I noticed yesterday that after a number of entries into various speed boat trials (floods!!), my engine bay, which is normally truly spotless, is really manky. Can I safely jetwash it without causing any unwanted water ingress, or electrical damage, or do I need to take the manual approach?

Cheers people.

Yes you can, IIRC it's covered in the owners manual. Take obvious precautions like cover up electronics boxes and don't spray directly at them.

As Stu says, and just to add, if it is a Mark2, take care around the E-Box, I cleaned my engine bay when I first got the car with some "Muc-Off" and hose, then the E-box blew a load of fuses and relays and the car was off the road. SUK did not want to pay for the repair under warranty, but upon being pointed to the section in the handbook by DGW on washing the engine bay, the dealer backed me up and SUK coughed up.

Not trying to put you off, but just take care around the areas where the electrics are placed.

OT, my neighbour washed her paxo (1.1, flip paint, full predator bodykit), she had an induction kit on it and was pressure washing the filter ................ I was going to say nothing, but was overcome with guilt and stopped her from starting it, then helped her get rid of the water and dried off the filter. My actions had NOTHING to do with her being a "G"cup ......... honestly )

My actions had NOTHING to do with her being a "G"cup ......... honestly )

Of course Tony

:rofl:

I'd be much more inclined to use a 'Muc Off' type product, or more straightforward degreaser then a simple hose approach to rinse off. I've found that with a product like that, there isn't really the need for the power of a pressurised approach. And less risk.

S

Tony Your a true Gent(perv)

As my engine bay has been noted by VRS phil as stinking dirty i suppose it's time to clean it up

So if someone can spell it out for me that would be cool i.e. what degreasser to use and what bit's to cover exactly

An idiot's guide would be good as i am an idiot

My actions had NOTHING to do with her being a "G"cup ......... honestly )

:eek: How do you know?

:eek: How do you know?

Well, it's quite amusing really

High Winds, Washing, Washing lines, low fence, over shoulder boulder holders hanging off the trellis for my climbing fuschia

Did you give them back?

I'm waiting for the "This thread is worthless without pics"

Did you give them back?

I'm waiting for the "This thread is worthless without pics"

No he's still wearing them!:eek:

An idiot's guide would be good as i am an idiot

I'm also an idiot, but the guys at Polished Bliss seem to know their stuff - Polished Bliss - Car Care Advice - How to safely clean and protect your engine bay

I would tend to use a degreaser rather than a pressure washer, but if it says in the manual it's ok then I guess that's a good get out clause One thing to watch is if you're spraying the intercooler that you don't bend the fins (can't remember where the I/C is on the Octy)....

Chris

I use both - spray with engine degreaser of some sort (often just the cheapo stuff from "Pound shops") then pressure wash off. Immediately start engine afterwards to dry off.

No he's still wearing them!:eek:

How dare you ............. I am using them as a swing for my twins

If I was cleaning an engine bay (done a couple in the past) then I'd not use a pressure washer. I just use Autoglym Engine Cleaner (think thats what its called) and a Meguiars brush. Then using a watering can I'd carefully rinse the degreaser off and then spray Autoglym Instant Tyre Shine all over the engine and leave it to try. Obviously if there's any exposed electrical bits then I'd cover them or avoid getting them wet though.

Last time I cleaned the Furby's engine with above method:

Presumably you then throw the brush away?

Presumably you then throw the brush away?

I prefer to let it drop into the engine bay

Assuming the engine bay is just dirty from the roads and not covered in oil/grease as the initial post implies regarding speed boat trials, I would:

use a hose pipe, pinch the end to get a bit of a spray, quickly cover the engine and under bonnet. and then go over the whole lot with a damp synthetic chami, frequently rinsing the cloth with clean water. Do this with a cold engine otherwise the water drys too quick and your left with water marks.

I personally wouldnt be comfortable blasting high pressure water into my engine bay too if theres a viable alternative. Take a little more time with some degreaser and all purpose cleaner and save the risk

Karcher steam cleaner and an airline to blow off after, its what they do to your car when its new, works a treat.

how about using a steam cleaner?

See Ross' post above yours

Would be the ideal solution, in my mind, but not that many people happen to have one knocking about

Hiring one is always an option I suppose. HSS etc.

S

Assuming the engine bay is just dirty from the roads and not covered in oil/grease as the initial post implies regarding speed boat trials, I would:

use a hose pipe, pinch the end to get a bit of a spray, quickly cover the engine and under bonnet. and then go over the whole lot with a damp synthetic chami, frequently rinsing the cloth with clean water. Do this with a cold engine otherwise the water drys too quick and your left with water marks.

Thanks for the many replies. Regarding the type of muck, it is just dirty water stains from fighting my way through the floods. No oily grease in my engine bay (apart from in the engine !!). The pressure washer approach seems less appealing following the replies here. Maybe a more manual hands on gentle approach is required. A job for the weekend - if it doesn't rain

Cheers guys

Thanks for the many replies. Regarding the type of muck, it is just dirty water stains from fighting my way through the floods. No oily grease in my engine bay (apart from in the engine !!). The pressure washer approach seems less appealing following the replies here. Maybe a more manual hands on gentle approach is required. A job for the weekend - if it doesn't rain

Cheers guys

The method I described earlier takes 10-15 minutes. It really is that easy

Dont know if this is too late... you know what the engine bay looked like when you bought the car off me... all i used to use was a light stream of water from the hose, a can of de greaser from Halfrauds and some sort of trim detailer to make the black plastics shine nicely.