DIY- Cleaning Engine Bay

[huzidada]

Hey guys. Searched for DIY and never found one, so I decided
to do my own. I hope it helps you guys.

Please note, this is the procedure I used. It works for me. In no way am I responsible
for any damage that you may cause( not that you will, and Im hidden in the smallest
country in Africa!!)
Please READ ALL instructions on cleaners before you use them, and check that they
are engine friendly.
This is also a perfect time to check for loose hoses, any leaks, tighten all clamps,
luve the DV, clean flat panel and put everything neatly back in place. If you are doing the
DIY-Engine bay cleanup SAI etc., an engine wash is the perfect thing to do right after.
Please correct me if Im wrong in any way. Im doing this from the goodness of my heart
for the newbs especially.

PS( I dont care what cleaners are better. Im in Swaziland, this is the best I could purchase
over here))

1. One or two able bodies for the job!

2. You will need
- Rag/cloth, sponge and steel wool
- Paint brush (new)
- Star screwdriver and spanner
- Some form of plastic cleaner
- Enigine wash (I used castrol)
- Electrical Contact cleaner( for PC use etc)
- Something to smoke or chew on
- Aluminium foil

3. Start by covering all electricals. Normally your engine will be waterproof, but hey,
who wants to take a chance. I found aluminium foil the best to use.

4. Start the engine, and let the car warm up a bit. The photo shows ideal temperature.
General rule of thumb, if you touch engine and its not hot enough to say "ouch" then
the temperature is okay.

5. Once engine is warm, switch off. Remove negative battery terminal.

6. Remove engine covers. Spray your engine cleaner on places needing to be cleaned, and let it
soak in for a while( read instructions on cleaner).

7. Now that cleaner has soaked in on grime its time to remove grime. For general blaces use
the paint brush and rag to clean. For in betweens and hard to reach places, I put a thin wire
with a rag covering and cleaned these places.

8. Once all the grime is removed, its time to wash off your engine cleaner/grime remains.
Lot of people will rush to use pressure hose, but i reccomend a nice, easy flow from
a normal hose. (you might notice your plumbing has white spots from cleaner. Dont worry
about that)

9. My blower broke out on me so I used sun power!! Its 34 degrees celsius today, so
it was quite a fast process. I used a rag to remove water that sat/remained in grooves.

10. While waiting, i decided to get some steel wool and metal polish to clean intake manifold
etc..

11. When engine is dry(or relatively dry) use a dry cloth to wipe foil around the engine
electronics to remove any water, and then remove the foil. Leave to drive out nicely.

12. Once you sure the engine is completely dry, clean the sensors out with contact
cleaner. It cleans the sensors, and displaces moisture. Please make sure its user
friendly with electronics. Generally computer stores sell the best ones(here anyway!!)

13. Last but not least, use a plastic polisher/cleaner of your choice to clean and add
shine to all hoses, covers etc. Do the rain cover as well. Try to use a silicone free
spray beacuse a) it collects dust super fast and b) it gets a bit hard on the
hoses and may cause them to crack( easy boost leak!!!)
Dont forget to check engine for any tools/foil you could have left over. Replace engine covers
and the negative battery terminal. Switch car on, and let idle for ten minutes. You
should be able to know by hearing, for any misfires etc for water that could have seeped in(a
bit impossible if covered correctly but possible non the less). Easy option would be to
run a quick Vag.Com

Admire your beautifil work. Please excuse my engine cover, I stupidly scratched it
in the process.

[stevemannn]

nice car

[Boostin20v]

Nicely done, added thread to FAQ

[Jetta4Life]

looks good! like the bumper, who makes it?

[huzidada]

Thanks so much you guys

[SoFloGLI]

CaMALE toe!

[stevemannn]

AHAHAHAHA
that is so worth being ressurected lol

[jetta PWR]

looks nice

[l88m22vette]

What front bumper is that? It looks badass

[builtvw]

wow we came a long way from 08 cause im pretty sure this car would be getting a lot of hate in these days

[ldaledub]

haha

[fosterfobag]

Wow

[fosterfobag]

Actually I'm pretty grossed out.

A) Lower
B) What the f^$# front bumper is that?
C) Door Handles
D) Chrome wheels ain't working.

but hey, it's not my car.

[PoLock33]

Actually I'm pretty grossed out.

but hey, it's not my car.

Amen....

[GTIRACER2.0t]

Amen....

Clean engine..Those wheels and bumper offended me.

[PoLock33]

wow we came a long way from 08 cause im pretty sure this car would be getting a lot of hate in these days

[desertdubs_C]

wow we came a long way from 08 cause im pretty sure this car would be getting a lot of hate in these days

^This.
No joke...a little stomach acid came up when I saw this car. I appreciate how the owner took the time to detail the engine bay. However, this does not take away from the fact I nearly spit up what food I had in my belly. An overall rating of 2 and a

[builtvw]

exactly my point lmao

[lorge1989]

Actually I'm pretty grossed out.

A) Lower
B) What the f^$# front bumper is that?
C) Door Handles
D) Chrome wheels ain't working.

but hey, it's not my car.

^This.
No joke...a little stomach acid came up when I saw this car. I appreciate how the owner took the time to detail the engine bay. However, this does not take away from the fact I nearly spit up what food I had in my belly. An overall rating of 2 and a

Go back to the emkayfour forums.

When I clean my bay I find it easier just to take the coilpacks out with wiring just to make sure I don't get any water in there. Just makes the job a lot easier and gives me piece of mind.

Good write up non the less.

[builtvw]

im thinking they made a hot wheels car of it

[fosterfobag]

I saw a pretty sweet honda today.....

[wagner17]

thread is mad old lol.. but yea you two are right