Hi all and happy new year,
Thinking of cleaning engine bay up,engine is clean and oil tight,it was out last year but was replaced without cleaning the bay ariound it…whats safe to use to clean the old oil etc off?
cheers
Ian.
I’ve used “Gunk” in the past; engine bay & on my Bikes.
Brush it on & hose it off.
I think it’s still available in GB.
Formulation may have changed though, bl–dy H&S 
Cheers
John
Thanks John,
i use it on bikes to,wasnt sure if it is ok on fibreglass but il give it a go now i know.
cheers,
Ian.
cleaners expressly for automotive uses are very costly and I use a lot ----so I use varsol [paint thinner ]and a squirt spray bottle — use a brush for built up grease ---- much cheaper and still washes off with water -----but there is no ‘perfume’ smell after —ed
Paint thinner sounds a bit aggresive Ed 
Aaah i[/i] but the scent of “Gunk” ranks with “Barbour” jackets & nearly enters into the “Castrol R” league 
John
I’ve used WD40 , spray on, wipe and polish off. You use a lot of rag but you can buy those big industrial type kitchen rolls which work well.
Best of luck! (not a nice job to do with anything!)
Terry
I have also used the WD40 & kitchen roll for a quick tidy up of the engine. Worked well for me 
Do you feel lucky?!
I use the local garage Jet Washer… If you are careful, avoid some of the really bad ideas (aiming at the dipstick, carbs etc) you can do a pretty good job. I do use a spray or two of gunk & use a washing up brush to shift some of the worst oily bits (careful of hot exhaust). Just remember to take a mobile phone if your car is not as water resistant as you thought! I have not had any electrical problems and use this method once or twice a year.
Worth doing before a major service or engine work.
Jeremy
I get my bits from these guys:
and for cleaning around the engine bay I use this:
cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-am … d_321.html
not cheap but you get what you pay for
regards
Mark
Re: Gunk, I used to use the soluble oil type stuff that John refers to on My Yam - FS1E and RD 250 etc. Smelled fab’.
I am not sure it is still the same. My youngest uses it in the spray can (on his old Yams) and it smells and looks like a worse verion than a Jizer type stuff. Can you still get the proper good stuff in the gallon and half gallon cans. It was brown and used to wash off white, like milk.
Mike
I always use petrol for the really messy jobs, followed by WD40 and a wipe over.
Earlier this year I bought a ?71 Escort Mexico that had been ziebarted from new. Ziebart was an early form of rust preventer, but more like a soft tar than the modern waxy stuff. Something I hadn?t realised was that when they treated a car, they did everything?.that meant under the bonnet as well. They coated the inner wings, wiring loom, brake pipes, block?everything. The upside is that the car is totally rust free, but the downside was a black, sticky and gritty mess that hadn?t been touched since it was applied in 1971?? 38 years of cooked mess.
I tried everything to be as gentle as possible and preserve the original paint, loom tape and stickers, but petrol brushed in with a stiff paint brush was the only thing that would touch it. It?s an extreme example, but I find that old engine oil that hasn?t been cleaned off for years can be just as stubborn as this ziebart stuff.
Can?t beat the Gunk smell though
Mark
Yes that’s the stuff; washes off milky white & available in cans but not everywhere.
A German mate bought a load of the stuff to keep his Vincent clean for the next 200 years.
You’ll have to search around, it’s out there.
I’m sure it’s not available in Halfords & the spotty kids in there wouldn’t have a clue of what you’re talking about
Cheers
John
Off topic, but it reminds me of trying to get hold of plug leads in an emergency last year. I went into Halfords to see if they stocked loose leads - the helpful assistant said “oh yes sir, we have them - what’s your registration number?”
Paddy
I use Autoglym’s Clean Machine - it’s water based, so enviromentally friendly (sort of) and doesn’t leave a residue so is good for degeasing prior to painting.
This stuff is probably good too:
http://www.bilthamber.com/surfex-hd.html
I haven’t tried it but all their other stuff I have used is good
Robbie
John,
see link below. I talked to the helpful lady there and she says the stuff we talk about is 733 brush on and it as near as it can be with modern H & S standards. Does not smell as strong as it did.
They only wholesale.
They do
1 litre x 12
2.5 litre x 6
5 litres x 4
Halfords and that market are the main one for them. I am going to see if I can find some.
gunk.eu.com/html/products/733.html
Mike
Hey Mike,
thanks for the Info; so Gunk is still around but die to H&S in a more diluted form you’ve been told.
I checked out that site & here’s what it says:-
[i]How to Use & Safety Precautions
Before use, ensure any electrical components are protected, for example wrap in polythene. Shake can before use. Decant the liquid into a suitable container so as not to contaminate the liquid in the can. Generously brush on to the surface to be cleaned until the area is thoroughly wet. Leave for 10 minutes allowing Gunk to fully penetrate. If necessary, use a stiff brush to loosen stubborn deposits. Rinse thoroughly with a strong stream of water. Repeat applications may be necessary.
* Do not use on hot engines or hot surfaces
* Do not use on lacquered or painted surfaces otherwise discolouration may occur.
* Gunk is not recommended for use on tarmacadam or asphalt surfaces.
* Use appropriate protective clothing and face mask.
* Do not breathe in vapour.
* Avoid contact with eyes and skin.
* Keep away from sources of ignition.
* Use in well ventilated areas.
* Keep out of reach of children.
* If swallowed do not induce vomiting , seek advice immedia[/i]tely
Well it does smell nicer when put on to a warm engine.
It used to run down the tarmac lane after every use.
An old short sleeved shirt was good protection; the splashes off the brush won’t wash out.
OK it stains your skin for a few days & it does sting a bit in your eyes.
At the time I was little more than a child. Some say a phase I’ve never left.
Health & effin Safety
It’s a wonder any of us got through life at all 
I’d give it a try anyway; so be a Brut &“Splash it all over”
Cheers
John
welll D,J. we don’t hop around with bells on our pants and wearing silly shirts and hats while doing the Millers Daughter over here you know --------we want clean engines —and things ----ed
Doctor!-------------Doctor!!
He’s out of his bed again!!!
Gunk is great stuff but as I get older I find I’m adding more and more tonic water. Redex (UK version, not the stuff sold in Texas for cattle) is very tasty with a dash of bitter lemon and plenty of ice.