I have owned my '90 Westy since new, so I have been able to keep the engine bay from
getting too cruddy. I clean it at home, with a garden hose connected to the laundry
tub in the garage so I can use hot water. Also helps to have the engine warm or hot
also. I cover the alternator and dist. with plastic, taping it around with masking
tape. Spray any really greasy spots with Gunk or Simple Green concentrated.
Combination of hot engine and hot water seems to keep moisture out of vulnerable
spots, but obviously, move fast and avoid excess water. I chase out the excess water
with the air from the discharge side of a vacuum cleaner, remove the plastic and start
the engine as soon as possible. Never had a problem.
Sometime when the engine is clean and dry, you can use liquid electrical tape to seal
the ends of the wiring sleeves to keep water out of them.
As a subsequent reply mentioned, cover the back seat and area around the bay or have
rags handy to wipe the area down.
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "Al Ferguson" <al_ferguson01@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 10:56 PM
Subject: Cleaning the engine bay...

> Hi All,
> Just got my new (to me) '89 Syncro camper. the first
> thing I want to do is clean the heck out of it. it
> isn't in bad shape but hey, detail it from the start,
> right!
> Anyway - question about cleaning the engine bay.
> This engine is really coated with road grime and dust.
> yes, I know if I clean it, it will get dirty again
> but. I gotta do it.
> The local car wash has a engine cleaner setting. it
> sprays some degreaser, then you're supposed to wash
> the out side of the car while the engine soaks, then
> spray the engine bay with low pressure water to rinse
> off the gunk. I use it on my other cars (Toyota and
> Subaru) just fine every spring but anyone offer any
> warnings or cautions (I know ~ use LOW pressure).
> Anything, like vulnerable wiring/connections/computers
> that I should avoid? Their location in the engine
> bay.?
> Alternate method to clean the engine bay?
> Thanks,
> Al
>
>
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