Filthy engine & stubborn alloys

[1L19]

Heya, my engine has been disgusting ever since I got the car and have never got round to cleaning it, but I'd like to soon so I ask for advice!

I don't know what to use to clean all the grease filth and soot; do I use an old rag, paper towel, mf cloth or what? Also don't know what cleaning agent to use either. There's a tall can of 'engine de-greaser' in the garage, is that ideal or not? And any tips on methods?



Also, the alloys (which are standard by the way) have tar and brake dust and all sorts of crap on them which I can't seem to get off! I've tried pressure washer, wheel cleaner and scrubbing them with a tooth brush using white spirit. Help!

Thanks for any advice and help

 

[stevei'D]

Ive just done my engine bay, I used TFR (traffic film remover) from Autosmart, prob dialuted 1:5 TFR/Water then used a paint brush to work it in, did a really good job. All the plastics i took off and did the same off the car, meaning i could get into more parts of the bay with the brush. Left the engine to warm up a bit to help ease of some of teh stubborn stuff on the gearbox casing. I've got a diesel so no worries with hosing it all off just dont spray directly onto and electrical contacts. Look at "Seat Pictures" and my title "pictures at last" and theres one there of my bay all beit not close up, the one of the door hinge was nicely cleaned up with TFR to. A brush just enables you to get into all the nooks and crannies. If you've not got TFR then an engine cleaner will do just as good job

Hope this helps

 

[Deleted member 20376]

i got the engine cleaner from autoglym seems to do the trick.

i got a jet wash on my alloys and its seems to have got the crap off them use a dish washing brush to keep on top of it.

some alloy cleaners do more damage than good.

 

[beezertart]

i'd recommend TFR as well, awesome stuff,i have white ronals which get very crappy and it got the stubborn marks off in about 2seconds flat,i used a dish brush as i didn't have my wheel brush to hand,then blasted them with an industrial pressure washer

 

[1L19]

Excellent, thanks!

 

[Jace]

Auto Grim Engine & Machine cleaner is very good stuff,available from Halfruads

Meguiars Super Degreaser is a good product too

 

[Myfast]

Hi I'm trying to clean my engine too, but mine is a petrol engine and I heard that water is particulary bad in them. Is that so? Should I do it only "by hand"?

 

[Jace]

Just have the engine running when you wash it off, & dont spray the pressure washer dirrectly on the enigine & you'll be fine.

When done just leave it running for 5-10mins to dry off

 

[olliep]

another tip is to wrap foil around bits that you dont want to get wet etc... shouldnt be a problem. Lots of people use pressure washers on their engines with no issues... risky i recon but hey!!??

 

[1L19]

Well used 'wonder wheels' on the alloys despite knowing the damage it could cause, it was amazing it got 98% of the baked on grime and didn't cause any damage...well pleased!