Cleaning under the bonnet

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Jimothy
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Cleaning under the bonnet

Post by Jimothy »

Hi all,

the van needs a few things doing to it (filter changes, fluids renewing, that kind of thing) but under the bonnet is filthy, and I'm just wondering what the best way of cleaning all those nooks and crannies is so as to avoid contamination whilst carrying out servicing.

cheers,
Jim
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Post by addo »

Can you get a pump spray bottle from Wurth (the bottle with solvent proof seals, not the degreaser pump bottle), and a litre of brake cleaner? Lay old newspaper underneath while you do this, and avoid risk of fire - brake cleaner is quite flammable.

Brake cleaner will remove the loose soot and oil/grease while evaporating fast. Afterwards, you might use regular water-soluble degreaser - but be sure to (a.) wash it off fully and (b.) keep it out of spark plug wells, distributor caps, alternator bodies etc.
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Post by red_dwarfers »

Thruppy had some sort of solution to get off the grime and stuff. Can't quite remember what it was.
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Post by myglaren »

Can't see a solution in Thruppy's posts but Paraffin/White Spirit would and does work.
Steam clean maybe - OK on a hot engine with the electronics protected.
As long as it is a steam clean and not a jetwash :(
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Post by red_dwarfers »

He told me about it at the Stratford rally.
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Jimothy
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Post by Jimothy »

myglaren wrote:Paraffin/White Spirit would and does work.
Is that safe to use near rubber tubes etc.? i know some solvents are liable to make such materials brittle...
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Post by myglaren »

Jimothy wrote:
myglaren wrote:Paraffin/White Spirit would and does work.
Is that safe to use near rubber tubes etc.? i know some solvents are liable to make such materials brittle...
In the short term, yes. As long as they are wiped down they should be fine.
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Post by evilally »

I've used Autoglym Machine Cleaner in the past with good results. Cover any electrical items, alternator etc with a plastic bag. Work in a small area at a time. Apply machine cleaner liberally and leave it to soak for a few minutes. Agitate with the brush and then rinse with the skooshy bottle. It's also safe to use on all materials under the bonnet.
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Post by vince »

Jim, short of buying anything fancy for the task...get 2 rags...one wet and one dry. scrub with the wet one and then dry with the dry one. Once youve got round everywhere then clean up the plastics with
£2.50 tyre shine from Tesco and your done :wink:

Wont be mint but will be alot cleaner :wink:
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Post by Brigsygtt »

Any water based cleaner/degreaser will do, fine brush to work it in, hose off as necessary. Keep away from electrics/airbox.
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