Cleaning Engine Bay?

[Eliganza 2]

I'm currently restoring my 205, and it looks pretty tidy on the exterior, but the engine bay looks a bit tired. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to clean it and spruce it up a bit? Are there any OE battery covers etc I could use? thanks

[GLPoomobile 958]

The problem is, if you start fitting nice shiny new things it never really looks right. It's all or nothing if you know what I mean. So I'd just start off by giving it a clean up in general. Then make sure wiring and pipework is nice and tidy. Treat any rust etc.

 

But if you do want some nice new bits, 3 objects that make a big difference (yet so often overlooked) are the washer bottle (get a new blue cap to go on it at the same time), coolant expansion tank, and brake fluid reservoir. All of them are surprisingly cheap brand new from the dealer.

 

Battery covers look uber gash. As do a lot of other tarty bits. Better to try and keep it OE looking, clean and tidy IMO. Oh, you could also get the various brackets and bolts etc zinc plated. I don't think it costs much to be done as a batch job.

 

Edit - didn't notice you said OE battery covers. I thought you might have been talking about the awful ones you see on eBay. The 205 didn't come with a battery cover, but you could use a battery box off a 306 instead.

Edited November 25, 2009 by GLPoomobile

[davey sprocket 14]

the engine bay looks a bit tired. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to clean it and spruce it up a bit?

 

Autoglym engine and machine cleaner..... Good stuff!

[lagonda 42]

I find Swarfega hand cleanser...the green stuff....good for cleaning engine bay/parts....it's not so good on heavy or burnt-on deposits, which Gunk etc shifts, but I find Gunk-type cleaners remove the oil, but not the dirt, whereas Swarfega removes both oil & dirt.

[Galifrey 1]

If you decide to have a chemical steam clean, beware of electrical gremlins.

 

It will do the best job tho.

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

Get some Autosmart G101. Trust me, this stuff is incredible!

 

I used it for everything. It will clean a stain out of your carpet just as well as it will clean your engine bay.

 

Its not cheap, but it is VERY VERY good.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

I was going to use a degreaser and high pressure air gun thing, then jet wash the engine bay.

 

Obviously bag up the carb, dizzy and any electric bits.

 

Cheers, Ali

[Eliganza 2]

Ah cheers guys, yeah I think I will have to invest in some degreasers and give it a good clean

[mr_exe 1]

A vote for some Jizer if only for the name and then a bit of Karcher action.