Cleaning the engine bay

Are there any tips for cleaning/degreasing a landy engine bay? I've just bought a Disco and would like to give it a good going over before I drop it in to Foleys but obviously don't want to steam clean it and create more problems...

Are there some recommended products around?

............ I just spoke to Foleys (very pleasant guy) who recommends brake cleaning fluid or any other spray degreaser, then a power jet spray (being careful to wrap any electric/alternator etc.)

I would buy a bottle of Gunk, its an engine cleaning fluid.

Just found 25ltr of Tetroclean on ebay at £38 inc delivery - it beats £4 a litre at Halfords

I would buy a bottle of Gunk

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Smells good too.

I have a 300tdi ibuy a oven degreaser in a spray bottle Spray allover the complete engine bay leave for 30mins. Start engine and proceed to power wash. works a treat . Have done it on varous vehicles for over 20 years No problems yet. B-B

Auto glim do a machin cleaner, I have found it very good.

bonnybaggot said:

I have a 300tdi ibuy a oven degreaser in a spray bottle Spray allover the complete engine bay leave for 30mins. Start engine and proceed to power wash. works a treat . Have done it on varous vehicles for over 20 years No problems yet. B-B

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the only problem with oven cleaner is that most of them these days contain caustic soda, which, if left on for too long attacks the paint in the engine bay, but as b-b says, its good stuff

i just use the old jet wash near me. 2 quid a go.

Bonneybaggot - fantastic idea! I could have saved myself a few bob..


Are there any specific areas under the bonnet (Battery, alternator etc) that need to be "protected" from a power jet?

Is it safest to have the engine running while spraying with water?

make sure you don't blast the alternator as it sits on the top of the engine, i once had a bright idea of cleaning the alternator whilst jetting the engine and i shouldn't have bothered cos the new one i had to fit afterwards looked just as clean