MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: rossow on July 12, 2012, 06:56:53 PM
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Hey everyone,
I'm prepping my new car for its maiden voyage and was wondering what to do to get the engine bay as clean as possible. During the trip I'm expecting red dirt and mud and want to be able to clean up afterwards. I'm sure after a few thousand k's of baking the red dirt and mud is going to be hard to get off.
So what do people do to get their engine bays clean after trips?
cheers
Rossow.
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Hi Mate,
After I degrease, I use truck wash CT18, then I always spray Wd40 or the like around everywhere, even while it is wet, helps to disperse the water as well.
Been doing this for many years, I first used this method when I use to race Enduro bikes, it helped in washing off the muck next time. Sure it will collect the dust, but the layer of WD40 will help with removal later.
I'd be doing the same before your left and on return soaking the engine bay in CT18 for ages before trying to hose out the muck.
I'm sure someone else may have another ideas, but this is what has worked for me
:cheers:
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After a Cape trip with red dust all through the motor I buy degreaser from super cheap and spray 4 cans worth into the engine bay and wait for half a beer and then gurney the motor. It comes up sparkling. Total cost $10.
Mark
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As stated use degreaser after the trip and a liberal coating of WD40. As sugested a good soaking of WD40 pre trip would also be a good idea.
My secret after a degrease and a wash is stuff called tyre shine (its about $3 a can from repco or Wollies). It leaves all the black bits, hoses etc sparkling and it hides all of the stains and marks from dust and dirt.
Not a bad looking engine bay for a 15 Year old truck.
Regards
Jas
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Not a bad looking engine bay for a 15 Year old truck.
Nice, you can come and do mine now :)
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As stated use degreaser after the trip and a liberal coating of WD40. As sugested a good soaking of WD40 pre trip would also be a good idea.
My secret after a degrease and a wash is stuff called tyre shine (its about $3 a can from repco or Wollies). It leaves all the black bits, hoses etc sparkling and it hides all of the stains and marks from dust and dirt.
Not a bad looking engine bay for a 15 Year old truck.
Regards
Jas
Jas
You missed a spot to the left ;D
Mark
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Jas
You missed a spot to the left ;D
Mark
Mark, look what you have done now! I have to go out side, in the rain and darkness and fix it or I just won't sleep.
You know my missus reckons I am anal mate, I just don't get it. ;D
Regards
jas
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Auto correct?
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Nice, you can come and do mine now :)
I would imagine your engine to be spotless!
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Jas
You missed a spot to the left ;D
Mark
I wasn't going to mention it Mark,
I didn't want to rain on his parade ;D
Hey Jason, yours like mine must be the rare ones that don't leak P/S oil from the reservoir.
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Hey Jason, yours like mine must be the rare ones that don't leak P/S oil from the reservoir.
True mate so far so good with this one. My last 2 80's 1HD-T and a 4.5 Petrol both leaked from underneath the top of the reservoir. I replaced it on my 1HD-t but not before having the pump rebuilt because that's where I thought is was coming from DOH!. I nearly fell over when I got the price of the reservoir.
Regards
jas
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I would imagine your engine to be spotless!
Getting a bit personal?
Is it like comparing manhood? (Imagining another mans engine)
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Auto correct?
???
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Getting a bit personal?
Is it like comparing manhood? (Imagining another mans engine)
LOL ;D
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thanks everyone, exactly what I was thinking, but its great to have it confirmed!
Cheers
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What.......! Are you ment to clean the engine bay aswell .
BUGGER .
I use CT18 used everywhere , under side , inside & camper.
Just not on outside panels .
Cheers Ian.
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???
Yeah Jas, was wandering the same thing.
BJ please advise? What is auto correct?
1HDT
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Just keep in mind that with the new generation of diesels there are electronic gizmos that would rather look a git dirty than have a long, sweet, chemical bath.
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Both WD 40 and Tyre Shine will attract dust - I suggest you don't use either unless you spend all your time on the tar, or you are about to sell your pride and joy (in which case Tyre Shine is great).
I use truck wash and pressure washer to keep the engine bay clean.
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I use CT18 used everywhere , under side , inside & camper.
Just not on outside panels .
Why not on the panels?
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Supercheap Auto have a sale at the moment and CT-18 is heavily discounted.
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People clean their engine bays? ???
I dont even like cleaning the outside of the car!
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Why not on the panels?
I'm guessing because CT-18 (or any decent degreaser) will strip any protective wax/sealant coating. Same as washing your car with dishwashing liquid. Truckwash has it's place, but I don't use it on anything that I actually like. Proper carwash is cheap enough from SuperCheap.
I just use the pressure cleaner on the engine bay. If it's real dirty, I give it an all-over sudsing first, and let that soak for a couple of minutes. With the car running, the heat of the motor does most of the work for you. Just don't close the bonnet - you want any steam to be able to escape easily, vs work it's way into connectors, etc. WD40 on a rag will polish up everything that needs to be polished after you're done. I've never had a problem with it attracting too much dust, but I let it dry fairly well and use it very sparingly.
Just keep in mind that with the new generation of diesels there are electronic gizmos that would rather look a git dirty than have a long, sweet, chemical bath.
People say that about washing petrol engines too, but I've never had a problem. So long as you don't blast a connector block, fuse terminal or distributor with the pressure washer, my experience suggests to me you'll be pretty right. Of course, I may be wrong, in which case look for a suprisingly cheap Pathfinder coming up for sale in the near future with a spotless engine bay (can't hear running though).
Cheers!
Matto :)
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People clean their engine bays? ???
I dont even like cleaning the outside of the car!
X2.
I took my 4y/o son through the car wash the other day (don't worry, he was in the car!)... best $10 of amusement I've had for a long time.
LJ
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People say that about washing petrol engines too,
Had a 3lt turbo Dunny Door that hated getting any water in the engine bay. >:D
Heavy ran would cause it fart and miss.
Owned it for 16 years and could never not have troubles after washing the engine bay.
Bastard of a thing >:D
At the same time, I had an XW 351 that you could almost drown and it would keep going without a hic cup.
???
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I find truck wash good, but leaves everything dry looking.....so after washing it off....and almost dry, I go to town with the WD40 then lightly wash that off.......almost a brand new looking engine bay..!!
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Both WD 40 and Tyre Shine will attract dust - I suggest you don't use either unless you spend all your time on the tar, or you are about to sell your pride and joy (in which case Tyre Shine is great).
I use truck wash and pressure washer to keep the engine bay clean.
I agree that tyre shine and WD hold dust, they dont attract it as there is either dust or there isn't. The dust does stick to the tyre shine and WD however I find that it just hoses off. I have always found that Truck wash is great (I use also) however it can react with the alloy leaving it looking like its corroding. I always apply WD to arrest this after washing. WD also displaces the water from all of the engine plugs and nooks and crannies after washing.
Regards
Jas
Jas
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We sell haeps of truckwash at work and as a rough guideline,
CT18 the green one, is the most agressive, good for chassis,under carrage,engine bays etc..
But will dull paint if used to much.
RL18 the blue one, is a good allrounder i use it for the camper,house, under 4wd, patio etc....
It will also dull paint but not as bad as CT18.
CT20 the yellow one, this is the princess truckwash has a wax in it and is ok to use on painted panels.
not as good as the above 2 for heavy cleaning but good enoungh for regular washing of vehicals etc...
Cheers Ian.