New products = New way to clean engine bay?

C

cptzippy

New member
Been doing an engine bay cleaning pretty close to the way many prescibe on here - APC followed by a spray off. With the 'new' old Jag with an apparently finicky engine bay, I'm thinking of less invasive ways of cleaning. Many I've encountered on the Jag forums think it is insane to wash as I (and many of us) have or in general at all. The large number of 'cleaned engine and now it won't start' threads make me a little nervous as well.



Here's what I'm thinking, with all the waterless and ONR alternatives, is there a way to clean the engine bay without the hose that will still be effective?
 
eptzippy:

It's the Lucas electricals in the engine bay that are "finicky". They don't get along with water. Ask anyone who's had an older English-made car.

You can try covering them with heavy aluminum foil, since it "molds"/conforms" around the shape of the component, but I would be hesitant about spraying water into an engine bay on an older English car.



Why do the English drink warm ale? (beer to us 'Yanks) Because their refrigerators are made by Lucas.
 
ONR works surprisingly well in the engine bay. Thick oil/grease will have to be dealt with by using something stronger.
 
yakky said:
ONR works surprisingly well in the engine bay. Thick oil/grease will have to be dealt with by using something stronger.
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I was thinking about spraying with APC and then going over with ONR - think that would work with a minimal amount of water?
 
Maybe Optimum Power Clean Sprayed on 3:1, then agitated very well, then ONR using a demoted microfiber and 2 bucket method.
 
Zippy, I'll make two suggestions. The first is to clean often. The second would be to use something like HD Total Automotive Degreaser & Soil Remover (I'm making the assumption that one can still buy this product). I've had really good luck with it and it does not need to be rinsed off. It leaves a nice, light patina and does not attract new crap. It will do some moderate amount of de-greasing. I don't think you are going to clean up years of neglect and leaks with it.



While I'm a huge fan of light-duty power washing of engine bays, I can understand your reservations to do so on this car and I'd probably avoid it too. So, clean often and keep it looking its best!



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cptzippy said:
I was thinking about spraying with APC and then going over with ONR - think that would work with a minimal amount of water?
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I've done fine with just pre-soaking using ONR. The only gotcha is heavy grease, that needs a dedicated de-greaser, but ONR for me has done an amazing job at getting of grime. It does however trash whatever rags you are using.
 
It seems to me that the more sensors and electronics there are under the hoods of modern cars, the more problems there are with power washing under the hood. Even my old '97 Lexus LS400 had plenty of problems with that--I don't even want to know what would happen to my '06 Jaguar XJ!
 
Lonnie said:
eptzippy:

It's the Lucas electricals in the engine bay that are "finicky". They don't get along with water. Ask anyone who's had an older English-made car.

You can try covering them....
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I do a lot of my XJS engine cleaning with solvents; they evaporate "clean". If I can't "spot rinse", like by wiping with a damp cloth/swab/etc. then I start thinking about the solvent approach.



Don't use flamable brake cleaner, a member here once set her XJ6C on fire that way. Be a little careful about this period since most all solvents are flamable, but some are safer in this regard than others.



Nothing wrong with ONR or QDs, but for the intitial cleanup you might need something more potent.



Be a little careful with steam as it's still water.
 
Accumulator said:
Don't use flamable brake cleaner, a member here once set her XJ6C on fire that way. Be a little careful about this period since most all solvents are flamable, but some are safer in this regard than others.
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OMG :shocked That was Lynn IIRC, right?





Once you have all the grease and oily grime cleaned up under the hood, you can routinely touch it up using Swiffer dusters. Once at every car wash or more often ought to keep it looking great.
 
I had to pay a 635 dollar bill on one of those damn Jags! I didn't even use water! I used APC and a steamer. I guess that was enough moisture to dappen a few spark plugs and create a missfire! But since the plugs sit in a spot that are not easy to access it not that simple to dry out! But this bay was so freakin dirty! But I would strongly suggest using the least amount of water as possible. I always try to avoid the PW and reach for the steamerm
 
All the years I nationally campaigned Jags I never used water. Aluminum polish, brake cleaner spray, Acrysol and medical swabs. And lots of elbow grease!



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Brad B. said:
... brake cleaner spray...
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Some of those are safer than others, huh?



Oh, and it wsa nice to see that XK engine compartment again! Do you keep in touch with the new owner? I'm wondering if it's still doing the Concours thing....
 
I wouldn't pressure wash one of them old jag motors if my life depended on it. Those cars are electical nightmares by them selves. Adding any water is a big No No. Your looking for problems! Wd-40 and such cleaners are very flamible. Thats a bad idea as well. I once had great success with brake parts cleaner, But Im not recomending that either! Expensive way to go as well, but it evaporates rather quickly.
 
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