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Cleaning Engine
Topic Started: Sat May 3, 2008 7:24 pm (653 Views)
benzonthemenz
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hi i want to clean my engine as it is full of black gunk and unwanted deposits sitting every where, its just a standard 190 series. whats the best thing to use and clean, and the best way to do it?? thanks for any help. :ehh:
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Lewis 190E 2.5 16
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I love speedbumps
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I jet wash mine, I remove the air filter and put a bag with lots of tape round the AFM plate area to stop water entering the injection system...

I cover up battery and the ECU area, battery you dont have to cover up but only if you want to, use a de gresser, spray it on, dont let it set to long otherwise it will less streaks/stains in the black parts, I use a wash mit plus other soft brushes, and then after de gressed wash off with autoglym shampoo wash all over, dry off and then dress all the rubber and black parts with Autoglym bumper care...
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cossie connoisseur
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fat tits
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the electrics are naff so cover EVERYTHING
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Lewis 190E 2.5 16
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cossie connoisseur
May 3 2008, 09:32 PM
the electrics are naff so cover EVERYTHING

Yes, i do...
Some say its not safe to jet wash but i cant see the harm if everything is covered up....
I good de gresser is GUNK engine degresser but it does leave streaks so dont spray it on and leave it, spray it on let it settle for a few seconds then with some brushes rub it in, first jet wash to the best all the dirt and grime off then do that...
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kentronix
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Admin

I spray mine with a product called gunk when the engine is warm (not hot). Then I go somewhere other than my drive and use a water bottle with a hole pierced in the top to squirt the gunk off.

For nasty bits get in there with a washing up brush after giving the gunk a while to work in. once the major gunk is off get in there with a WHITE teflon safe scourer and washing up liquid using the bottle again to squirt it off.

Probably easier to use other peoples methods but I like to have control over where the water goes.
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nezamr
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anyone got any pics?
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MICHAEL
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You should refrain from using Gunk, it's corrosive and it removes any protective wax that's on the the engine bay from new.
Power hose, dry and apply a wax similar to the original.
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kentronix
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MICHAEL
May 6 2008, 08:01 PM
You should refrain from using Gunk, it's corrosive and it removes any protective wax that's on the the engine bay from new.

Didnt know that. Mind you I doubt there is much original wax left by now :)


moving this thread to the relevent section.
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MICHAEL
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kentronix
May 6 2008, 08:03 PM
MICHAEL
May 6 2008, 08:01 PM
You should refrain from using Gunk, it's corrosive and it removes any protective wax that's on the the engine bay from new.

Didnt know that. Mind you I doubt there is much original wax left by now :)


moving this thread to the relevent section.

Even if it's not visible, it may still be there .You're better to rewax anyway. B)
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NEIL
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Fewer Posts than Kenny
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AG Engine & Machine Cleaner & 'Jizer' seem to be pro favourites.
Does the wax/oil covering on the engine have a special name - Cosmoline?
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MICHAEL
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NEIL
May 6 2008, 09:15 PM
AG Engine & Machine Cleaner & 'Jizer' seem to be pro favourites.
Does the wax/oil covering on the engine have a special name - Cosmoline?

I don't know Neil, but this firm are in the UK as well, though I've never used any of their products. Sonus.
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Matt
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Gunk is good stuff but the smell after a while gross.gif
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MICHAEL
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Matt
May 6 2008, 09:50 PM
Gunk is good stuff but the smell after a while gross.gif

But it oxidises aluminium like fcuk. :lol:
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NEIL
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Superb article Michael!
Already got the AG Engine & Machine Cleaners, I must get hold of that Sonus Trim & Motor Kote.
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MICHAEL
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NEIL
May 6 2008, 10:52 PM
Superb article Michael!
Already got the AG Engine & Machine Cleaners, I must get hold of that Sonus Trim & Motor Kote.

Yes, I thought it was a good article. :D
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sparky190
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what about, might seem silly. But washing up liquid? probably one of the best non harmful degreasers going. Loads of that and a washing up brush then hose off??????
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Richy190E
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Washing up liquid contains salts which cause corrosion, thats why you shouldnt use it as screenwash as it also will perrish certain rubbers.
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stwat
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And you should never use it to wash the car as it strips all the protection from the paint such as wax's etc.
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Will
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Unless your engine bay is seriously filthy (major oil leaks etc) then you can clean 90% of it quite effectively with good old elbowgrease and a few choice products.

Even before considering jet washes/gunk etc spend a good couple of hours with some various rags/brushes and clean as much visibly as you can. Most of it is just dust or a film of dirt, I normally find a brush and a couple of old microfibres make a good start. Mild car shampoo and a damp cloth used locally on a cloth can easily clean all of the panels, inner wings, underside of the bonnet, around the grille etc etc.

If you really need to wash off some dirt, as Michael and others have said, it's important to re-wax everything afterwards.

It is after all an engine bay, it's a working machine and the benefits of making it look shiney can be easily outweighed by the risks of damaging stuff with over-zealous cleaning efforts stripping wax protection and blasting water where it doesn't belong.

Water can get into electrical connectors, wax can be removed from where it belongs, high-pressure water can be driven into bearings and even damage rubbers etc. And please don't go near cars with washing up liquid - as Richy and Stu have said, it's for stripping grease off dishes and is full of salt!

Easy does it IMHO B)

Will
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