirt makes it way into them over time the absolute worst thing for one is oil. I've seen oil kill a lot of alternators I've washed hundreads and never had one fail I've likely increased their life span because they were covered in oil.
     
  8. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    I cover mine now ever since the one in my VP shorted out and caught fire. Also why I now disconnect the battery. Prior to that, never covered alternator in decades.
     
  9. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

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    Water it's self has too high of resistance to let 12v pass through at any decent current at distances over cm or two. That sounds odd.
     
  10. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    Yep, but it happened and that experience changed how I do the job.
     
  11. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

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    Yea when I was an apprentice my mate had power steering fluid leaking on his alternator in his VX SS and it died I said it should be fine I was wrong. I think the oil eats the enamel or it attracts dirt that rubs through the enamel???
    Maybe with you VP the water and soap picked up a whole heap of brush dust and created a high current draw???
     
  12. Brysha89

    Brysha89 Active Member

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    So i went out to clean the engine and bay today here's how it went with just 2 jacks and 2 stands as don't have ramps atm cleand it the best i could starting from the start dirty: nes stato 1.jpg new stato 2.jpg

    Rear Main section: Dirty

    new stato 5.jpg

    Sump: Dirty

    new stato 4.jpg
    new stato 6.jpg
    new stato 9.jpg

    Top and Rocket Cover's: Dirty

    new stato 10.jpg
    new stato 11.jpg
    new stato 12.jpg
     

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  13. Brysha89

    Brysha89 Active Member

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    by just on stand's and jacks using cheap motortech de-greaser 4 cans and my pressure washer

    Sump and Tranny: Cleaned

    new stato 30.jpg
    new stato 28.jpg
    new stato 25.jpg

    Rocket Covers and Head's/Extractors: Cleaned
    new stato 22.jpg
    new stato 20.jpg
    new stato 19.jpg
    new stato 18.jpg

    Looks like i need to pull the engine out as it looks like its surface rust on it now the car was brought from Geelong but its clean enough to see where leaks are coming from im just waiting until it drys moor then im going to run the engine for 20 or so mins to get it warm and see where the oil comes from. Thank's all for you're comments
     

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  14. figjam

    figjam Donating Member

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    Hope it starts OK for you.
     
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  15. Brysha89

    Brysha89 Active Member

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    it will i checked all electric leads after the pressure wash and alternator was covered as suggested
     
  16. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    Need to be careful of TPS. Although I can not confirm 100%, I suspect that is why I have had 3 or 4 them fail in under 12 months, each time. It seems they fail a couple of months after a clean. I have now resorted to wrapping the TPS. On early V6 they say watch the DFI and coils but mine get wet and they haven't played up yet. I don't deliberately blast them though, just in case.
     
  17. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    I'd say it has a similar affect that it does on a starter motor. On s starter it arcs out the brushes and sometimes takes out the solenoid at the same time. Some cars a notorious for failing starters and it's all because of a leaking oil filter adapter oring. I've pulled a few apart and found them caked.
     
  18. Vin999

    Vin999 Active Member

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    Those cheap lil steam cleaners with small nozzles with a paint brush are good, quick and easy to remove sprayed on degreaser, easy to keep away from electrical parts. Me and a mate use to detail cars for a few car yards on the weekend for extra money before all the detailing/carwash trade went professional :)
     
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