what the best way to clean your engine?

[Admin/Founder 2]

As the title says whats the best way to clean your engine?
i was allways under the impression steam cleaning was the way to go?

I started to look around on line for steam cleaners earlier as i figured that something like a Karcher for steaming might exist these days?

Well indeed there is a karcher steamer but after searching online ive read soo many people saying never ever steam clean your engine !!!!

Id never dream of using a pressure washer i realise they are just too much pressure especially as Boris is injection with lots of electrical bits to get filled with water ::)but i thought Steam Cleaning the engine would be safer?

Apparently not

So how do i clean his engine in situ?
clean enough to be painted?
Any ideas?

There must be a right way to do it?

[(minisniper)]

Get some one else to do it ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Admin/Founder 2]

Sam
Oh Sam
;D ;D ;D

[morris1100]

In Australia there is a good cheap degreaser in a spray can called "Export Degreaser"and it does an excellent job of cleaning the engine. Just spray about two cans on the engine and hose it off. My motors are spotless.

I have a hot water pressure washer and I don't use it under a bonnet unless it is for caked on grease.
A steam cleaner is much harsher than a pressure washer. It will blow the paint off quite easily if you are not careful. I can remove paint with my hot water pressure washer but it takes a while.

[Holly]

we just do ours by hand with some degreaser and cloths

[Admin/Founder 2]

Nov 17, 2009 8:41:56 GMT Holly said:

we just do ours by hand with some degreaser and cloths

I'm beginning to think its the best way Holly
a couple of months ago in MiniWorld Tim Mundy cleaned his engine bay and he was cleaning the inner wings just using soapy water

Because Boris is injected theres soo many more wires and sensors

I'm guessing steam though better than jet washing which is a bit of a No No anyhow is even not recommended because things that can cause havoc unless dry could absorb moisture

So im guessing its strip as much as can safely be removed out of the way the use a good degreaser and sponge it off bit by bit

I'm dreading having to remove stuff,really the throttle body needs to come off to clean and paint the back of the engine block

Some wouldn't do the bit you cant see but i know it will annoy me if i don't im so finicky

Huggz
Jodie

[Holly]

we have cleaned and painted up a few of my Minis engines with them still in the car and we never used or needed any fancy steam cleaning or anything. A bit of elbow grease will do the trick

[niceboy1275]

My rover is an injected engine, i used 2 cans of export degreaser on it (it was filthy) and then used the karcher. I obviously didn't aim the karcher at the dizzy or the throttle body area, but it worked a treat getting the gunk off.

[niceboy1275]

Forgot to mention, when some water did get around the electricals I use my hair dryer on a low setting to dry it all up. An elderly friend (who used to work for BMC back in the day as a mechanic) was completely astounded that I would use a hair dryer on an engine, but it worked a treat!

[morris1100]

Nov 24, 2009 22:58:35 GMT niceboy1275 said:

Forgot to mention, when some water did get around the electricals I use my hair dryer on a low setting to dry it all up. An elderly friend (who used to work for BMC back in the day as a mechanic) was completely astounded that I would use a hair dryer on an engine, but it worked a treat!

Yep a hair dryer or a heat gun are great for drying wet ignition systems.
I just squirt the whole engine with degreaser and then hose it off and I don't care what gets wet. I pop off the dizzy cap and dry it with the heat gun.
The road service blokes use a heat gun or even a gas powered soldering iron to dry wet ignitions.

[julian0987]

i used GUNK degreaser and a karcher pressure washer came up a treat best so far i think!