Oil leak clean up on engine

stevec

Member
Wales
Hi guys. Can anyone recommend and engine degreaser, my car has had a little oil leak from either egr valve, rocker cover or vacuum pump. Would like to clean it up as it's looking and smelling quite bad.
Thanks
Steve
P. S has anyone used autoglym engine +machine cleaner? It's water based and has good reviews?
 
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Firstly drop the undertray insulation from the engine bay and clean it off the car. Do not go too corrosive as there are lots of aluminium plastic and rubber in the engine bay not to mention the electrics. I have used Lotoxane but you can use brake cleaner. Spray it from a trigger bottle to soak into the oil for about 5 minutes then a careful wash off with hot water. Take the car for a drive to fully dry out the engine bay then refit the dry undertray. As always make sure you wear gloves and protect your eyes.
 
Personally I haven't used the Autoglym, but have used several other products they make. Couple of my new Audis I had Lifeshine treated i.e. Autoglym. So as it is easy to get hold of and claims to be safe why not give it a try. Already said what I use and Buck and Hickman have branches in Cardiff and Swansea, and Brammer buck and Hickman a branch in Merthyr
 
Thanks.
They all sound about the same to use. Just a bit wary of the very harsh degreasers. That's why I'm swaying towards the citrus or water based degreasers. Yes not as strong but unlikely to soften any hoses or damage plastic/aluminium etc
 
Go for it. Only thing I would say is if you are going to pressure washer use a low pressure only and try to protect some of the electrics. That is why I try to use spray bottles, you can use them when empty for the water to flush them off without drowning the engine. It really depends how fresh the oil is, once it get burnt on it is a PITA to remove. Keep away from cooker type cleaners. The one I use is completely safe on electrics, plastics, metals and skin but still wear gloves and eye protection.
 
Hi guys. Can anyone recommend and engine degreaser, my car has had a little oil leak from either egr valve, rocker cover or vacuum pump. Would like to clean it up as it's looking and smelling quite bad.
Thanks
Steve
P. S has anyone used autoglym engine +machine cleaner? It's water based and has good reviews?
Hi Steve,
I’ve used autoglym engine cleaner on 5 Audi’s with no problems , leave to soak & then agitate with a soft brush after covering up electrical items, I rinse off with the jet wash at around 800mm once rinsed off dry surplus water with cloth/towel , remove protection from electrics etc & then run engine until warm, finish off with a spray of autoglym vinyl & rubber care to engine bay
All done to my cars without problem .
These are the only images I have to hand of my sons Lupo 1.0 lt (122,000 miles)

Usual caveats apply at your risk .

Cheers
Keith.
506065060650605
 

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Hi all.
Well think I've got off lightly. On a plus point oil had been leaking from my rocker cover. On removal looks like an incorrectly fitted rocker gasket. The retaining washer/bolt had been squashing one part of seal instead of holding it. But a pita to remove rocker. Egr valve had to be removed to gain access. And all other associated parts removed to get at egr. Car all back together and top part of engine cleaned will buy another bottle of engine cleaner to tackle below engine head.
 
Yep that one bolt at the rear is fun. Glad to hear car now sorted. On a plus side now everything is clean it is far easier to spot those little leaks that normally take a while before they are really obvious (bad). Worth taking off the under tray as the diesel ones have additional sound proofing (foam) that really soaks up spills until they are saturated and spill over.
 
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