What is the best way to clean up an engine bay from usual dirt, grime and spilt oil. I dont have access to a steam cleaner but wondered if anyone could recommend any products or a way it could be done.

Many thanks

What is the best way to clean up an engine bay from usual dirt, grime and spilt oil. I dont have access to a steam cleaner but wondered if anyone could recommend any products or a way it could be done.

Many thanks

Cover all important electrical bits in the engine bay with plastic bags etc, then liberally spray the whole lot with engine degreaser. Agitate any stubborn areas with a brush etc to lift the grime. Give it a hose down after a while, and then check for any areas that need re-doing. Wait 'til it's dry, and treat all the plastic and rubber bits with 303 Aerospace Protectant.

And hope the car starts afterwards.

If you have got an under-engine tray, it's best to remove else all water and grime will sit on top of it.

Quite a nasty mess other-wise, when you go to remove it for an oil change for instance. YUK!!

I just use Autoglym Engine cleaner......and a normal hose pipe with a fine shower head on and low presure....wet engine, spray on AG stuff and use an old 2" paintbrush agitate ther stuff/work it in.....then rinse off......then spray engine bay with Autoglym vynil and rubber care and leave to dry!....nice and shiny!!

Fairy liquid works well with a paintbrush and cheaper than a degreaser. If using a jet wash make sure the lance isnt close enough to apply too much pressure, you just want to rinse everything really, and do it with the engine running. Leave the engine running for 10 mins or so after.

I just use Autoglym Engine cleaner......and a normal hose pipe with a fine shower head on and low presure....wet engine, spray on AG stuff and use an old 2" paintbrush agitate ther stuff/work it in.....then rinse off......then spray engine bay with Autoglym vynil and rubber care and leave to dry!....nice and shiny!!

Same here - tried cleaning my engine bay for the first time ever a few weeks a go. Lots of scare-mongering floating around on the interwebs had prevented me from trying before. I let the engine cool, sprayed AG Engine & Machine Cleaner about the place and scrubbed around with a brush, then just rinsed off with a hose from a short distance. I didn't actually cover anything electrical at all :-O

Worked great! It was so easy that I went and did our little SEAT Arosa straight afterwards. I did cover the battery on that though, as it doesn't have a lid like the Fabia.

so if just using your normal hose pipe do you need to cover the electrics in the engine

so if just using your normal hose pipe do you need to cover the electrics in the engine

I have a multi head on my hosepipe which gives 8 different "patterns"....set mine to a gentle "shower".....just don't set to "jet" and direct at the electrics!

Same here - tried cleaning my engine bay for the first time ever a few weeks a go. Lots of scare-mongering floating around on the interwebs had prevented me from trying before. I let the engine cool, sprayed AG Engine & Machine Cleaner about the place and scrubbed around with a brush, then just rinsed off with a hose from a short distance. I didn't actually cover anything electrical at all :-O

Worked great! It was so easy that I went and did our little SEAT Arosa straight afterwards. I did cover the battery on that though, as it doesn't have a lid like the Fabia.

Have you tried the AG vinyl and rubber trick?....Spray the engine bay whilst still wet after you rinse off clean...then close bonnet and leave to dry....puts a nice clear water repelling protective coat over everything!!!

Have you tried the AG vinyl and rubber trick?....Spray the engine bay whilst still wet after you rinse off clean...then close bonnet and leave to dry....puts a nice clear water repelling protective coat over everything!!!

I haven't, no. I gave the plastics a go over with some ... magical black goop (can't remember what it is called). I will look in to that kind of thing next time I feel like giving it a clean though - water repelling is cool

It's still clean under there as is, and that was a few weeks a go now It's nice being able to stick your hands around the engine bay and not have them come out covered in oil, grease, grime and general dirt...!

Thanks all but what electric bits should I cover for extra protection? 

Cover all the plug/sockets on the front of the engine and anywhere else, water gets into them and creates havoc with the electrics causing engine running problems.

DB.

Thank you, how about  alternator,distributor,alarm,battery? I don't think the fabia estate got any 'computer' to cover.

Have found a good article to share here: https://www.cars.com/articles/are-there-any-mechanical-benefits-to-cleaning-an-engine-1420681075630/

Still will like to clean it at least every 3 months.

Just cover alternator and battery

I even pressure wash mine. Takes no hurt. Plugs are all waterproof anyways

Thank you, how about  alternator,distributor,alarm,battery? I don't think the fabia estate got any 'computer' to cover.

Have found a good article to share here: https://www.cars.com/articles/are-there-any-mechanical-benefits-to-cleaning-an-engine-1420681075630/

Still will like to clean it at least every 3 months.

The engine ECU (computer) is on the bulkhead on the right as you look at the engine. Avoid that, alternator is fine though.