engine cleaning!!! Share your tips and tricks!

[Type R 564]

so I want to clean up my engine bay but not sure how to do it. So if anyone has done it before on a mini what's the best way to do it

Fred-

[rallymaniac]

I don't know if there is anything specific about MINI that would prevent you from doing it but with all of my previous cars I've just driven to the manual carwash, opened the hood, sprayed it with the green thing for tire/wheel cleaning, waited a minute and then power rinsed with water.
Worked just fine and never damaged anything.

[agranger]

You will probably get a better response in the detailing forum.

I posted my detailing process years ago, along with compare and contrast comments from BradB, an old regular on that forum with me back then.

It's all right here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=37303

[agranger]

Originally Posted by rallymaniac

I've just driven to the manual carwash, opened the hood, sprayed it with the green thing for tire/wheel cleaning, waited a minute and then power rinsed with water.
Worked just fine and never damaged anything.

I once got the inside of a distributer cap wet that way... the car ran like crap until I could disassemble it, blow it out and spray it w/ WD-40. The high-pressure water stream can force it's way into places where water shouldn't be... probably much more dangerous now w/ computers and relays all over an engine bay. I only use low pressure streams of water for wetting and rinsing.

[Ancient Mariner]

a toothbrush and time.

[agranger]

Originally Posted by skip.irving

a toothbrush and time.

I tried that once, but my wife kept complaining about the taste of her toothbrush afterwards, so I had to find another way...

[lacning74]

Originally Posted by agranger

I tried that once, but my wife kept complaining about the taste of her toothbrush afterwards, so I had to find another way...

that's why i use my mother-in-law's.

[Ancient Mariner]

Originally Posted by lacning74

that's why i use my mother-in-law's.

since she takes her teeth out to brush them, she never notices.
-s-

[MINI Monkey]

You don't need a lot of water pressure to clean the engine but you do need a chuck of time. A big chuck if you are looking for show car results. The detailing forum has great stuff on the subject.

[22CooperS]

I detailed a Jetta with a filthy 2.0L engine... almost completely covered in oil, dust, and greasy dirt. I sprayed the engine down very, very conservatively, with only a light mist. I then coated the main parts of the engine in degreaser. I then used several brushes to work loose the grime. Followed up with a quick rinse, dry with a towel, and protectant... it looked perfect!

I also suggest this method because this is exactly what the dealership I work at would charge someone $50+ for.

[Darkness]

1. Fit plastic bag over your CAI, if you have one
2. Rinse engine lightly
3. Spray throughly with Poorboys all purpose bio-degradable degreaser
4. wait a few minutes
5. brush everywhere with 3 different types of brushes
6. rinse again
7. dry with either a towel, air pressure, or a combination of both
8. spray a mixture of 50/50 meguiars #40 and water all over
9. Wipe off excess
10.remove plastic bag from your CAI!!! I can't stress the importance of this! It does not end well...
11. Run engine for a few minutes to bake in gloss (or you can just drive it)

[agranger]

I hadn't thought about the CAI... I haven't thoroughly cleaned the engine bay since I installed the intake (and I've got the DDM, which is fairly well covered from water spray). Nice catch!

[22CooperS]

I'd watch out when using compressed air... it can drive small water drops into electrical components. Just a thought!

[OctaneGuy]

My tools of choice.

Bug Sprayer for low pressure water spray or my new Nomad Pressure Washer
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...39#post2173839

An Absorber towel to pickup the standing water from the top of the strut towers and anywhere else.

A soft brush with flagged ends for lightly scrubbing

Car wash soap in a bucket with the soft brush

A degreaser and Meguiar's Hyperdressing for the hoses and rubber bits (important to choose a product with a high flash point to prevent potential engine bay fires)

Just keep the water out of the alternator and intake and ECU and you'll be fine. Best to wait for engine to cool down as well.

Richard

[Mr. D]

I use the green tire/engine degreaser at the carwash on its lowest pressure setting. I then follow with the lowest rinse pressure setting as well. I don't spray the CAI or ECU area if I can help it. When I am drying the entire car I always save a rag for the engine bay area.

After I dry the engine bay area I throw out the dirty grimy rag. I try and clean my engine at least 1-2 times a month. I don't spray any type of detailer on it, becasue I prefer the natural look vs. the shiny glossy etc...

Just the other day at a camping site after driving the dirt road for several days I was showing a fellow automotive lover the engine bay. He couldn't believe the car was 5 yrs old.

[22CooperS]

I keep hearing people talk about Meguiar's #40 and other engine glosses... anyone know where to buy this?

[22CooperS]

By the way, Octaneguy... I just received my Prima Swirl and Hydro today in the mail. Looking forward to the results!! I only have light swirl marks (from the previous owner, not me!!). Between the Swirl and my Griot's buffer, I think they should come out, right?

Also, I thought the Black Wow Jolly Rancher was quite clever! haha

[Darkness]

I think I got my #40 at autozone or napa, I think. You can order it online too. It's in the tan bottle. It's one of those things in the cabinet that I don't really remember where it came from . Dilute it 50/50 with water.

I did my girlfriends engine bay the other day and forgot I did it. Today when I picked her car up from the mechanic after the coolant was flushed I popped the hood to check the level and had a moment. It looks good when it's done and baked in.

[MiniMaybee]

For rubber bits I just use 303 Aerospace Protectant. For the stuff under the bonnet, sound matting or heat shield or whatever it is called, I vacuum then use 303 Fabric Guard. It really helps keep it clean and makes it easier to clean.
Really my best tip is that once you get your engine clean - keep it that way. A simple wipe down at wash time is all it takes; no spraying or degreasers necessary if you just spend 10 minutes each wash to keep it clean.

[lotsie]

I use Simple Green, spray it on, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. Then I wipe it off. Then I spray 303 on, close the bonnet, then go for a 10 minute motor, wipe off anything left, done. This is done about every 3 months, with regular wipe downs every other wash.

Mark