111R engine cleaning

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james.beaumont1
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111R engine cleaning

Post by james.beaumont1 » Sat Nov 21, 2015 5:26 pm

Hi guys. My 111R needs some engine bay tlc. The engine cover is tarnished (?) - can this be polished out? The car is booked in to be detailed but this won't be done and I'd like it looking as good as possible. Image

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T6 KFR
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by T6 KFR » Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:57 am

I was looking at mine last night putting on the trickle charger and thought the same lol - keep me posted!

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james.beaumont1
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by james.beaumont1 » Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:54 pm

Will do - still searching for an answer!

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Dominic
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by Dominic » Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:13 am

There was a thread somewhere a few months ago about the same issue with the plastic side air intakes.... something for peanut butter IIRC.... :blackeye
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Dominic
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by Dominic » Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:16 am

Found it! I assume the same tricks would work for the engine bay plastics...

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... ut#p484829
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james.beaumont1
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by james.beaumont1 » Mon Nov 23, 2015 2:53 pm

Handy thread mate but I was actually meaning the metal top of the engine!

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graeme
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by graeme » Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:12 pm

Is it aluminium? That looks like aluminium oxide. Try a polish (such as Mothers Mag & Aluminium Polish) to remove the oxidized bits, then a good skoosh of ACF-50 to protect it.
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james.beaumont1
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by james.beaumont1 » Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:17 pm

graeme wrote:Is it aluminium? That looks like aluminium oxide. Try a polish (such as Mothers Mag & Aluminium Polish) to remove the oxidized bits, then a good skoosh of ACF-50 to protect it.
I have started working on it with Autosol as that's all I have just now but it's working very nicely. I'm now looking for an attachment (steel wool) for my drill to get to all the hard to reach places - any suggestions?

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graeme
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by graeme » Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:46 pm

Autosol wil do nicely. Same stuff pretty much.

NOT steel wool though... jeezless cripes, you'll scratch the blazes out of it. :)

Try something like this? http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing ... _1429.html

Out of stock there, but that kinda thing. https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid ... +for+drill


Use it with the Autosol as an abrasive and think about splatter before you start! Don't touch anything plastic. If in doubt, stick to using a cloth and elbow grease.


Most importantly, get the ACF-50 on asap afterwards.
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BigD
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by BigD » Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:58 pm

Some after pics please. :)

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james.beaumont1
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by james.beaumont1 » Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:35 pm

graeme wrote:Autosol wil do nicely. Same stuff pretty much.

NOT steel wool though... jeezless cripes, you'll scratch the blazes out of it. :)

Try something like this? http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing ... _1429.html

Out of stock there, but that kinda thing. https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid ... +for+drill


Use it with the Autosol as an abrasive and think about splatter before you start! Don't touch anything plastic. If in doubt, stick to using a cloth and elbow grease.


Most importantly, get the ACF-50 on asap afterwards.
That's great advice- the attachment is exactly what I'm looking for - just wondering how to get right down in to the engine bay and get to the alternator etc without some serious dismantling!

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graeme
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by graeme » Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:18 pm

If you can't reach it, you can't see it. Stop cleaning and drive the thing. :thumbsup
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james.beaumont1
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by james.beaumont1 » Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:29 pm

graeme wrote:If you can't reach it, you can't see it. Stop cleaning and drive the thing. :thumbsup
Haha. It's in the garage for the winter so I'm having to find other ways to amuse myself!

Callummarshall
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by Callummarshall » Wed Nov 25, 2015 9:43 pm

I used a mild degreaser and a wee detaling brush on mine. Then gave it a wipe down and dressed it with an engine dressing(303 aerospace if memory serves).

Before
Image

After
Image

Sorry the pictures aren't very good it's all I have at the moment!

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Shug
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Re: 111R engine cleaning

Post by Shug » Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:46 am

It depends if it's just dirty, or if it's corroded. Looks like corrosion, so the more aggressive-ish method that Graeme talks about is the one to go for. Remember that ally holds up best when it's basically got a light layer of corrosion protecting the material (that's all anodising is) so polish it up to a shine and you'll be cleaning it weekly for ever more. ACF50 on a rag and wipe over halts existing corrosion and stops further happening - it's essentially just aerospace WD40 that lasts and clings a lot better.

The engine cover was designed to sit under a bonnet in the dry, not under slats that dribble water onto it - so unfortunately, it will end up looking a bit rough unless you get OCD about keeping on top of it.
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