Engine bay cleaning

[leamyj]

Had to go under the hood today, alternator belt needed re-tensioning. Had a job removing certain pipes ets and skinned me fingers more than once...don't you love working on an engine when it's feckin' freezing?
Anyhow, it's been a while since I had a rummage in the engine bay and it's pretty manky in there.
Can anyone suggest a procedure or products and method to use in order to get it clean..was thinking of steam car wash , where should I avoid getting water, should I leave the engine running etc.,

Also , my K&N looks like it needs a cleaning, I've not got a clue how to do this..hints anyone??

One more problem..there's a fair bit of slack on the throttle cable and I suspect that the acelerator pedal mounting is the culprit..anyone come on this before ? more importantly how did you fix it??

Happy new year

John

[Stig]

after a google, found this -

Mar 31st, 2005, 07:41 AM
i diluted some Simple Green Degreaser. sprayed it on the cool engine. used a wheel/tire brush to get the crusty dirt off. let it sit for a few minutes, then hosed it off with a gentle flow of water. i then to took my leaf blower to blow water from the engine. then i wiped the surface down with MF towels. the only dressing that i have at the moment is NXT Protectant, so that is what i used.

what prompted me to do it is because i installed a new intercooler and friends gave me **** about the bay being dirty (even though it was still winter) so i cleaned it.

here's the dirty pics:
http://www.wrxfanatics.com/uploads/post ... 359901.jpg

http://www.wrxfanatics.com/uploads/post ... 359941.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/galle ... e_bay1.jpg


clean
http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/galle ... ne_bay.jpg


hope this helps some.



- found another thread here -
http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/car-care- ... e-bay.html

[leamyj]

Thanks Ollie

[mrges]

Hi John,

Haven't checked out Ollie's links (am getting tired now....just back from me hols and catching up with the usual sh1te that acumulates when ye go away - all those emails about "Viagra" and "enlargement"...are they trying to tell me something?).

Anyway, have cleaned a number of engine bays in my time, and always found GUNK very effective. Firstly, from cold, would cover any electrical bits with a plastic bag and cable ties (plugs, coil, distributer, fuses etc.), then apply the stuff liberally with a paintbrush (large brush for main areas (inc. bulkhead) and smaller one (1") for the more intricate areas (bolt heads, and in and around the block). Leave it for a few minutes, then hose off, dry and repeat). After second dosing remove plastic bags, and take if for a run to dry it off, open it up, dry any remaining water. Then give a quick squirt of APC over the hoses, pipes, covers etc. and dress them. Finally, polish the body coloured bits (the bits you can get at!).


Maybe post some pics of the "before" and "after" engine bay!!!


mrges