Engine bay cleaning

[tuglet]

Hi All

After browsing this sub-forum, I'm inspired to clean up the engine bay in my Mk5 GTI. I plan to spray with engine degreaser and agitate with a suitable brush before rinsing off with my garden hose, then drying and finishing with some form of protection.

However, I'm unclear exactly what electrical connectors/components need to be covered with clingfilm or tinfoil. Looking under the bonnet, pretty much everything seems to be under a plastic cover. Any advice on exactly what to protect from the water would be much appreciated.

Cheers
tuglet

[john87]

Hi,

I've cleaned mine in this way, simply avoiding the fusebox area and covering battery terminals. All was well after the wash 

[tuglet]

Hi,

I've cleaned mine in this way, simply avoiding the fusebox area and covering battery terminals. All was well after the wash 

Hi John

That's great, thanks. Did you have your engine running when hosing off? I've read a lot of posts about engine cleaning lately and there seems to be a lot of contradictory advise.

[KevMK5]

I have been thinking of doing this and spent ages looking at options, (steam cleaning etc)


in the end i went and got a bottle of Autoglym engine de greaser and then used a product called Chemical Guys Bare Bones afterwards to give it a form of protection

before


after



sorry about poor iphone quality pics

[john87]

Hi,

I've cleaned mine in this way, simply avoiding the fusebox area and covering battery terminals. All was well after the wash 

Hi John

That's great, thanks. Did you have your engine running when hosing off? I've read a lot of posts about engine cleaning lately and there seems to be a lot of contradictory advise.

No I didn't have my engine running, have done with previous cars but don't really see any advantage in he golf since the whole thing's covered in plastic  different in older cars where the running engine would help standing water to evaporate...

[tuglet]

I have been thinking of doing this and spent ages looking at options, (steam cleaning etc)


in the end i went and got a bottle of Autoglym engine de greaser and then used a product called Chemical Guys Bare Bones afterwards to give it a form of protection

before


after



sorry about poor iphone quality pics

That looks very tidy. I'd be happy with that. Did you cover any electrics when hosing off?

[tuglet]

Hi,

I've cleaned mine in this way, simply avoiding the fusebox area and covering battery terminals. All was well after the wash 

Hi John

That's great, thanks. Did you have your engine running when hosing off? I've read a lot of posts about engine cleaning lately and there seems to be a lot of contradictory advise.

No I didn't have my engine running, have done with previous cars but don't really see any advantage in he golf since the whole thing's covered in plastic  different in older cars where the running engine would help standing water to evaporate...

Nice one. Cheers.

[KevMK5]

No hosing off done.

Simply spray on the degreaser/cleaner. Agitate with a brush. Spray some more on and wipe off with microfiber.