Basic safe to the engine cleaning/detailing

[JDM82]

OK my new cars engine is filthy, its a Audi A4 so as you will probably know its a enclosed engine. In enclosed I mean its all covered by plastic but it still needs sorting so whats the best and safest to engines product to use?

I have a tin of GUNK but that says to brush on and hose off..............Surely putting a hose to a engine isn't good?

[JDM82]

I'll just go with meguiars engine clean spray..........

[Rhyso]

Autoglym Motorcycle cleaner

Spray on and agitate with brushes then jetwash off - just be careful not to point directly at anything electrical

Spray Autoglym Vinyl & Trim Care (or whatever its called) on the plastics and leave to dry

Simples 

[Tazzy]

surely not a jet wash? maybe a steam cleaner? the meguiars engine cleaner is good, on rubbers, like pipes, ive used wd40

[Rhyso]

surely not a jet wash? maybe a steam cleaner? the meguiars engine cleaner is good, on rubbers, like pipes, ive used wd40

Pressure washer / hose? Why not?? Done mine several times but then a diesel is a bit more resilient to water than petrol 

Like I said cover any sensitive electrics and don't point the hose at them for more than a couple of seconds

[S4twiggy]

G101 or a TFR will clean the bay of your car mate. spray on leave to dwell for 5 mins then spray again and agitate with a brush then hose/pressure wash off. its pretty safe as you only need to spray the engine from a distance 2-3ft to remove the cleaner.

AG vinyl and bumper care or 303 aero protectant are good to give it a spruce but i use my own methods which work very well

[Ninj]

How bad is bad?  Is it lots of light muck or thicker oily stuff thats been there for yonks?

Gunk type degreasers do work but they stink for ages afterwards and unless it's horrendously thick I'd just go with G101 and a brush.  To aid it you can carefully use a jet wash at the garage on a hot setting (unless you have a hot PW at home) but be very conservative with where you squirt it avoiding electric plugs, air filters etc or stick a bag over them.  The heat certainly helps (my sump was pretty bad but came up a with the jet wash) and removes it rather than spread it round (your drive included!) but just watch what your'e doing.

**edit** just to add, I've pressure washed my Mk3 a couple of times and would say it seems prone to getting water where it shouldn't.  Keep the engine running as you do it and it'll be drying itself as it goes and alert you as soon as you get carried away.  Otherwise you run the risk of loooking like a wally when it won't start < previous  :embarassed: