Cleaning Engine Bay

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Sat 20 Jul 2019 15:53
Cleaning Engine Bay - Warning

I am selling my car, it is old 15+ years old. How do people clean their engine bay. Is it worth the hassle?

Should I used 3 in 1 oil. I have WD40 spray and Soudal Silicone Spray (no idea what this is for, but neighbours moved out and left piles of stuff....).

Edited by Warning on 20/07/2019 at 15:53

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Sat 20 Jul 2019 17:23
Cleaning Engine Bay - badbusdriver

Is it worth the hassle?

Depends how much you plan to ask, and if this is more or less than the typical price. 15+ years old isn't really in the spring of youth, so unless the engine bay is unusually dirty i don't think i'd bother (unless you are asking above the 'going rate'). Back when i was a car valeter, i would just use a solution of TFR (traffic film remover) and a power washer.

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Sat 20 Jul 2019 22:43
Cleaning Engine Bay - Andrew-T

Is it worth the hassle?

No, it probably isn't, unless you hope to sell it to someone who intends to show it at rallies, rather than use it as a day-to-day motor. If you DiY it, it will be difficult to reach many awkward corners, which will just reveal how it really looks. Unless there are oil spills and the like, which would be detrimental to a sale.

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Sat 20 Jul 2019 19:15
Cleaning Engine Bay - Brit_in_Germany

I would leave it as it is. A potential buyer would be suspicious, wondering what you are trying to hide. With its "patina", they will be able to see that there are no obvious fluid leaks.

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Sat 20 Jul 2019 22:31
Cleaning Engine Bay - Terry W

Personally I would not bother unless it is a very high end motor.

You could spend all day for the sake of £1-200 on the selling price. You may also end up wth water or cleaning fluids in the electrics or fuel system (misfires or won't restart!!) if you don't know what you are doing.

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Sun 21 Jul 2019 04:04
Cleaning Engine Bay - edlithgow

When I showed my newly purchased Nissan Sunny's engine bay to a friend who used to be in the bizniz, he said"

"Looks suitably dirty. Thats what I like to see. Shows no one's been messing with it, and its difficult to fake.

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