cleaning my engine (big pic)

[Dizzie]

so far I've just put some GUNK on and let it dry. What's the next thing to do to get my gearbox and block even cleaner?

I know I missed a few spots with the gunk, but it was windy and I was getting annoyed at the time, but it's a lot cleaner than it was.

Any ideas? my dad said alloy wheel cleaner, but don't leave it on for too long as it eats the metal to leave it really clean.

cheers guys.
a new rocket cover and cam cover are on the cards too btw.

[Blue MK2]

I used Diesel fuel on the metal parts with an old tooth brush . came out quite clean. Keep it away from any rubber or plastics though!

[Ant]

I like the can of red-bull, does it help it fly  

[AdamB]

Do you havea bigger picture? I can't quite get all the detail on that one

[Dizzie]

no sorry. only a 2.3 mega pixal cam  

will be cleaning more tomorrow.
I found an old pic of my engine and it's filthy compared to now

[tinman]

never looked in an 8v engine bay before - its a bit sort of like - empty isn't it? are you sure its all there? i opened the bonnet of the Nissan we're taking on the Banger Rally - swear someone has nicked everything.

the bit that annoys us are the fittings on the injector unit on the left. i beleive they use plating which comes off after a few years. i'll be revisiting the engine bay on stage3 of my rebuild and that will definitely be made nice.

Tin

[modulater]

I swear by jizer engine cleaner and it always works wonders getting the sh!te off the engine.

[hummer]

Steam cleaning is a good way to start, although best to use main dealers coz, ya dont want sum geezer soaking the leky stuff n dist gear!
I did it to my 8v and it looks ace, cost ?25 at my local vw dealer, and took bout 25mins max. Gunk alone will cost near on ?10, so do a bit of both id say. It will make the engine finish last longer in time to come, and prevents rust as much as anything, not to mention a luvly looking bit of engine!!

[Ant]

I vaguly remember reading somewhere that when the main dealers do this, they leave a coating of something which helps prevent rust, etc. Wish I could remember where I saw it.

[kniterider]

when i used to work as a valeter at a local vauxhall garage we used to degrease then steam clean then bang this other stuff on the engine to keep its sheen will have a word with laddo who still works there and get the name of the stuff it used to work a treat