Looking for a good engine bay cleaner/degreaser

[khawari]

Any products out there that are easy to use myself for the engine bay cleaning of my Audi A4? Either a product that degreases or cleans the engine bay somehow?

I live in Canada so whatever product you suggest I hope I can get here! Maybe even off Amazon. Thanks!

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[Turbo510]

For light films of oil residue or dirt, detergent/water is safest. For heavier layers of greasy grime, a product like GUNK that foams and stays on works pretty well, although an old or dispensable paint brush will be a big help, followed again by soapy water and a water rinse. My problem is going overboard, even using old tooth brushes to get everything reachable. Doing the 'timing belt' job on my 3.0 took twice as long as necessary, due to all the cleaning activity.

[shurur9]

super clean or purple power

[Charles.waite]

I've used Simple Green and sprayed it on a hot engine bay then sprayed it off lightly with a hose sprayer. It works decently enough, but your car smells like Simple Green for days afterwards. Which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your sense of smell.

[EuroxS4]

The best most hazardous stuff is called Greezoff I lover that stuff. it cuts through the toughest stuff if you use it as directed.

[Spike00513]

Might try one of these suggestions. My engine bay looks horrible...

Supposedly after cleaning, an 'engine bay dressing' product (aerosol can?) can make it look good, such as Griot's. Possibly leaving a shiny film.



Problem is, if it's sprayed over dirt, it might look more clean but probably is just shiny dirt.
I suspect that's what used car lots do, buying cheap dirty cars from an auction and trying to make them look nice, including spraying dressing in the engine bay to make it shine like new. But if you swipe your finger on any of the parts, it comes up dirty.

[DarkoNova]

I just used purple power and a pressure washer.

Made the engine bay look brand new.

[Spike00513]

I just used purple power and a pressure washer.

Made the engine bay look brand new.

did you have to mask anything off to protect it from water, such as electronics?
I've heard this is recommended, using plastic bags and tape

[V70R]

Auto Magic Red Hot. Cleans very effectively

[Furly]

Mask or seal off any electrical components and sensors or relays etc.. I had a friend power wash his whole engine and engine bay and the car wouldnt start. Then the next day when it did start it was misfiring like crazy. Connectors can oxidize badly if they get wet. I suggested he clean all his connectors with a wire brush and leave a fan blowing on his engine over the weekend. He did and the car fired right up and was back to normal.

[DarkoNova]

did you have to mask anything off to protect it from water, such as electronics?
I've heard this is recommended, using plastic bags and tape

I didn't cover anything.

I just didn't let the water sit in one spot for too long around electrical connectors or components.

I've done it to two different cars now and neither had any problems afterwards.

[Spike00513]

Mask or seal off any electrical components and sensors or relays etc.. I had a friend power wash his whole engine and engine bay and the car wouldnt start. Then the next day when it did start it was misfiring like crazy. Connectors can oxidize badly if they get wet. I suggested he clean all his connectors with a wire brush and leave a fan blowing on his engine over the weekend. He did and the car fired right up and was back to normal.

Interesting. Not sure if it's time to buy a fan then, and if it has to be a shop one (like Craftsman) which is strong but expensive, or a cheap shit plastic one.

One car wash I know of has compressed air, but it's a drive-thru automated wash, not self-wash.

For light fluid removal, I've used a small $3 can of compressed air for computer keyboard cleaning. Such as if I'm trying to dry out a threaded hole on the car that I sprayed debris out of using brakleen. But that probably wouldn't be enough for an engine bay.

In addition to connectors oxidizing, hopefully they don't wick any moisture up into the harness.

[henri12]

Simple Green works great but don't use it on bare aluminum parts.

[DarkoNova]

I dunno, maybe I just got lucky, but on my Nova I pulled the engine and trans and cleaned the engine bay with purple power and a pressure washer. Didn't cover any of the electrical connectors and I was worried it would be a problem. My friend said it wouldn't and he was right. Put everything back in and it's perfectly fine.

*shrug*

[Spike00513]

on my Nova

gonna need to see some pics of this "Nova" you speak of...

[oaybar007]

This is one of those things that's always made me nervous. I've always just cleaned what I can reach by hand but obviously that's not going to clean it all. I have a pressure washer that is light duty and could probably work, but I'm way too scared to do it. At the same time not doing anything leaves all that road grime on everything and that can't be good either.

[JorisRS6]

If you drive through heavy rain your engine bay gets wet too. All connectors are sealed pretty well. I ve pressure washed my bay of my previous audi and my truck multiple times. I like to do it on a nice day and take the car for a spin right after to dry things out faster


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[Charles.waite]

Getting damp =/= 1500 psi spray directly on exposed seals and connectors...

[Kevin C]

Simple Green works great but don't use it on bare aluminum parts.

Cleaners that are strong bases if left on aluminum will cause corrosion. Its just a matter of not soaking parts in it. Spray it on, let it soak in and rinse it off. I use it on aluminum all the time. There are some cleaners that have corrosion inhibitors that allow you to soak parts, but you they are typically industrial grade used for ultrasonic cleaners.

[khawari]

I was gonna ask same question as some of the guys above, need to cover important parts of engine first no? Before hosing off

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[Spike00513]

This is one of those things that's always made me nervous. I've always just cleaned what I can reach by hand but obviously that's not going to clean it all. I have a pressure washer that is light duty and could probably work, but I'm way too scared to do it. At the same time not doing anything leaves all that road grime on everything and that can't be good either.

I've even seen a steam washer but they're rare
actually that reminds me, I hear more mild versions exist as a tool for professional detailers, that can use it for interiors but it might work on other things like car parts.

So far I only "restored" the hood liner pad (Armor-All Tire Foam, hose water rinse, air dry)
but the engine bay ends up looking like a confusing dirty bird's next for any non-B6'ers curious to see how it looks under the hood, kind of embarrassing when it's not really a part visible anymore, but just 10 years of dirt layered

Saw this video before:

Cleaners that are strong bases if left on aluminum will cause corrosion. Its just a matter of not soaking parts in it. Spray it on, let it soak in and rinse it off. I use it on aluminum all the time. There are some cleaners that have corrosion inhibitors that allow you to soak parts, but you they are typically industrial grade used for ultrasonic cleaners.

idk if it's oxidation or corrosive etching; I think Castrol Super Clean might have this written as a warning on the label for using to clean wheels, that if left to dry in hot sunlight it will mess with the clearcoat, vs. keeping it wet - the reason for using it (at least on wheels) being that it does a good job removing brake dust with an old toothbrush
though the above posts make it sound like some other better products may exist for the engine bay vs. wheel brake dust

[shurur9]

I just use super clean or purple power and rinse it with a garden hose sprayer.
Then I let it dry in the summer heat with the hood open.

I've never had a problem.

[DarkoNova]

gonna need to see some pics of this "Nova" you speak of...

It's still a project but it's a drivable project right now.

But it's not stock, I've got an electric fan and LED projector headlights and stuff and I pressure washed everything. All the connectors were unplugged and just hanging there and then it sat for a few months. Everything still works just fine.

So I dunno, take that with a grain of salt.

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