[b]ive just bought a mazda 323f and wondered if any 1 can give me any info on how 2 get under the bonnet clean as it is filthy

thanx julie[/b]

Easy - get a squirty bottle, some de-greaser and a stiff brush. Put the de-greaser in the squirty bottle and squirt it all over the engine, engine bay and under the bonnet. Rub everywhere with the brush and hose down. Result - sparkly engine bay !!!

PS : Check the plugs after you've hosed down - sometimes the water gets down the plug tubes in the head and causes mis-fires, unless yuo dry it out first.

PPS : Welcome to the site

you can buy engine degreaser/cleaner stuff form halfords in a nice squirty bottle.

Arty

I love the stuff so much, I buy it in 5 litre bottles ! I usually buy Prepsol, 'cause it's water based but very efficient. I tried Valvoline Jetclean once (petroleum based), which was so good, it cleaned away everything, including the paint and some of the plastic/rubber parts. Also, the jetclean really stinks, while the Prepsol has an almost pleasant yet subtle odour ...

Go carefully on top of the engine - as Smotter said, if the plugs get wet, you'll have the car missfiring - but it may not start miss firing until you've done a few miles or even until after the first journey. I know - I've done it twice. The first I didn't what the problem was, took it to Mazda, they charged me £50 including new spark plugs (it had only been serviced a month beforehand) when all they needed to do was to dry the old ones off!!

Mark

[b]thanx alot guys a big help all i need now is some good weather[/b]

in my opinion -

Get it steam cleaned first... this should remove most crap and residue from the road.

Next clean it with a damp cloth - maybe some soapy water.

Polish the body coloured parts of the engine bay as normal

Autoglym metal polish for the metal bits, manifold, block, rocker cover etc.

Bit of back to black for the placcy bits -

Done!

[b]i am a woman for christ sake lol fancy comin 2 do it for me lol[/b]

lol

not in c*** dear!

Bring it to JAE nice and early and we can give it a go!

My method is great for everyday use - Friar Tuck's method is better if you are serious about winning the concourse de'Elegance ...

Also... you wanna be careful when steam-cleaning a petrol engine, the steam is more likely to get into critical areas than water will!

Diesel engines don't mind it but I'd use a tiny hand-held steam cleaner if you must.

I personally like the engine bay to look 'lived-in' and mucky; as an engine bay SHOULD be!! :P:lol:

What about fresh lemon juice? That should get the engine bay sparkling clean and a nice citrus smell too

[quote="julie25"][b]i am a woman for christ sake lol fancy comin 2 do it for me lol[/b][/quote]

Steady on you might get a queue

lol -

Anyway - anyone who claims to be a professional valeter should be able to steam clean an engine without damaging it...

[quote]Bring it to JAE nice and early and we can give it a go![/quote]

Would you 2 just get a room!

Lol -

mate - im only recommending how she cleans her bits!

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

lmao you offering tucker ....

On a serious note .. I have never cleaned under my bonnet so I may take some of all your advice and put it to good use on the old silver beast :P

[b]my bits are quiet ok thanx i know how 2 clean it lol[/b]

and suddenly JAE can't come quick enough.....

Are we combining PUL and the BA club this year so we can have one big group?

Should I bring a re-enforced tent this year?

well thanx guys got my engine cleaned last week looks great now

[quote="julie25"][b]my bits are quiet ok thanx i know how 2 clean it lol[/b][/quote]

Nice to know that you have now cleaned your bits i bet it looks great

lol -

Good enuf! Keep the dirt out from.....

Ill stop now.

Sorry

<bows head in shame>

lol out ov where eh if u mean my engine bay lol then its still clean

[quote="julie25"]if u mean my engine bay[/quote]

Must be c*** slang for something

pmsl -

Dont we think that we've given jules a bit of a ribbing so far?!!?

Sorry darl!

Yea "sorry luv"