Engine bay cleaning

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Pidgeonpost

Having been a user of Gunk since the mid 60's, yours is exactly the process and products I use on both our cars for some years.

Me too but probably since the late 80s… used to be a Sunday morning ritual, brushing gunk into a slightly warm engine…. Lovely smell !

[Bob Meadows]

Unfortunately Gunk lost all its power some time back when it changed to a water based product :~

Little use on heavily contaminated parts- Screwfix sells a degreaser under their own brand "No Nonsense" 5Ltr and was/is a good price for another water based product but equal to Gunk & cheaper?
(Both are suitable for mild cleaning though)

On a modern car with all those electrical connectors & associated parts then care must be taken with water particularly pressure washing.

Shine on!
Bob.

[Tannaton]

This is my opinion, others will not agree, I respect that, but....

On Volvo's there is no danger from carefully power washing the engine bay. All electrical connectors are well sealed, all modules/ECU's are well covered. Coil packs are sealed and well out of the way.

On Volvos, all of the analogue engine sensors (i.e. not those that are simply on/off) are bridge type in that they have a 5v feed, ground and signal - there is a reference resistor within the sensor so even if the connector is contaminated, it doesn't sway the signal.

Even the alternator is okay to get wet (although I wouldn't spray it driectly so as not to damage the insulation on the windings), it's 12v so water isn't going to cause a short and all of the voltage regulator etc. is potted and water proof. What kills alternators is oil and fuel contamination.

Hence I'd rather wash an engine off with a pressure washer and cold water than use any solvents, alkaline soaps or detergents. I have a cheap entry level £100 Karcher power washer which is relatively low power that I use for that purpose, only ever had one very temporary issue on wife's VW when I really went to town on it.

Next time I clean one of my engines I will post a vid...

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Bob Meadows

Unfortunately Gunk lost all its power some time back when it changed to a water based product :~
.

Indeed, the current product is pretty miserable, but I still have about a half a 25L drum of the original stuff when I bought a job lot in the early 1990's.

Getting decent fluid for parts washers is hard now as well.

[Pidgeonpost]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Me too but probably since the late 80s… used to be a Sunday morning ritual, brushing gunk into a slightly warm engine…. Lovely smell !

Gunk and Marmite - you love 'em or hate' em!

[Lancee]

Be aware if pressure washing a C70 Mk2 engine bay, in particular with regard to getting any water in the air filter box.

There is a cooling duct which runs from inside the airbox down to the ECU located in the front nearside wheelarch (RHD).

I discovered this when inspecting the ECU in my car whereupon I further discovered the signs of water ingress/corrosion on the ECU casing.

[Wagon Sailor]

Originally Posted by Pidgeonpost

Gunk and Marmite - you love 'em or hate' em!

Similar colour, too.

[TeamG]

Lots of conflicting opinions. I’ve ordered a 5l drum of G101 and will give it a combination of spray/agitate/jetwash and post the results. I’ll try some silicone spray in the plastics too.

[AndiS60]

This guy has some great videos, and depends how long you want to take, but worth a look

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRSoRkM8GcM

[baggy798]

No fupping way would I ever do such a stupid thing!

+ YouTube Video