Pressure Wash Engine Bay

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ryan0143
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:23 am

Is it okay to pressure wash the engine bay or is it best to steam clean it?

obviously as much of the electrical parts will be covered up beforehand. Has anyone done this as mine is looking a little grubby and i want to smarten it up a little.
asmith88
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:39 am

yea plenty of engine degreaser before hand, i have done this loads of time and never had any problems
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:44 am

Just make sure you cover all electrics under the hood properly first!
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polsta
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:10 am

all i use is autoglym spray engibe cleaner/de greaser stuff, cover electric bits with cling film and foil, then just spray that stuff on and work in with a brush if need be, and rinse off with a gentle running hose (not full wack) , all and any crap and gunk just comes straight off and goes, leaves it looking nice and clean, you dont need a pressure/power washer or steam clean mate, pressure washer would take all the cling film etc straight off and generaly make it a messy affair
beemerbird
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:24 am

I wouldn't start putting bits of tinfoil in my engine bay 8O
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m8782538
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:57 pm

tin foil in the engine bay to cover electrics...............shocking

sorry for the pun, had to be done :)
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colinurquhart
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:11 pm

I used to do mine with the engine running and kept it running for a while after I'd finished to
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m8782538
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:02 pm

you can get hand pump (pressure) washers, they take about 2-3 litres of water, its not high pressure or a wide spray so quite good for engine bays, spray degreaser, agitate with a brush and rise down the hand washer.

Plus they are cheap too. also good to applying bug and tar remover to the bottom sections of the car to remove that really subborn stuff.

More pressure than a standard bottle spray nossle but not as much as a spray gun on a hose. Ideal.
polsta
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:41 pm

beemerbird wrote:I wouldn't start putting bits of tinfoil in my engine bay 8O
tin foil over the top of a couple of layers/good wrap of cling film, it wraps round trcky bits better, then once water gone its taken straight off, engines not started and dont put the foil near anything live like :roll: :D
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:51 pm

Dont spray the electrics? I do mine from time to time and dont coverowt up... Just be carefull...
Ajsingh
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:17 pm

1st time i done this.. Used both pressure & steam clean.. The failed to start.. After a looooong time when it did... It missfired for ages... Eventually once the water dried out, it stopped. I think the dizzy cap
Got wet

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beemerbird
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Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:27 pm

polsta wrote:
beemerbird wrote:I wouldn't start putting bits of tinfoil in my engine bay 8O
tin foil over the top of a couple of layers/good wrap of cling film, it wraps round trcky bits better, then once water gone its taken straight off, engines not started and dont put the foil near anything live like :roll: :D
Now that makes sense! Don't forget people who know very little could be watching this thread :wink:
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is
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