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| sgilmour Member Since: 21 Jul 2015 Location: Essex Posts: 232   
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Apologies if this has been covered before but I've seen conflicting views on every other place I've searched.
My engine is covered (literally covered) in oil thanks to a dodgy rocker cover gasket. I'm going to replace the gasket soon and want to clean down the engine so I can see any other leaks and also just to have it look a little bit better. I'm almost definitely going to Gunk the engine but my concern is in washing the engine off. Have people done this and encountered any problems (thinking electrical...), have an recommendations on the whole cleaning process? It's a 300TDi engine and I'm hoping to be able to just hose down the engine but I'm not sure what risks I'm running by doing so. All help appreciated. Cheers. |
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14th Oct 2015 12:56pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5115  
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Gunk is as good as any other product use a stiff brush to apply on a warm engine leave for a few minutes then hose off using the brush to remove stubborn bits. I would not use a pressure washer (I know lots do but if you are using a degreaser it is not necessary). If you want you could tape up parts of the loom with carrier bags to protect your eclectics. Leave for about half an hour with the bonnet open to dry everything out before starting.
Word of caution the water coming off the engine will be dirty, greasy and full of crap if you do this on your drive you are going to have to wash it all off that as well so do it on the road.  For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..
http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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14th Oct 2015 1:15pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5115
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Scratch that then,
 but be aware your drive will be greasy so perhaps place a load of newspapers underneath or better still some disposable nappies folded out that you can gather and put in your black bin. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..
http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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14th Oct 2015 1:22pm |
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| sgilmour Member Since: 21 Jul 2015 Location: Essex Posts: 232
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Thanks for the tips, I'll make sure I cover up any electrics that look like they might be in the firing line.
As for the cleanup I've got a scrap of grass outside my house, I'll park up there and give it some watering
Cheers guys |
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14th Oct 2015 1:38pm |
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| VeeTee Member Since: 06 Mar 2011 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1512 
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Why not go to a car (self) wash station and do it there? Then at least the waste water, with grease and oil, will be collected and treated or separated before dumping in the environment!
 Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold) 1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold) 1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold) 1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold) 2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold) 2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold) MySite |
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14th Oct 2015 6:45pm |
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| JAY BOY Member Since: 04 May 2010 Location: Not here Posts: 1706
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As above /\
A good degreasing agent and a hot soapy wash with someone else's jet wash. |
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14th Oct 2015 6:52pm |
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| sgilmour Member Since: 21 Jul 2015 Location: Essex Posts: 232
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Embarrassingly I hadn't thought about going to the garage and using their jet wash to wash the oil off
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15th Oct 2015 9:09am |
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| Browny90 Member Since: 20 Jul 2015 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 183 
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I would get hold of some TFR (Traffic Film Remover)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...reId=10001 Its great stuff, becaureful around alluminum as if you leave it on for too long it will stain it as it cleans. I would go to a garage with a decent jet wash, soak your engine with TFR agitate trouble areas with a stiff brush (or a paint brush works well to get into the hard to reach places) leave for 10 minutes then pressure wash/ steam clean. I dont invisage you having any problems with electrics, I submerge my 200tdi completely in water and rarely get any problems, but obviously, if you can keep away from elec connectors, and I wouldnt get TFR on your alternator or too much water if you can help it. I used to use TFR on Truck when I worked for Scania, It works great, we used a Knapsack to spray in the hard to reach places etc,.. you'll be pleased with it. but remember!! KEEP AWAY FROM ANY COSMETIC ALLUMINUM (CHEQUER PLATE ON WINGS/ WHEELS ETC) My 1986 90 is currently on a full rebuild, with new chassis, Paint etc.. Very much a hybrid, TD5 Chassis, tub & bulkhead with a 200TDI and LT77 GB Painted in Stornoway Grey  2 years off the road, but getting close to completion now |
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15th Oct 2015 9:32am |
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| Wangers Member Since: 19 Jan 2013 Location: West London Posts: 265 
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1 can of WD foaming Degreaser, give it 5, rinse, reapply and tooth brus to the stubbern bits, repeat.
all sparkerly. and Shell's habd jet was took all the crap to eb safely disosed of. TY&GN 10 years in a WOLF, WIMIK and Snatch and this is all I have to show! |
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15th Oct 2015 4:53pm |
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