Where to clean the engine bay

[PEC]

Dear All,

I am unable to find a web link which would help me answer the following question.

While you can find all sorts of advice to clean your engine bay for any type of car, no one tells you where you should be doing that in the UK.

I went recently to a self jet wash centre and was told that the power of their jet wash was too high not to risk damaging parts. I thought I could do the cleaning myself. Doing it in my driveway is not very encouraging from a pollution perspective because all the grease would go first in my driveway then in the street. Can anyone suggest a place where it could be done by oneself but with the minimal pollution to the local environment?

 

Thank you

[SM25T]

I wouldn't recommend any sort of jet wash or pressure wash on the engine of any car. Too big a risk of water entering electrical connectors or components with the risk of future corrosion.

[East Kent AR]

Completely agree with Ian. Don't do it with a high pressure jet.

Piers

[mph]

It's doable…

.

[SM25T]

I don't care what CCG says or does in an internet video. ... don't do it !

[Amos91]

I have in the past quite happily jetwashed the inside of the sills around the engine, radiator etc. I'd avoid the engine directly on these as they don't appear as well sealed up in terms of connectors compared to more main stream cars. Plus the ECU is pretty exposed.

For the daily 3 series I happily jetwash fully around the engine bay (excluding alternator and fusebox) but with the engine running it's always been fine. 

[Jonathan Kay]

"I thought I could do the cleaning myself. Doing it in my driveway is not very encouraging from a pollution perspective because all the grease would go first in my driveway then in the street. Can anyone suggest a place where it could be done by oneself but with the minimal pollution to the local environment?"

If you're not going to collect and treat the effluent then I'd guess that the least worst solution would be something like:

1. Wipe away as much oil and grease as possible and dispose appropriately at local centre.
2. Low salt biodegradable detergent and as little as possible. (Many people use much more than is needed for many purposes.)
3. On your own grass to allow some degradation before it gets into the public system.

Jonathan

[Beagler]

I cringed when watching the guy powerwashing under the bonnet. Rather him than me. I have used a spray of GT85 and a  brush to clean under the bonnet. Dont use WD40 as its not good for plastic.

[Jonathan Kay]

I'd use a detergent rather than a solvent. And I wouldn't use GT85 because of the unnecessary added plastic particles.

Jonathan

[Beagler]

GT85 has a PTFE formula and is a versatiile moisture dispersant from surfaces and electrical systems. It also states a fast acting cleaner. I prefer it to other moisture dispersant and it can be freely applied although not to braking systems surfaces. It doesnt seem to attract dirt as WD40 did.

[aerobod - near CYYC]

I wouldn't jet wash the engine bay of the Caterham due to limited electrical plug sealing, but modern tin tops shouldn't be a problem. I've jet washed the engine bay of any car I've owned over the past 25 years, keeping the spray nozzle 30cm or more away from components and keeping it moving. Never had an issue with BMW, VW, Porsche, Subaru, Nissan, Honda vehicles we have owned, with it being doing about once a month on each vehicle owned at the time. Leads to a pristine looking engine bay after years of ownership.

This is what an engine bay looks like after 6 years of use without doing anything other than a monthly jet wash:

[Jonathan Kay]

Is that water only?

Thanks

Jonathan

[7 wonders of the world]

This:

https://www.hopetech.com/products/accessories/hope-shifter/hope-shifter/

use a brush to agitate on stubborn bits then a gentle rise afterwards

[Q Catcher]

^ Great info, thank you.

[aerobod - near CYYC]

Re #12, Hi Jonathan, that is just using the same as would be used on the outside paint work, hot water soap spray followed by cold water rinse.

[Jonathan Kay]

Thanks

Jonathan