Engine Cleaning

[Jacko]

Hi people,

can enyone let me know if they have cleaned their engines yet and if so what bits did they cover up before hosing down?

Thanks

Jacko

[petecrosby]

Yes and none. I generally just go at it with what's left in the bucket after washing the car and use a long bristle brush. I then just hose it off, crank it, and warm it up so it will dry off.

[obehave]

Good way to test for bad spark plug wires and connections

I'm a bit careful around the ECU but that's about it. I use flowing water and not a pressure spray. No problems.

[pocketrocketowner]

Moi I use degreaser (Supergreen), let it soak, blast it with high pressure, fire it and let it idle for 15 minutes. THEN i shut it off and manually wipe all surfaces and then use armor all on all the plastic bits.

[ScottishMini]

I am planning on using degreaser and washing off with a ordinary hose.
Anyone see any probs arising?

[pocketrocketowner]

Just make sure you fire it afterwrds and let it idle til it dries......if it does not want to start (rare occurrence) then spray WD-40 all over the spark plug wires and inside the distributor cap.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottishMini

I am planning on using degreaser and washing off with a ordinary hose.
Anyone see any probs arising?

Too strong a degreaser can be pretty harsh especially on plastics. If you do use it make sure you treat the plastics after. I use 303 Aerospace. There are other less worthy products

[andyupnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by pocketrocketowner

Just make sure you fire it afterwrds and let it idle til it dries......if it does not want to start (rare occurrence) then spray WD-40 all over the spark plug wires and inside the distributor cap.

Distributor cap? Are you sure?

[Polmear]

Quote: Originally Posted by andyupnorth

Distributor cap? Are you sure?

yeah, sounds weird, but it works. the oil displaces the water, drying the surface.

BTW: WD-40 really stands for 'W'ater 'D'isplacement formula '40'

[petecrosby]

Yeah, that would make sense except for the fact that the MINI doesn't have a distributor cap. At least neither the MC nor the MCS sold in the US have one. Don't know about the MINI-1 or the MINI-D.

[Polmear]

Quote: Originally Posted by petecrosby

Yeah, that would make sense except for the fact that the MINI doesn't have a distributor cap. At least neither the MC nor the MCS sold in the US have one. Don't know about the MINI-1 or the MINI-D.

yea, I didn't even think of the fact that modern electronic ignitions don't need a distributor.

[pocketrocketowner]

when one washes six engines and three of them have distributors one gives advice in general terms. But I stand corrected I should have said ".....spray WD-40 on any and all ignition related components and their associated connections therewith"
Apologies
You can spray WD-40 or a like product into pretty much anything that comes to mind and it will displace the water. Buy y'all know that....

Now....how does one fix a broken battery charger.....takes juice won't charge,,,,,,

[ScottishMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by pocketrocketowner

when one washes six engines and three of them have distributors one gives advice in general terms. But I stand corrected I should have said ".....spray WD-40 on any and all ignition related components and their associated connections therewith"
Apologies
You can spray WD-40 or a like product into pretty much anything that comes to mind and it will displace the water. Buy y'all know that....

Now....how does one fix a broken battery charger.....takes juice won't charge,,,,,,

I apprecaite all the advice given on this thread, Thanks all.
Also, good to know what the WD stands for, mabe come up in a pub quiz and I shall be a saviour !

Thanks again to all

[andyupnorth]

-----> Just spent an hour looking for the distributor cap

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by andyupnorth

-----> Just spent an hour looking for the distributor cap

It's between the flambus and the snickling.
Can't miss it