engine cleaning queries (Read 105 times)

[wtzer]

Any advice or methods for scrubbing an engine back to its original shine.  If I take the rocket cover off do I have to replace a gasket or should I just leave it on and get scrubbing. Also are the hoses and distributer wires a different size than what I can find in the motor factors these days.

[gainsb1]

Hiya. I would consider what car I have. I would consider giving my 160J a steam clean down at the local garage but that's because it has hardly any electronics. I'd cover the dizzy and coil in plastic bags and rubber bands to eliminate water as best as possible.
If you have elctronics and warning lights then you might want to be more careful and get a vehicle detailer in to do the job. OR.... you could have loads of fun (like I did) with a toothbrush etc. and degreaser. I also used the wife's hand-held steamer but that was tricky in a confined space.

Leigh (Area rep)

[Talking Hoarse]

I was thinking of this the other day, when I saw the shiny underbonnet pics of that red Bluebird estate for sale.
When I got my Bluebird 4+ years ago, I (quite aggressively) degreased and pressure washed underbonnet, door shuts, under the car etc. It all looked spick and span (particularly as my car was low miles and had hardly been heated up in its life - so lots of bolts were still fresh and the engine block was still blue). As a result it was also cleaner for all of my recommission work. Then of course all of this good work was undone when I cavity waxed etc all the car and the seams, and so the car looks now like a "working vehicle" underbonnet.
I also used an engine lacquer spray after the clean up which helps prevent the bolts and bare castings corrode after being degreased. However this has - over the 4 years - also discoloured a bit so the cam cover (for example) looks rather grubby.
One tip if pressure cleaning under bonnet - apart from using bags and gloves (& silicon grease?) as Leigh suggests, is to change any oil, brake fluid, distributor cap and leads etc that were on the job list after the clean up rather than before, ie just in case water creeps where it shouldnt.
Ed

[wtzer]

Thanks talking hoarse , yea ill defo do the cables after ive cleaned the engine.