Hi

I frequently park next to a windy beach. I just had a look under the bonnet to change the air filter. I found sricky sand inside (safe side!) I hoovered and wiped this out as best i could. And in the engine bay. Some of the aluminium components are starting to show surface corrosion and i can see it won't be long before the ferrous parts go the same way. Does anyone have any recommendations for gently safely cleaning the engine compartment? I thought i heard they were coated to prevent corrosion so don't wash them with solvents. Naturally I'm also worried about the electrics.....

I usually Snow foam the engine bay let it soak for 5-10 mins then use a small brush to agitate in the nooks and crannies.

Personally I wouldn’t be worried about that at all. Aluminium doesn’t corrode in the same way as steel, that is surface corrosion and won’t get any worse.

 

I wash my bay down with a pressure washer and multi purpose cleaner 1:10

24 minutes ago, ApertureS said:

Personally I wouldn’t be worried about that at all. Aluminium doesn’t corrode in the same way as steel, that is surface corrosion and won’t get any worse.

 

I wash my bay down with a pressure washer and multi purpose cleaner 1:10

And no issues with electrics etc? Pressure washer sounds a bit severe ?

Though I will admit to having never used one in an engine bay, I do have a steam cleaner at home and use it for various cleaning tasks, hard to reach places.

Cannot see why it cannot be used on engine bay, and much safer than a pressure washer as less risk.  The steam evaporates quickly, so less chance of trouble.

 

Used with some APC - All purpose cleaner and if needed some brushes to agitate, should be onto a winner.

Best of all, can be used around the house, so SWMBO will be happy with purchase if you have those worries.

8 hours ago, BPL said:

And no issues with electrics etc? Pressure washer sounds a bit severe ?

Never go closer than 2ft with the pressure washer and never keep it in one spot. Basically you’re just using it to rinse away, not for blasting anything out.

The worst corroded under bonnet you ever see and worse alloy are those cars that have had 'kerb side' autos steam cleaning engine compartments.

Valeting 'sales cars etc.  

 

Use an air line, use a vacuum, remove sand / salt and oily rag wipe, or waxoyl etc, and remember that will have more sand / salt sticking over time.

but then oil rag / wipe and clean.

Use rust inhibitor on exposed metal, paint exposed metal and generally keep clean and protected. 

 

.....................

This 12 year old Volvo was pretty bad when i got it and it got a bit of a non detergent wash and scrub up and the alloy was just given a wipe over occasionally. 

The engine was a used replacement and the alloy not nice but it got no worse.

I use Tyre & Bumper restorer to clean plastics. 

Edited 25 August, 20223 yr by roottoot