Is there a recommended procedure for cleaning the engine bay and engine?

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm not a 'professional engine washer' I'm a Detailer/High End Valeter. If I'm not mistaken the OP asked for a guide to clean his engine... Instead of slating that it's wrong, I gave him one, it's what he wanted. I didn't tell him to do it or not to do it. Go to a dealers either maindealer or trader and 99% of the time they wash the engines, the goal is to make the whole car look new again not just the exterior and interior. If it wasn't safe then they wouldn't do it, as dealers hate paying for car parts.

To assume a car has had an oil leak just because the engine is clean is a tad old school nowa days. If an engine was spotlessly clean then it would be easier to spot an oil leak than if it was covered in muck.

If you didn't want anyone to touch under your bonnet then of course you have the right to say leave the engine as it's your car.

Example of why it's done.

Grotty engine before (would never sell as it was, how it got to be like that I'll never know)

After

Something a little more familiar



Before

After

Sets off and completes the rest of the car, some people like clean engine areas, but by the sound of it, most on here don't

Remind me again, which pictures are the before and after?

 

[Sorry Pete]

Ah c'mon: adam87 has just answered the OP's question with what I think is a reasoned approach and he and the OP are getting ribbing and stick. Sorry guys, that's not on.

There are two cleaning an engine bay camps: clean it or don't clean it. Live and let live. So the OP wants a clean engine. Let him do it. Some people collect stamps, some collect worms, some have a fascination with the next piece of female footwear they can get in. This guy wants to have a clean engine bay.

Fwiw I cleaned my engine bay last year. It involved wiping dust off with a damp cloth. The end. I know there are some companies who will detail not only the top, but also the underside of the car. Brake lines, cv joints, exhaust, everything sparkling. Whatever floats your boat.

I used detailingworld for info when I did some paint correction on my car last year, and invaluable it was too. I'm sure some of you have seen the lengths some of the detailing fraternity go to, and it's plain for everyone to see that some of the posters on that forum have serious OCD conditions. They document it themselves. As someone who hasn't experienced OCD myself, but have observed the effect it has on people close to me, it must take great effort of will to actually use the car they devote so much of their time to.

Now I'm not saying the OP has OCD, or anyone else here for that matter. I'm saying, in the grand scheme of things, wanting a clean engine bay shouldn't be as divisive as say, Marmite: YUM!

 

[Littledigger]

Thanks adam87 you have answered my question with exactly what i was looking for, you rock

My engine bay was very dusty, i think the previous owner lived along a dirt track or on a farm. I am of the camp that says a clean engine bay is a looked after car, and agree that any oil leek is going to be easy to spot. I have already wiped over most things under the bonnet using Tesco floor wipes and it did an ok job but i will look forward to making it shine soon.

 

[BlackC55]

Just to let you all know. Adam is my detailer and he is very good.

 

[Dream Works]

My wifes 4x4 my Focus ST & the MB have all got showroom engines. It's a detail thing. I use baby wipes and WD40. They look like new. However if your not into clean engines feel free to drive around with it looking like you salvaged it from a muddy lake.

 

[Littledigger]

My wifes 4x4 my Focus ST & the MB have all got showroom engines. It's a detail thing. I use baby wipes and WD40. They look like new. However if your not into clean engines feel free to drive around with it looking like you salvaged it from a muddy lake.

lol. I was showing off my purchase to a friend the other week, when he asked to see under the bonnet. So i lifted the bonnet and to my horror and embarrassment, there it was. He said 'did you get it out of the lake'. I've sprayed the plastic bits today with some plastic and rubber revival, looks good now.

 

[A210AMG]

I think adams answer was spot on.

If anyone thinks cleaning an engine is odd then fine.... Myself I like to keep my complete car clean engine and all.

If you really want to get into the detailing of your car then take a trip over to detailingworld forum. If you think your car is clean your having a laugh

Its great though and I for one love it, snow foam, two bucket method, gizmos for this that and the other

Thanks adam for your almost down to earth explaination of how to clean an engine bay.

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

Now I'm not saying the OP has OCD, or anyone else here for that matter. I'm saying, in the grand scheme of things, wanting a clean engine bay shouldn't be as divisive as say, Marmite: YUM!

Best coment on this thread!

 

[350_Coupe]

My new acquisition is a little dusty under the bonnet, was thinking about this topic myself only yesterday, so an interesting read

Just to let you all know. Adam is my detailer and he is very good.

Shame, not so close to me, out of curiosity, how long does it take ?

 

[adam87]

My new acquisition is a little dusty under the bonnet, was thinking about this topic myself only yesterday, so an interesting read




Shame, not so close to me, out of curiosity, how long does it take ?

Olly has clients all over the country he is that good should you ever have a fault with your Benz. Premier Inn down the road, loads of pubs, Southsea & Portsmouth 15 minute drive away and the Spinnaker Tower.

Just to clean and Engine area would take under an hour, an Engine Detail on more complex engines can take up to 5 - 6 hours.

Full on Details including Paint Correction would need 2 - 3 days depending on the level of correction desired, although an enhancement in one day is achievable on a already clean car.

Wax Protection top ups, usually only for cars that have had paint correction previously takes between 2 - 4 hours.

 

[tommy2]

Excuse me for coming in here,but did you ask for advice on cleaning your engine and engine bay or refurbishing your engine and engine bay. Unless it is leaking oil,been through a muddy field,or been taking part in stock car racing,I think a bucket,some soapy water,and elbow grease is all you will need,and maybe a smear of WD40 on the black bits at the end,it really is not that technical cleaning under the bonnet,
John

 

[Rashman]

I'm with you Adam87!

A clean engine bay say to me that the car is properly looked after!
And yes, it also makes it alot easier to spot anything thats amiss!

To ignore the engine bay is criminal in my opinion!

And I'm with Will in regards to cleaning methods..

If the engine has just suffered an oil eruption or the engine isn't really caked in crap, then I would strongly suggest taking time using damp cloths to wipe everything down.

I also use chop sticks with soft cloths to get the hard to reach places.

I also use a product to treat all rubbers and plastics to keep them protected, supple and looking new.

 

[Simon_M]

I'm with you Adam87!
I also use chop sticks with soft cloths to get the hard to reach places.

I eat chinese food with mine!!

 

[Rashman]

I eat chinese food with mine!!

LOL!!

You're not the first to say that!

 

[nigel cross]

I dont clean mine , not because i don't want to, I just want to keep water etc away from the electrics, properly being over cautious.

 

[Rashman]

I dont clean mine , not because i don't want to, I just want to keep water etc away from the electrics, properly being over cautious.

I understand.

But you really can clean the engine bay by using damp cloths while keeping all the electrics safe.

Next time you have a spare afternoon, give it a whirl.

You never know... you may even find yourself showing off your work to others!

 

[BenzedUP]

I'm with you Adam87!

A clean engine bay say to me that the car is properly looked after!
And yes, it also makes it alot easier to spot anything thats amiss!

To ignore the engine bay is criminal in my opinion!

And I'm with Will in regards to cleaning methods..

If the engine has just suffered an oil eruption or the engine isn't really caked in crap, then I would strongly suggest taking time using damp cloths to wipe everything down.

I also use chop sticks with soft cloths to get the hard to reach places.

I also use a product to treat all rubbers and plastics to keep them protected, supple and looking new.

Very clean engine bay buddy, but what engine is that? looks similar to a 63 but without a vital box

 

[Rashman]

Very clean engine bay buddy, but what engine is that? looks similar to a 63 but without a vital box

LOL!!!!!

Pack it in!!!

 

[BenzedUP]

No, seriously if anybody here knows how to take care of a car and keep it looking like new then it would be Rashman!

 

[royles]

I have a few cans of electrical contact cleaner, this is fantastic, just spray and wipe off. For harder areas I use WD40 as it cleans and oils the metalwork. Works on both metals and plastics. The useful thing is it non conductive, unlike water.