How to Clean the Engine Bay?

khan_sultan · 8th September 2007, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajayclicks

Auto, Any idea where we can get this steam cleaning done in bangalore, and approx costs for the same?

Ajay

On hosur road -- just before audgudi signal [if you are coming from city towards Silk board] there is a Gokul car wash on the left hand side.

Charges 200 bucks for a complete car wash + internal vaccuum. He also uses kerosene/diesel spray for the engine bay.

Cheers,
-SK

gd1418 · 8th September 2007, 11:05

Here in India, steam clean is a word that none would have heard of...

Quote:

Originally Posted by traman

Steam cleaning is the method that most professional workshops would use to clean your bay. Its hot steam that essentially cleanses most of your parts. High pressure water would ruin your coilpacks and thats not a pretty thing to happen. Ask around for someone who can perform a steam clean and you should be just fine. That might cost you quite a bit though.

filcord · 14th September 2007, 06:26

By the way, the Maruti website ( I think it's the FAQ) cautions that MPFI cars should not have their engine bays washed with a pressure was, apparently since there a many water-sensitive components.

lambuhere1 · 14th September 2007, 11:31

Speaking of engine bay, I saw a bit of RUST on the Engine supports. Is it normal ? I know that theres no water going from the top. Is it due to that fact that water / rain drops entereed through the grill ? Any idea how can we make sure that it doesnt rust again ?

kapilsharma80 · 14th September 2007, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by lambuhere1

Speaking of engine bay, I saw a bit of RUST on the Engine supports. Is it normal ? I know that theres no water going from the top. Is it due to that fact that water / rain drops entereed through the grill ? Any idea how can we make sure that it doesnt rust again ?

It is normal but make sure that the areas covered with rust ain't flaking.

You can use SONAX RustConverter&Primer. For further details please log on to Products :: Exterior, Paintwork and Chrome :: SONAX RustConverter&Primer :: 311200 :: SONAX

Please check with a methods dealer Methods - Methods Dealers for their availability.

Let me know in case you have problems getting the product, i can speak to a methods dealer at Chandigarh and arrange for the same.

Guys, any idea about 'compressed air cans available in the market'?

ajayclicks · 17th September 2007, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

On hosur road -- just before audgudi signal [if you are coming from city towards Silk board] there is a Gokul car wash on the left hand side.

Charges 200 bucks for a complete car wash + internal vaccuum. He also uses kerosene/diesel spray for the engine bay.

Cheers,
-SK

Hi SK,

Does he do "steam wash"

doctorkats · 18th September 2007, 01:52

At Tata Service Stations they hose down the engine bay with a high pressure jet of water after carefully covering the air intake and the horn siren with a polythene sheet.
Compressed air follows and is blown meticulously to remove any visible residual water.
No kerosene/diesel/engine oil has ever been used to clean the bay of my Safari.
However, the mechs tell me they are extremely vary of hosing down a CNG vehicle,so they simply sponge it with soap solution and clean with a damp cloth.

mithun · 3rd September 2009, 10:32

Anyone used this ?

HOEC BARDAHL INDIA LTD.

What's your opinion ?

beejay · 3rd September 2009, 10:39

Manually cleaning the engine bay with kerosene is the best bet.Kerosene is a good deterrent against snakes too.

Sticking to this after the snake came visiting.

prince_pervez · 3rd September 2009, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

On hosur road -- just before audgudi signal [if you are coming from city towards Silk board] there is a Gokul car wash on the left hand side.

Charges 200 bucks for a complete car wash + internal vaccuum. He also uses kerosene/diesel spray for the engine bay.

Cheers,
-SK

I did not get this location. Is this before the approach towards the Dairy circle flyover from say Lalbaug gardens ? Please shed some light on this. Anyone ?

Gansan · 26th May 2010, 14:04

Reviving this old thread for a clarification:

I got a free wheel rotation/alignment and water wash for my Alto from MSM recently, for renewing my insurance through them. I had driven about 15 KM to reach the workshop, and it was taken inside for the alignment/balancing/rotation an hour later. The wheel job must have taken another hour, after which the SA took me for a test ride in the car for a couple of KM. He pronounced it OK and then left the car for washing, and I went to the lobby.

When the car was delivered to me a little later, I noticed the engine bay also had been washed clean. I am now worried that the bay may have been washed when the engine was still hot. The engine usually reaches operating temperature very quickly, within a couple of KM.

Could it have caused any damage to the engine? How do I find out? The SA said it is not a problem and will not cause any issues.

This was 10 days ago, and car has been running fine since then.

SirAlec · 26th May 2010, 19:22

Its not a problem, How do you think the car works in places where there are extreme rains.

Arvind6488 · 17th July 2013, 22:28

Hi Guru's,

As the monsoon season is about to start with a bit of shower every now and then in Chennai, I thought this would be the right time to bring up this thread back into Active mode.

The recent rains in Chennai has really accumulated a lot of mud and dust in the Engine bay area of my car. I keep cleaning the engine bay with water (occasionally mixed with Kerosene) and cloth. However, with so many latest products into the market I thought of checking with you all whether if anyone is using any branded products that are available specific for this purpose.

SunnyBoi · 17th July 2013, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arvind6488

I keep cleaning the engine bay with water (occasionally mixed with Kerosene) and cloth. However, with so many latest products into the market I thought of checking with you all whether if anyone is using any branded products that are available specific for this purpose.

Get Meguiars Super Degreaser for cleaning the engine bay along with a few brushed and Meguiars Hyperdresser to shine the engine. Use the recommended dilution ratios.

Ray32825 · 13th July 2014, 19:03

Engine washed and dressed a bit

(plastic engine cover is in the trunk for now)

14th September 2007, 06:26	#33
filcord BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: goa Posts: 996 Thanked: 67 Times	By the way, the Maruti website ( I think it's the FAQ) cautions that MPFI cars should not have their engine bays washed with a pressure was, apparently since there a many water-sensitive components.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 11:31	#34
lambuhere1 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: @ Driver's Seat @ Posts: 708 Thanked: 106 Times	Speaking of engine bay, I saw a bit of RUST on the Engine supports. Is it normal ? I know that theres no water going from the top. Is it due to that fact that water / rain drops entereed through the grill ? Any idea how can we make sure that it doesnt rust again ?
	() Thanks

18th September 2007, 01:52	#37
doctorkats BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Noida Posts: 315 Thanked: 2 Times	At Tata Service Stations they hose down the engine bay with a high pressure jet of water after carefully covering the air intake and the horn siren with a polythene sheet. Compressed air follows and is blown meticulously to remove any visible residual water. No kerosene/diesel/engine oil has ever been used to clean the bay of my Safari. However, the mechs tell me they are extremely vary of hosing down a CNG vehicle,so they simply sponge it with soap solution and clean with a damp cloth.
	() Thanks

3rd September 2009, 10:32	#38
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Anyone used this ? HOEC BARDAHL INDIA LTD. What's your opinion ?
	() Thanks

3rd September 2009, 10:39	#39
beejay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 1,963 Thanked: 204 Times View My Garage	Manually cleaning the engine bay with kerosene is the best bet.Kerosene is a good deterrent against snakes too. Sticking to this after the snake came visiting.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 14:04	#41
Gansan Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,534 Thanked: 5,544 Times	Reviving this old thread for a clarification: I got a free wheel rotation/alignment and water wash for my Alto from MSM recently, for renewing my insurance through them. I had driven about 15 KM to reach the workshop, and it was taken inside for the alignment/balancing/rotation an hour later. The wheel job must have taken another hour, after which the SA took me for a test ride in the car for a couple of KM. He pronounced it OK and then left the car for washing, and I went to the lobby. When the car was delivered to me a little later, I noticed the engine bay also had been washed clean. I am now worried that the bay may have been washed when the engine was still hot. The engine usually reaches operating temperature very quickly, within a couple of KM. Could it have caused any damage to the engine? How do I find out? The SA said it is not a problem and will not cause any issues. This was 10 days ago, and car has been running fine since then.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 19:22	#42
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	Its not a problem, How do you think the car works in places where there are extreme rains.
	() Thanks

17th July 2013, 22:28	#43
Arvind6488 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Chennai Posts: 45 Thanked: 12 Times	re: How to Clean the Engine Bay? Hi Guru's, As the monsoon season is about to start with a bit of shower every now and then in Chennai, I thought this would be the right time to bring up this thread back into Active mode. The recent rains in Chennai has really accumulated a lot of mud and dust in the Engine bay area of my car. I keep cleaning the engine bay with water (occasionally mixed with Kerosene) and cloth. However, with so many latest products into the market I thought of checking with you all whether if anyone is using any branded products that are available specific for this purpose.
	() Thanks

13th July 2014, 19:03	#45
Ray32825 BHPian Join Date: May 2014 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 101 Thanked: 68 Times	re: How to Clean the Engine Bay? Engine washed and dressed a bit (plastic engine cover is in the trunk for now) Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks