Cleaning The Engine.

[ringway]

In the last 35 years or so, I don't think I've ever had a car or van where I haven't cleaned the engine.
It just looks so much better (especially if selling) and makes it easier to spot leaks, etc.
The only casualty I've had, was a 3 year-old 1981 Nissan Bluebird owned by my Mum and it cheered up again after half and hour or so.

In what has become a ridiculous and obsessive quest to find seat comfort, a couple of weeks ago, I bought another set of seats that were attached to a Jaguar XJ8 4.2 Sport.

The car itself is in great condition and has regular main dealer service history.



However, the engine bay was awful. Lots of crud, leaves and even soil in some places.

So, after a wash and tickle, remembering to clean behind the ears, it now looks like this.

The results are always pretty much the same, but this one was satisfying because it was in such a mess.

I actually couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

 

[John N]

In the last 35 years or so, I don't think I've ever had a car or van where I haven't cleaned the engine.
It just looks so much better (especially if selling) and makes it easier to spot leaks, etc.
The only casualty I've had, was a 3 year-old 1981 Nissan Bluebird owned by my Mum and it cheered up again after half and hour or so.

In what has become a ridiculous and obsessive quest to find seat comfort, a couple of weeks ago, I bought another set of seats that were attached to a Jaguar XJ8 4.2 Sport.

The car itself is in great condition and has regular main dealer service history.



However, the engine bay was awful. Lots of crud, leaves and even soil in some places.

So, after a wash and tickle, remembering to clean behind the ears, it now looks like this.

The results are always pretty much the same, but this one was satisfying because it was in such a mess.

I actually couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Excellent Job, please give us some hints and tips regarding methods and products

 

[millc63]

Great job! Looks amazing . As mentioned would be good to know how you did it /what products you used

 

[D-18]

Excellent job sir!

Can't fault your choice of car - these older XJ's are just so much better looking than the modern Jags. If you took all the badges off, that could still only be a Jaguar.

With the new ones, you could stick on a Kia / Honda / Nissan badge and no one would be any the wiser

 

[ringway]

Excellent Job, please give us some hints and tips regarding methods and products

Thanks John.

There isn't much science or indeed elbow grease to it.

I use:
A Nilfisk P-150 XTRA pressure washer.
A good grade TRF 400.1 or 200.1
A can Turtlewax Fresh Shine Matt Finish Citrus 500ml which is a plastic enhancer/restorer and holds its finish very well.

Coat the engine with diluted TFR 50/50ish and leave on for 4-5 minutes making sure it DOES NOT dry.

Any spills onto the body work should be immediately washed/wiped away.
Then wash off with the pressure washer.

Common sense should steer you away from firing into certain areas and some would cover certain components, but I'm comfortable with just sensibly washing pretty much everything. The TFR does most of the work in any case, so no great pressure is required as long as all of the TFR is removed.
I vacuumed the leaves etc. before starting the washing and didn't have to use a brush. The TFR and jet wash does the work

When the engine/bay is dry (depending prevailing conditions) apply a light mist of the Turtle wax Fresh Shine to the finish you like.
You may have to mop the odd spot of water before applying the fresh shine.

I know some people don't care much for TFR, but if used correctly it is very much more friend than foe and if my cars are particularly filthy, I will use a diluted dose to pre-wash. The trick is not to let it dry on.

The Halfords TFR is pretty poor value and not the strongest, but better than buying the real stuff in 25ltr drums.

HTH.

 

[merc85]

Stunning turn around there

Here's one i did earlier lol

Gt85 and a rag, Megs Tyre rubber dressing on the black bits Rusty nuts and bolts removed rub down and paint, Bonnet catches removed cleased and greased.Nylon brush for the ribs in the air intake tubes and flies from the rads

 

[Teego]

Stunning turn around there

Here's one i did earlier lol

Gt85 and a rag, Megs Tyre rubber dressing on the black bits Rusty nuts and bolts removed rub down and paint, Bonnet catches removed cleased and greased.Nylon brush for the ribs in the air intake tubes and flies from the rads

How did you deal with the supercharger casing? That's about the only thing that lets mine down.

 

[optimusprime]

Nice job there Ringway i think your a bit like me in the way you do things .

 

[merc85]

How did you deal with the supercharger casing? That's about the only thing that lets mine down.

Autosol with a fine Brass brush and some time bud

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

In the last 35 years or so, I don't think I've ever had a car or van where I haven't cleaned the engine.
It just looks so much better (especially if selling) and makes it easier to spot leaks, etc.
The only casualty I've had, was a 3 year-old 1981 Nissan Bluebird owned by my Mum and it cheered up again after half and hour or so.

In what has become a ridiculous and obsessive quest to find seat comfort, a couple of weeks ago, I bought another set of seats that were attached to a Jaguar XJ8 4.2 Sport.

The car itself is in great condition and has regular main dealer service history.



However, the engine bay was awful. Lots of crud, leaves and even soil in some places.

So, after a wash and tickle, remembering to clean behind the ears, it now looks like this.

The results are always pretty much the same, but this one was satisfying because it was in such a mess.

I actually couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Cracking job Paul. What time are you coming round to make a start on mine?

 

[ringway]

Get me a cheesy bender or a bang bang chicken and you never know...

 

[Slugsy]

Very impressive, I’m learning a lot, thanks!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Somehow missed this thread Paul - looks a cracker!

And what’s the point in bragging about seats if you’re not going to post any photos?!

 

[ringway]

Somehow missed this thread Paul - looks a cracker!

And what’s the point in bragging about seats if you’re not going to post any photos?!

Thanks, Lee.

No pics of the seats, yet. Nice though they are, they don't suit my bum/back.

Car going to have central locking problem sorted and then for sale.

 

[HB]

You really are a bunch of perverts.

 

[Jack5255]

These look genuinely great. I would much rather see engine bays like these than colour coded hoses and covers etc. Nothing against that at all, this just looks so fresh like its still waiting to be delivered

 

[ringway]

I sourced and collected this VW Golf for a mate. 45,000 miles and in pretty good overall condition.




It presented at the Dirty Engine Clinic with symptoms of regular 'dusty car park trauma' coupled with moderate fluid-splash syndrome.

When I saw the engine bay I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
















Looking a lot prettier now.















And so, another satisfied customer - Me!

I just love bringing these things back to life.

 

[Y15HAL]

Seems like you have a fetish for dirty engine bays

Great job you're doing on them!

Wish i could be brave enough to tackle the engine bay with a jet wash!!!

Just gave it all a wipe down with some APC not so long ago, which made a nice difference

 

[Londonscottish]

A good grade TRF 400.1 or 200.1

Does TRF stand for Traffic Film Remover?

EDIT for follow up question;

How do you apply it? Brush? Spray? Cloth?

 

[Londonscottish]

In the last 35 years or so, I don't think I've ever had a car or van where I haven't cleaned the engine.
It just looks so much better (especially if selling) and makes it easier to spot leaks, etc.

So, after a wash and tickle, remembering to clean behind the ears, it now looks like this.

Incredible transformation. I'm going to have to do mine now!