Cleaning the engine bay

- Paul - · 08-19-2009, 09:35 AM

I want to clean the engine bay prior to selling. Whats the easiest way to do it?

I'm guessing that power washers aren't a good idea

JLR1969 · 08-19-2009, 10:48 AM

I used the jet wash but held it not that close.

Give the whole area a general spray.
Spray the entire area with Autoglym Engine Cleaner
Agitate with a paint brush
Wash off with jet wash

Repeat if necessary.

Did mine and the girlfriends and they both looked amazing after, both cars started first time.

Get yourself off to Halfords.

- Paul - · 08-19-2009, 11:52 AM

Cheers - I read somewhere else just to use WD40 and a rag? - It is quite mucky under there though.

SiKkBaSs · 08-19-2009, 12:56 PM

Say you were to clean it, how long would it be til it all gets dirty again. Is it really worthwhile...there is not much else apart from the engine cover (metal) that you can honestly shine up.

- Paul - · 08-19-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightweight

Say you were to clean it, how long would it be til it all gets dirty again. Is it really worthwhile...there is not much else apart from the engine cover (metal) that you can honestly shine up.

Its all the plastic and stuff in there - helps when selling a car

willhollin · 08-19-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightweight

Say you were to clean it, how long would it be til it all gets dirty again. Is it really worthwhile...there is not much else apart from the engine cover (metal) that you can honestly shine up.

So that's why you smell then?

Carrera RSR · 08-19-2009, 02:18 PM

Spray some TFR or AG engine cleaner and agitate with a crap sponge. Rinse off with a hose pipe. Pop your thumb over the end if a bit more power needed. If its really crap in there do it several times. Dry off with crap chamois and a gentle warm through of the engine. Get some Aerospace 303 and spray over the engine bay. Buff up with a microfibre cloth. I do this once a month after 4,000 miles and it keeps the engine bay tip top. Aerospace 303 doesn't allow the crap to stick and keeps an as new look to the bay

- Paul - · 08-19-2009, 03:05 PM

Cheers JLR and Carrera - will pickup some AG stuff and have a go next week.

scottishpete · 08-19-2009, 05:56 PM

DONT use WD40

SiKkBaSs · 08-19-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

So that's why you smell then?

AlanQS · 08-20-2009, 04:27 AM

carrerarsr is spot on

If you have never washed your engine bay, the difference - even when not done anally, is night and day and if you are selling privately, it gives a buyer the impression that the car has been well looked after.

Wash the underside of the bonnet and inside wing tops and clean as much of the painted surfaces as you can - it all helps.

MO_1 · 08-20-2009, 06:05 AM

Where did you get your aerospace 303 from?

Carrera RSR · 08-20-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO_1

Where did you get your aerospace 303 from?

Googled detailing suppliers

Last lot came from ebay

AlanQS · 08-20-2009, 08:29 AM

I got mine from these guys - a little safer than E-Bay.

dxb335d · 08-20-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

carrerarsr is spot on

If you have never washed your engine bay, the difference - even when not done anally, is night and day and if you are selling privately, it gives a buyer the impression that the car has been well looked after.

Wash the underside of the bonnet and inside wing tops and clean as much of the painted surfaces as you can - it all helps.

To some though, a very clean engine bay is a turn away, can be hiding oil leaks and the like, which is one possible reason the owner cleaned it...

willhollin · 08-20-2009, 10:16 AM

I like mine dirty.

booforty · 08-20-2009, 10:28 AM

The filthier the better

Dr Dave · 08-20-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

To some though, a very clean engine bay is a turn away, can be hiding oil leaks and the like, which is one possible reason the owner cleaned it...

I agree with you Carlos, I'd rather see a 'grimy' engine bay on a used car than a nice shiny one - what are they covering up??

E902717 · 08-20-2009, 01:14 PM

i like to be able to write my name in the dirt

- Paul - · 08-20-2009, 02:20 PM

This needs a poll!!

Do you like to see a dirty engine bay on a 2nd hand car

YES
NO

Mods??

Carrera RSR · 08-20-2009, 02:38 PM

I like to eat my lunch on a clean engine

Ah shit.....that will leave greasy residue

When buying a second hand car I believe that a clean engine bay on a shite car is like polishing a turd. The car will still be shite. If you can't see through a bit of spit and polish then you deserve the turd. A cared for, clean and tidy car will still stand out from a unloved, covered in grime and oil one in my book.

JLR1969 · 08-20-2009, 03:43 PM

Why spend hours making the car look amazing and then leave the engine in a shit state.....

View Poll Results: How do you like your engine bay ???
Virginally squeaky clean for me please	13	86.67%
I like it dirty - I'm all down for the filth	2	13.33%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

08-19-2009, 09:35 AM	#1
- Paul - Major General 689 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Cleaning the engine bay I want to clean the engine bay prior to selling. Whats the easiest way to do it? I'm guessing that power washers aren't a good idea __________________ My Photos
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08-19-2009, 10:48 AM	#2
JLR1969 Major General 1880 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	I used the jet wash but held it not that close. Give the whole area a general spray. Spray the entire area with Autoglym Engine Cleaner Agitate with a paint brush Wash off with jet wash Repeat if necessary. Did mine and the girlfriends and they both looked amazing after, both cars started first time. Get yourself off to Halfords.
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08-19-2009, 11:52 AM	#3
- Paul - Major General 689 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Cheers - I read somewhere else just to use WD40 and a rag? - It is quite mucky under there though. __________________ My Photos
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08-19-2009, 12:56 PM	#4
SiKkBaSs GTR'in it 169 Rep 4,434 Posts Drives: Nissan GTR Black Edition Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kensington, London iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Say you were to clean it, how long would it be til it all gets dirty again. Is it really worthwhile...there is not much else apart from the engine cover (metal) that you can honestly shine up.
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08-19-2009, 02:18 PM	#7
Carrera RSR Colonel 74 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Location: Location: iTrader: (1)	Spray some TFR or AG engine cleaner and agitate with a crap sponge. Rinse off with a hose pipe. Pop your thumb over the end if a bit more power needed. If its really crap in there do it several times. Dry off with crap chamois and a gentle warm through of the engine. Get some Aerospace 303 and spray over the engine bay. Buff up with a microfibre cloth. I do this once a month after 4,000 miles and it keeps the engine bay tip top. Aerospace 303 doesn't allow the crap to stick and keeps an as new look to the bay
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-19-2009, 03:05 PM	#8
- Paul - Major General 689 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Cheers JLR and Carrera - will pickup some AG stuff and have a go next week. __________________ My Photos
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08-19-2009, 05:56 PM	#9
scottishpete Lieutenant 38 Rep 547 Posts Drives: e92 325d m sport coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: aberdeen iTrader: (3)	DONT use WD40
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08-20-2009, 04:27 AM	#11
AlanQS Colonel 240 Rep 2,810 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	carrerarsr is spot on If you have never washed your engine bay, the difference - even when not done anally, is night and day and if you are selling privately, it gives a buyer the impression that the car has been well looked after. Wash the underside of the bonnet and inside wing tops and clean as much of the painted surfaces as you can - it all helps.
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08-20-2009, 06:05 AM	#12
MO_1 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 213 Posts Drives: BMW 330D M SPORT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: WALSALL WEST MIDLANDS iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 E90 330d M SPORT [0.00]	Where did you get your aerospace 303 from?
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08-20-2009, 08:29 AM	#14
AlanQS Colonel 240 Rep 2,810 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	I got mine from these guys - a little safer than E-Bay.
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08-20-2009, 10:16 AM	#16
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	I like mine dirty.
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08-20-2009, 10:28 AM	#17
booforty Major General 333 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	The filthier the better
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08-20-2009, 01:14 PM	#19
E902717 Colonel 56 Rep 2,402 Posts Drives: E91 335d M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	i like to be able to write my name in the dirt __________________ Car: 2011 BMW E91 335D M-Sport Previous: 2010 BMW E70 X5 3.0D M-Sport - last seen going backwards in a hedge
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08-20-2009, 02:20 PM	#20
- Paul - Major General 689 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	This needs a poll!! Do you like to see a dirty engine bay on a 2nd hand car YES NO Mods?? __________________ My Photos
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08-20-2009, 02:38 PM	#21
Carrera RSR Colonel 74 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Location: Location: iTrader: (1)	I like to eat my lunch on a clean engine Ah shit.....that will leave greasy residue When buying a second hand car I believe that a clean engine bay on a shite car is like polishing a turd. The car will still be shite. If you can't see through a bit of spit and polish then you deserve the turd. A cared for, clean and tidy car will still stand out from a unloved, covered in grime and oil one in my book.
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08-20-2009, 03:43 PM	#22
JLR1969 Major General 1880 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	Why spend hours making the car look amazing and then leave the engine in a shit state.....
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