MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: Pesky jones on March 31, 2015, 11:46:38 am

Title: Engine bay clean
Post by: Pesky jones on March 31, 2015, 11:46:38 am

I searched from some other topics, and they helped but still have a few questions.

I can't see a way of avoiding using water and APC to scrub the engine, do you just have to be careful not to use too much water in regard to electrics? There seems to be quite a bit of exposed electrical wire about the engine

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: bigeyd on March 31, 2015, 12:14:28 pm

I put plastic over my induction and was careful around electrics

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvrsexy%2FBig_Ed%2FImage1391969328776_zps1788a2ed.jpg&hash=4b0ec814b768c65590256895272230d95904c87d)

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: Pesky jones on March 31, 2015, 12:32:38 pm

I Don't have an induction kit on mine, so I should just be carefull with the electrics I guess. Just squeeze the sponge out before I take it to the engine so it doesn't leak water as such...

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: lukemk5gti on March 31, 2015, 02:11:16 pm

I taped up electrical parts and open valves and power hosed very carefully.

Dried immediately afterwards too.

Unless you're very comfortable doing so then don't risk it.

Sponge, APC and brush.

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: Pesky jones on March 31, 2015, 02:16:40 pm

Quote from: lukemk5gti on March 31, 2015, 02:11:16 pm

Sponge, APC and brush.

Thanks Luke, will do!

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: dansmith180 on March 31, 2015, 02:18:09 pm

They're not really that delicate, warm the engine up, rinse with APC, brush it and then jetwash off, then leave for 10 mins and start it up and let it run for a bit.

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: xjay1337 on March 31, 2015, 02:18:26 pm

There is absolutely nothing to worry about cleaning modern engine bays.
If the battery or air filter element is exposed then we cover those off but if it's a normal Mk5 engine with covers on everything we leave them running then clean them and have never had a single issue at all.

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: Pesky jones on March 31, 2015, 02:24:39 pm

can someone recommend an APC I can buy in a store?

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: lukemk5gti on March 31, 2015, 03:18:30 pm

I use chemical guys APC and citrus pre clean

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: Horatio on April 01, 2015, 09:33:52 am

Supermarket own brand is just as good and costs pennies!

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: JUNNYAK47 on April 02, 2015, 08:24:42 am

What about steam cleaning engine bays? a lot less water imo

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: xjay1337 on April 02, 2015, 03:02:46 pm

Fine to do that too.

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: Panthera on April 03, 2015, 03:54:53 pm

When I do mine, I get a supermarket shopping/carrier bag to cover the alternator, then using the PW to quickly wet the bay. Then spray with a Megs bottle with foaming head filled with a degreaser like R222 Total Auto Wash and agitate areas with various brushes, then wash off being carefull to to 'flood' the engine bay.  Dry using MF towels.  Leave and continue to clean/detail the rest of the car, buy which time the bay should be nice and dry if it is a warm day.  Then using your engine dressing product of choice - 303 Aerospace dress rubbers, plastics etc, then leave. 

Title: Re: Engine bay clean
Post by: Jack_gti on April 06, 2015, 07:54:04 pm

Nothing better than a clean engine bay