Make a donation

Author Topic: Engine bay clean  (Read 7040 times)

Offline Pesky jones

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 19
  • Posts: 1639
Engine bay clean
« on: March 31, 2015, 11:46:38 am »
I searched from some other topics, and they helped but still have a few questions.

I can't see a way of avoiding using water and APC to scrub the engine, do you just have to be careful not to use too much water in regard to electrics? There seems to be quite a bit of exposed electrical wire about the engine

Offline bigeyd

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 66
  • -Receive: 31
  • Posts: 454
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2015, 12:14:28 pm »
I put plastic over my induction and was careful around electrics


Offline Pesky jones

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 19
  • Posts: 1639
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2015, 12:32:38 pm »
I Don't have an induction kit on mine, so I should just be carefull with the electrics I guess. Just squeeze the sponge out before I take it to the engine so it doesn't leak water as such...

Offline lukemk5gti

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 118
  • Posts: 1845
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,89715.msg907250.html#msg907250
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2015, 02:11:16 pm »
I taped up electrical parts and open valves and power hosed very carefully.

Dried immediately afterwards too.

Unless you're very comfortable doing so then don't risk it.

Sponge, APC and brush.

Offline Pesky jones

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 19
  • Posts: 1639
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2015, 02:16:40 pm »
Sponge, APC and brush.

Thanks Luke, will do!

dansmith180

  • Guest
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2015, 02:18:09 pm »
They're not really that delicate, warm the engine up, rinse with APC, brush it and then jetwash off, then leave for 10 mins and start it up and let it run for a bit.

Offline xjay1337

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 15
  • -Receive: 377
  • Posts: 4916
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,88399.0.html
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2015, 02:18:26 pm »
There is absolutely nothing to worry about cleaning modern engine bays.
If the battery or air filter element is exposed then we cover those off but if it's a normal Mk5 engine with covers on everything we leave them running then clean them and have never had a single issue at all.


Offline Pesky jones

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 19
  • Posts: 1639
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2015, 02:24:39 pm »
can someone recommend an APC I can buy in a store?

Offline lukemk5gti

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 118
  • Posts: 1845
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,89715.msg907250.html#msg907250
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2015, 03:18:30 pm »
I use chemical guys APC and citrus pre clean

Offline Horatio

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 23
  • -Receive: 39
  • Posts: 733
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2015, 09:33:52 am »
Supermarket own brand is just as good and costs pennies!
2007 Black Magic DSG Golf GTI Edition 30. No.1231
.:R32 "milk and juice come in 2 litres"
I run a dirty campervan, need scrubbers

Offline JUNNYAK47

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 25
  • -Receive: 3
  • Posts: 81
    • Email
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2015, 08:24:42 am »
What about steam cleaning engine bays? a lot less water imo
Red Edition 30 - Stage 1+, APR Remap, Catback Milltek, ITG maxogen induction, APR HPFP,

Offline xjay1337

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 15
  • -Receive: 377
  • Posts: 4916
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,88399.0.html
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2015, 03:02:46 pm »
Fine to do that too.

Offline Panthera

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 23
  • -Receive: 8
  • Posts: 266
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2015, 03:54:53 pm »
When I do mine, I get a supermarket shopping/carrier bag to cover the alternator, then using the PW to quickly wet the bay. Then spray with a Megs bottle with foaming head filled with a degreaser like R222 Total Auto Wash and agitate areas with various brushes, then wash off being carefull to to 'flood' the engine bay.  Dry using MF towels.  Leave and continue to clean/detail the rest of the car, buy which time the bay should be nice and dry if it is a warm day.  Then using your engine dressing product of choice - 303 Aerospace dress rubbers, plastics etc, then leave. 

Its all things to all men...Golf GTi
2007 Blue Graphite Golf GTi

Offline Jack_gti

  • Just Arrived
  • **
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 0
  • -Receive: 2
  • Posts: 10
    • Email
Re: Engine bay clean
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2015, 07:54:04 pm »
Nothing better than a clean engine bay