Cleaning Engine Bay

[thecalstanley]

Anyone got any suggestions how to clean the top of the EA211 engine? I spilt a bit of oil during a top up and didn’t wipe it up straight away so its now basically baked onto the top of the engine.

Been bugging me for the past 1-2 weeks and want to get it sorted this weekend ideally. The main thing which concerns me is how close the injectors are together at the top of the engine as its basically impossible to get a cloth in there to wipe the oil away.

Any suggestions on how to clean it up without breaking anything? I've bought some degreaser but unsure how to get in-between the injectors.

 

[Sharpy]

I’m not sure on the engine, if you have a photo I may be able to advise more.

Normally engines are pretty resilient to washing as they do get wet on normal use, avoid heavy pressure washing around electronic components and where possible cover items like alternators and other exposed electronic with something like clingfilm.

Injectors should be reasonably well sealed though.


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[thecalstanley]

I’m not sure on the engine, if you have a photo I may be able to advise more.

Normally engines are pretty resilient to washing as they do get wet on normal use, avoid heavy pressure washing around electronic components and where possible cover items like alternators and other exposed electronic with something like clingfilm.

Injectors should be reasonably well sealed though.


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I’ll take a picture of the engine tomorrow morning. Not comfortable washing it with water, worried about destroying one of the injectors, plus the oil is mainly near those also.

 

[Sharpy]

I’d be very surprised if you destroyed an injector washing it with water, I’ve washed quite a lot of car engines with water and never had an issue... that said I don’t want to advise you to do something you don’t want to do. There will be other ways.


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[LouG]

I agree with sharpy. Things have changed since the old BMC days, it takes effort to drown an engine now. I even use a waterblaster sometimes, but extremely carefully.

 

[thecalstanley]

Sorry for the delay on the picture, busy week!

Here's a photo of the top of the engine where its the worst. The main thing that concerns me with using water is the electronics, fair enough they might be sealed but water and electronics don't end well.

My idea is using one of those pipe cleaners and spray a bit of the degreaser in the gaps. Reckon that will work?

 

[Sharpy]

I would start by seeing how much you can get off without using any detergents, ideally you would want to get them off after treating, I’d use something like a pipe cleaner or cotton pud to remove as much as possible and then see how it looks, I’m less inclined to leave something like degreaser on an engine as they can degrade rubber and plastics...

Do as much as you can without any products and go from there. It’s an awkward spot.

I would tend to cover items such as the alternator that have open electronics, items that are sealed I trust in them.


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[thecalstanley]

I would start by seeing how much you can get off without using any detergents, ideally you would want to get them off after treating, I’d use something like a pipe cleaner or cotton pud to remove as much as possible and then see how it looks, I’m less inclined to leave something like degreaser on an engine as they can degrade rubber and plastics...

Do as much as you can without any products and go from there. It’s an awkward spot.

I would tend to cover items such as the alternator that have open electronics, items that are sealed I trust in them.


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Ah didn't think about cotton buds, I'll try the pipe cleaners and cotton buds and see how far I get with it.

Cheers

 

[Walone]

Anyone got any suggestions how to clean the top of the EA211 engine? I spilt a bit of oil during a top up and didn’t wipe it up straight away so its now basically baked onto the top of the engine.

Been bugging me for the past 1-2 weeks and want to get it sorted this weekend ideally. The main thing which concerns me is how close the injectors are together at the top of the engine as its basically impossible to get a cloth in there to wipe the oil away.

Any suggestions on how to clean it up without breaking anything? I've bought some degreaser but unsure how to get in-between the injectors.

I think what you are referring to as 'injectors' are the ignition coils. you could try removing them to make it easier to clean.

 

[LouG]

What about a soft paint brush? Isopropyl alcohol works well too.

 

[Legojon]

I sprayed Autoglym engine cleaner onto a microfiber. Worked it around. Then used a damp cloth to wipe off. Oh yeah... then vinyl n rubber on a microfiber and buff off.

 

[R4CK5]

I sprayed Autoglym engine cleaner onto a microfiber. Worked it around. Then used a damp cloth to wipe off. Oh yeah... then vinyl n rubber on a microfiber and buff off.

Jesus, think under your bonnet is cleaner than the whole of my car I'm ashamed to say.

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[Sharpy]

We should have a “show us you engine bay thread”...

Wiped down with a damp rag, used a round paint brush to access the hard to read spots and then treated with obsession wax trim treatment.




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[Legojon]

We should have a “show us you engine bay thread”...

That's actually a really good idea!

When I did it, I just wanted to clean up the mess after a headgasket change. But, didn't want water going near anything as I'd more than enough problems for the week. Every guide I found included some kind of jetwashing. So I wanted to give a waterless clean a try.

 

[Sharpy]

That's actually a really good idea!

I have one a year... thats me done!

When I did it, I just wanted to clean up the mess after a headgasket change. But, didn't want water going near anything as I'd more than enough problems for the week. Every guide I found included some kind of jetwashing. So I wanted to give a waterless clean a try.

Yeah, I totally get people being nervous and before doing friends cars I ask if they have a preference, ive never had an issue but there is always a first time! The other option is to use a degreaser and a stiff brush like this

https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/wheel-woolies-a5d-boars-hair-detail-brush-1-diameter.html

Then rinse off using a dribble from a hose pipe, really reduces the any risk as you can control where its going a lot more.

Waterless options are generally harder work but nothing wrong with them!

 

[KXL]

You know, once I entered the place I parked my car, and I saw the next car to me had their engine hood open, with someone there, so I was curious and asked what's up, he was cleaning the engine bay...toothbrush in hand...he said he saw it on youtube, few weeks later, his boot was open, with his hand, somewhat inside the trim, he said he was changing the number plate like and it's a PITA, I hope he cleans and restores his headlights next, as it's gone a dark yellow haze. It's a 59 plate Toyota Auris.

 

[afcajax73]

I sprayed Autoglym engine cleaner onto a microfiber. Worked it around. Then used a damp cloth to wipe off. Oh yeah... then vinyl n rubber on a microfiber and buff off.

awesome results there good job

 

[Jimbobcook]

That's actually a really good idea!

Get it done in the general section with show us your water beading lol most people say the engine bay in my car is cleaner than the outside of their car after they've washed it lol

 

[Walone]

Anyone got any tips for getting rid of the corrosion on the aluminium parts of the engine, particularly the cam covers?
TIA.