Steam cleaning engine bay..or not??

[zx9]

Good work. You would have thought the vendor would have spruced it up to maximise the sale value.

 

[arther dailey]

looks nice now, would advise a bit of lube on the bonnet catches,maybe just wd 40 to dispel moisture.bet you are pleased with it they are nice motors,well thats what I am told, I just think they are stylish and understated which I prefer. Arther

 

[awemawson]

If you do ever steam clean any equipment remember that it will take off all the paper labels from filters and warning stickers. Also any traces of oil that are stopping bits of bare metal rusting. I do occasionally steam clean my tractor engines as I have my own steam cleaner, but follow it with a spray of light oil when it's dried. (A lesson learnt from experience.)

 

[slim_boy_fat]

MUCH better!! And there's the added bonus of any leaks etc being easier to spot on a clean engine .

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Hope this link works for you folks, I'm not sure if you need to be a forum member to view but it gives you an idea of what's possible if [like many of us.....] you suffer from a little CDO ( that's OCD but with the letters in the correct order....)

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/for...eef82c2ec3f8472f01e1&t=377149&highlight=Rover

 

[skotl]

I'm a bit late to this but, when I've taken the truck off-roading it comes back totally caked in mud and that includes the engine bay.

I've just had at it with the pressure washer - common sense says don't spray directly into the battery or fuse box but I've never held back anywhere else, and no ill-effects.
I do tend to wash mine cold, though - I don't like the idea of hot cast metal getting surprised by a high-pressure dose of cold water

 

[gerrymoore]

Blimey..that Rover engine bay is amazing!! I'm quite happy with mine but it just shows what a bit of hard work can do! PDG - no signs of any rust - the bit I think your looking at is the plastic wheel liner where it clips to the wing?

I've now started on the alloys....in my haste to buy the car I just glanced at the wheels and thought 'they need a good clean'..but I don't think they've been cleaned for a long time and the brake dust is caked hard on.

I've got Bilberry wheel cleaner and that didn't really do much..had a small amount of phosphoric acid and that, with a bit of fine steel wool, has got some of the wheel looking good but it's so bloomin cold outside my fingers started dropping off!

I've got plenty of time so will wait for a 'warm' spell. Anyone got a magic potion for removing baked on brake dust from 'finicky' style alloys??

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Anyone got a magic potion for removing baked on brake dust from 'finicky' style alloys??

I use AutoSmart Smart Wheels, which can be used at differing dilution rates depending on whether deep clean or simple 'maintenance' clean is on the cards. Agitate with a suitable brush and the job's a good 'un.

If your rims are really dirty, several applications may be needed, then a sealant/wheel wax of choice makes keeping them looking their best much easier.