Cleaning the MG ZS "engine bay"

S

Simon Oakley

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I have had my MG ZS almost a year now and would like to clean the motor under the bonnet as its really grubby.Does anyone know what the best way to do it as i am worried about going up in flames if i use a pressure washer but it looks really dirty under there.Any solutions guys would be appreciated.
 
AdeB said:
I think there might be better ways to use your time…😁

In all seriousness, I’m genuinely curious as to why you would be concerned about cleaning this area.
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Engine bays get pretty grubby and some people like attention to detail, there's nothing worse than having a lovely looking car, then opening the bonnet and seeing a filthy mess.

Also it minimises corrosion, dust and dirt left on all the surfases through winter when it gets damp causes surface corrosion on parts.

Oh, NEVER use any sort of pressure washer, or even a normal hose in any engine bay! Damp sponges should be as wet as it needs to get.
 
I aways keep my engine bay clean...Why? because I like to see it clean.

I too would never have a pressure anywhere near my car...let alone the engine bay!

I get through quite a few Costco Kitchen rolls keeping my cars clean.......spray wipe, spay wipe ...thats it, until its clean. I've used all sorts of stuff over the years to loosen the muck......plain water...WD40, My latest discovery is Wilko's spray push bike cleaner, I think its silicone based. It matters not...look after your car and it will look after you.:)

MG Clean engine.jpg
 
I’d like to think it also demonstrates to any Technician working on your car that you are very concerned to have the best level of care. Or to put this the other way, if they lift the bonnet and it looks a mess is that the standard you are setting for them to achieve?
 
Simon Oakley said:
I have had my MG ZS almost a year now and would like to clean the motor under the bonnet as its really grubby.Does anyone know what the best way to do it as i am worried about going up in flames if i use a pressure washer but it looks really dirty under there.Any solutions guys would be appreciated.
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Perhaps you should look at this thread as well Engine bay cleaning
 
Adee said:
Sweet. If only that read V8 instead of V6 :)
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I too used to like V8/V6 engines, In fact I still have a launch edition 2.5 V6 Rover 75 gathering dust in a garage... That engine is really sweet, but it all seems a bit of a joke now when even budget EV's make them look slow and obsolete! And the thought of the cost of running one now with Petrol prices at sub 30mpg, road tax, & the servicing needs... Makes me shiver thinking of the £3k a year more I used to pay for the privilege! Let alone the need to run even higher cost high octane petrol soon to avoid the 10% ethanol horror that's coming...

Sorry, got a bit negative there!!
 
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Paulie68 said:
I too used to like V8/V6 engines, In fact I still have a launch edition 2.5 V6 Rover 75 gathering dust in a garage... That engine is really sweet, but it all seems a bit of a joke now when even budget EV's make them look slow and obsolete! And the thought of the cost of running one now with Petrol prices at sub 30mpg, road tax, & the servicing needs... Makes me shiver thinking of the £3k a year more I used to pay for the privilege!
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Know what you mean. ICE technology has been obsoleted almost overnight as everyday transport. It'll become a "special occasion" kind of thing. Like the classic car market now is. Lots of lovely old cars but totally outdated and impractical, so use on Sunday only and watch the values increase :)
 
You must change the cam belts regularily on the Rover petrol engines and keep an eye on your cylinder head gaskets...one of the reasons I used to prefer the Diesel version of the 75. A damn fine car, and very reliable and economical. I've still got an imaculate set of eletric beige leather seats for the saloon, if anyone needs any.
 
Adee said:
Know what you mean. ICE technology has been obsoleted almost overnight as everyday transport. It'll become a "special occasion" kind of thing. Like the classic car market now is. Lots of lovely old cars but totally outdated and impractical, so use on Sunday only and watch the values increase :)
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Yeah the ZT is a weekend car, usually use super unleaded as well ( especially now with the advent of E10 petrol
Chrispydoc said:
You must change the cam belts regularily on the Rover petrol engines and keep an eye on your cylinder head gaskets...one of the reasons I used to prefer the Diesel version of the 75. A damn fine car, and very reliable and economical. I've still got an imaculate set of eletric beige leather seats for the saloon, if anyone needs any.
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Cam belts on the V6 is every 6 years or 90k however I usually get them done every 5 years. A big job.
The KV6 is pretty bullet proof and head gaskets are not an issue ( unlike the 4 cylinder K series)
 
I was almost tempted by the V8 when they first put it in the 75 back in 2004/5 IIRC, sounded lovely.
 
What a pity the Phoenix Four came along and raped the last British car producing company (of any significance) or that the govt didn't step in and bail it out. MG had a pretty decent range of vehicles at the end and the 75/ZT looks as stately as a Bentley in my view.
 
Chrispydoc said:
I aways keep my engine bay clean...Why? because I like to see it clean.

I too would never have a pressure anywhere near my car...let alone the engine bay!

I get through quite a few Costco Kitchen rolls keeping my cars clean.......spray wipe, spay wipe ...thats it, until its clean. I've used all sorts of stuff over the years to loosen the muck......plain water...WD40, My latest discovery is Wilko's spray push bike cleaner, I think its silicone based. It matters not...look after your car and it will look after you.:)

View attachment 4176
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Is there a cover you've removed to take that pic?
On the MG5, there's a cover above and below.
 
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