cleaning engine bay

[MR2SIK]

Hey, last night the oil cap in my mr2 decided to disappear, now my engine bay is a complete mess ive managed to clean alot of the excess oil but theres still that fine layer all over the place ya cant just wipe off. I got told i can spray some de greaser in there then hose it off, but i remember hearing somewhere ages ago its not a good idea to hose down engine bays with heaps of complex looking electric bits in it Its got me completly stumped, anyone been thru the same thing?
thanks.............



Sean

Edit: Thinking back, it would have happened out past richmond which is a good 10kms from Nelson city where I actually noticed it. and during that time nothing seemed odd apart from the s/c belt slipping at high revs, which was later found to be coated in oil, my friend just lost his oil a couple of days ago and within 30 seconds the engine had partially seized seized (it was a nissan).
good ol reliable toyotas ah

[deaf_rattle]

you could look at getting it steam cleaned.
i think most car cleaing places will do this.
otherwise harden up and spray with degreasor and then rinse off.

[SEXYRZ]

My engine bay has been attacked by a water blaster. It still works fine!!
But yeah just spray degreaser and silicone all over the thing and then just attack it with a water blaster. It comes up just the same as if its just been steam cleaned yet a very cheap home jobby. But just make sure you leave the engine running the whole time you do it.

[Ae92typeX]

Yea, Ive degrezed and hosed many times with various cars. Usually leave them running while useing the hose and then I just go for a blat around for about 15min after to dry it all out.

[VTEXTC]

My engine bay has been attacked by a water blaster. It still works fine!!
But yeah just spray degreaser and silicone all over the thing and then just attack it with a water blaster. It comes up just the same as if its just been steam cleaned yet a very cheap home jobby. But just make sure you leave the engine running the whole time you do it.

you could look at getting it steam cleaned.
i think most car cleaing places will do this.
otherwise harden up and spray with degreasor and then rinse off.

I wouldnt take either of these bits of advice.. lol.
To start with attacking an engine with a waterblaster while its running would prolly be worse for it, think of the current running through all that computer shit and wires.. then it gets wet.. well you can end up blowing allsorts.

The steam cleaning idea is the better idea, yet the small particles of water find their way everywhere too. Chances are both will work fine, its just wether your willing to take the risk or not.

Cleaning engines comes down to hard work, degreaser, and a toothbrush

And Silicone Terri?? That makes everything sticky! lol

[MR2SIK]

Cheers guys n girls Il have to 'borrow' a bottle of industrial strength degreaser from work tomorrow and if it blows up well I'l stay positive and take that as a sign to take out a big as loan and do a 3sgte transplant

[Adamal]

Engine degreaser, hose off WHILE THE ENGINE IS OFF (Vtextc is right) then use some water displacer spray. I think the CRC stuff is called 5.56 from memory?
Just use that on the electrical joints (where things clip in etc) and make sure you give it a good spray. This will get rid of the moisture and prevent things from shorting out (Provided its properly applied)

[Ae92typeX]

When I do do it with the engine on I dont spray/clean anywhere near the distributor/ ignition leads or main looms. These areas I do by hand with a rag & meths usually.

[Dr-X]

just get some Simple Green, dilute 10:1 with water, spray it everywhere you get get to, and hose/waterblast it off. Leave it to sit for a few mins, start the car and go for a blast.

If you're concerned about getting water in some electrical parts, eg relay box, alarm unit, etc, then just get some plastic bags and cover them.

I reccomend covering alarm units.