Hot water pressure washer was fine when mine was done nothing covered up at all. However it did take the text off the aircon regas sticker (no loss apart that i've now got a blank sticker) and some of the paint off my power steering cap.

Peace of mind should included fuse box and some of the exposed electric but tbh it's probably ott.

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Black X Reg PIII.VGTi 6 A4212 pt 1 A4212 pt 2 Searching the streets of Bristol for 1.36p/day.

Joint Kent Leader

Nevermind me trying using the word clean instead of detail and found loads of threads

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Back to my phase 2 in black on the road.
Phase 3 sold after spending fortune on it.. It wont be missed.
AFTER a phase 3 tailgate in black and front bumper in ace condition.

Jamie I can't really say that I agree with all of the above (just my opinion).

Cleaning the engine is a relitively simple task and definetly gives very rewarding results.

There are two ways I would go about it.
1)With a quality steam cleaner that produces a constant flow of steam under presure of 120 degrees or higher, this method means no need for chemicals.

2)Warm the engine until warm (not hot), cover up any thing that you shouldn't get water into and then spray enginge cleaner over everything, agitate into all the dirty areas and rinse off with an open hose, repeat if necessary. Then go for a drive to dry everything off.

Then which ever method you have done you will need to re-grease any parts that should have grease on, and then the engine bay needs protecting, just like you would protect the body work. I use Sonus Trim and Motor Kote for this, spray on a light coat and let dry then a second coat (do this when engine is cool and dry).

I wouldn't have the engine running as if water gets into the air intake you could suck it into the engine ..... and disaster.

I wouldn't use a pressure washer as the water is under such high pressure it can be forced passed seals say on a plug and casue problems.

Here is a picture of my bay after it was done in the summer.

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If you aint first, your last!

Jamie, doing a '6' engine as long as you don't have an aftermarket induction kit, there is nothing that you really have to cover up, all of the plugs have waterproof covers on them fuses boxes have covers so should be fine as long as you don't go blasting high pressure water at them. You could just stick a plastic bag over the battery if you want but not essential.

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If you aint first, your last!

i find taking the engine out and pushing your car outside your house to jetwash it properly gives rewarding results

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306 rallye reproduction decals (full sets/individual decals) | 306 b-pillar textured vinyl weatherstrips
306 slam panel esso stickers | 306 yellow / orange / pension fund red side door badges
gti6 inlet manifold badges | 306 rear boot badges (p2/p3)
winner of Extraction of toys from prams with outstanding vigour award 2009 [source: gti6 owners club]