washing your engine bay is it really safe to do so , and if so what measures do u take to not mess up your engine, ....
Washing your engine bay
gregb
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You should wash your engine regularly, once or twice a year (depending on mileage) it will keep it clean and nice, also it will extends it's life? I guess.
You should do it at a specialized car wash with really HOT water. Special foam to clean it good.
Key is hot water.
Steam cleaning works well too.
You should do it at a specialized car wash with really HOT water. Special foam to clean it good.
Key is hot water.
Steam cleaning works well too.
The first thing they do is put the car onto an elevator, put a white glove and touch the undercarriage. If it's dirty, you failed the MOT check (or what's the name in the US)
Than, they do the same onto the engine, to see if it's really shiny. Than they check the inside, you need to have ti clean also.
Than they go and check the mechanics...
I'm not kidding...
Than, they do the same onto the engine, to see if it's really shiny. Than they check the inside, you need to have ti clean also.
Than they go and check the mechanics...
I'm not kidding...
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That's crazy. I never clean my engine but keep everything else well maintained. I even have part of engine bay rust proofed with oil. The oil gets dust and debris to cling to it. So although my engine is better protected, it is also messier. Glad I am not in Switzerland!
MOTOR WEEK on TV ,(search on there web site) recently had a segment on washing your engine compartment. One reason they claim is oil/grease in compartment gets into electrical connections bringing dirt/moisture and a eventual corroding of the connection.
I get my engine hot and use a 2 gal pump up garden spray that I fill with a strong solution of detergent. Then use the same with rinse water. The engine may be running as I do this.
Never use steam or high pressure water, the electrical connectors can't handle it.
I get my engine hot and use a 2 gal pump up garden spray that I fill with a strong solution of detergent. Then use the same with rinse water. The engine may be running as I do this.
Never use steam or high pressure water, the electrical connectors can't handle it.
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That's harsh. What is the stated reason, and what do you think the real reason for the white glove test is?
How much do shops typically charge for the pre-inspection detailing?
How much does the inspection cost? [edit: link below says Zurich costs CHF 56 and other cantons it could be as high as 150.00 CHF = 162.795 USD]
In the US, the inspections are much less rigorous. Many states don't require inspection. In some places the inspection is for things that affect exhaust emissions only. In some states are performed by the government, and in others a licensed shop does the certification. I have been told that Illinois used to have inspections in Chicago and maybe elsewhere. Pass/fail was largely affected by whether you left some currency on the seat. They stopped the inspections, since they did not really contribute to safety.
Vehicle inspection in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-switzerland-car-maintenance has some info on the Swiss inspections.
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I've pressure washed engines for 40 years and only twice had a no start. Those were cars with a distributor and points...some WD-40 in the distributor cap and both fired right up. The only time I've covered anything was an open cone filter on a short ram intake.
Common sense is required; high pressure is not applied directly but in a sweeping motion from a few feet away. That's after using a degreaser/cleaner. I prefer Amazing Roll Off mixed 50/50 with water but there are scads of others that work well. Some old paint brushes will assist in cleaning the really cruddy areas. Rinse it off, fire it up to create heat for things to dry then shut it off. Wipe down any remaining areas then use a dressing like CD-2 or Stoner's More Shine. Start it again to create heat, run a few minutes & shut down. Admire with cold beer in hand
Common sense is required; high pressure is not applied directly but in a sweeping motion from a few feet away. That's after using a degreaser/cleaner. I prefer Amazing Roll Off mixed 50/50 with water but there are scads of others that work well. Some old paint brushes will assist in cleaning the really cruddy areas. Rinse it off, fire it up to create heat for things to dry then shut it off. Wipe down any remaining areas then use a dressing like CD-2 or Stoner's More Shine. Start it again to create heat, run a few minutes & shut down. Admire with cold beer in hand
The test is quite cheap, it's around 50 USD (depending on the canton, +-), if you have a brand new car you do the test every 4 years until it reaches 10 years and from that moment you do it every 2 years. They do emissions, checking wheels (stock wheels are must OR license for another type of wheels), tinted windows - you have to have a permit, any modification on the car visual or mechanical, you have to show a permit or paperwork from authorized dealer... The check is VERY strict, many cars failing it require job in the thousands of USD to bring it up to specs so usually those cars are sold to dealers who than sell it in Africa/Eastern Europe... Nothing wrong with the car, just not up to swiss standards!
The cleaning/washing for the test can be done at a mechanic for around 100 USD, if you want him to take it to the test and do some repair (small things) it will be around 500 USD to do it.
The clean engine and undercarriage is for them to see how the vehicle was maintained. No rust is allowed, you will fail the check. When it's clean they can see that you have no oil leaks, damages etc...
Than, the culture of Swiss people is to change the cars very often. 3-5 years or 60.000 miles (100.000km). You can't see an old car on the streets really...
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I can see that allowing no rust on the undercarriage would make it hard to have a car over 5 years old. Is undercoating popular there?
I can understand discouraging 10 year old cars for the Japanese, but the Swiss are not big car manufacturers as far as I know.
There are car washes that wash the undercarriage and spray it with liquid wax, helps with protecting it from the rust.
A lot of manufacturers give out 10 years (sometimes more!) no rust guarantee on their galvanized chassis.
You can fix the rust (it is expensive though), but with modern cars and washing them (plus simple protection with liqiud vax) you are OK.
Undercoating is also an option.
If you maintain your car you can keep it long. Even past the 10, 15 or 20 years age. But you will have to take good care.
Switzerland doesn't produce cars, most cars rolling on the streets are:
Porsche (the SUV!)
Mercedes Benz
BMW
Audi,
VW
Toyotas (and japanese cars) are not popular at all, they are cheaper than their german counterparts but I guess they are not very image-giving as a MB or a beemer. So the average swiss would rather drive a VW Touareg pay 3 times more and have crazy maintaince bills...But he won't buy a Toyota!
Me on the other hand, I love the Toyota brand for a reason it's quite cheaper to buy (not a desired brand), even Top Gears guys say "if you want your car to start every morning - buy a japanese!" cheaper to run, reliable, safe...What do you want more! I'm not posh, I need a car for practical reasons, not to keep up with the Jones!
A lot of manufacturers give out 10 years (sometimes more!) no rust guarantee on their galvanized chassis.
You can fix the rust (it is expensive though), but with modern cars and washing them (plus simple protection with liqiud vax) you are OK.
Undercoating is also an option.
If you maintain your car you can keep it long. Even past the 10, 15 or 20 years age. But you will have to take good care.
Switzerland doesn't produce cars, most cars rolling on the streets are:
Porsche (the SUV!
)Mercedes Benz
BMW
Audi,
VW
Toyotas (and japanese cars) are not popular at all, they are cheaper than their german counterparts but I guess they are not very image-giving as a MB or a beemer. So the average swiss would rather drive a VW Touareg pay 3 times more and have crazy maintaince bills...But he won't buy a Toyota!
Me on the other hand, I love the Toyota brand for a reason it's quite cheaper to buy (not a desired brand), even Top Gears guys say "if you want your car to start every morning - buy a japanese!" cheaper to run, reliable, safe...What do you want more! I'm not posh, I need a car for practical reasons, not to keep up with the Jones!
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I don't wash the engine bay. I just leave it serious black.
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455 Posts
The last 2 cars that I cleaned the engine bay on cost me a pretty penny on electrical repairs. I'll just stick to a dirty engine, as long as the filters and oil are changed a regular bases, no amount of dirt on the outside will convince me to clean my engine exterior.
Cars built in the last 10 years or so can take a good bit of water over the engine with no ill effect at all. Obviously, you don't want to excessively soak the alternator or under fuse boxes, etc. As mentioned above, common sense rules the day. Most starting/running problems can be tracked back to poor connections or previous electrical/mechanical hack jobs. The OEM does a good job of protecting their stuff.
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169 Posts
I've never had any problems after washing an engine. I spray some automotive cleaner/degreaser on the engine when it is cold and wait about 5 or 10 minutes, then rinse the engine bay off with a hose and nozzle, being careful spraying around electrical components and the intake area.
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2,666 Posts
I hate to say it, but one word come to my mind: Spoiled, very spoiled.Switzerland doesn't produce cars, most cars rolling on the streets are:
Porsche (the SUV!
Mercedes Benz
BMW
Audi,
VW
Toyotas (and japanese cars) are not popular at all, they are cheaper than their german counterparts but I guess they are not very image-giving as a MB or a beemer. So the average swiss would rather drive a VW Touareg pay 3 times more and have crazy maintaince bills...But he won't buy a Toyota!
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