I would like some advise on how to safely clean my engine.
What engine cleaner detergent should I use?
Should I use a high-pressure machine?
Can I take the plastic cover off the top to clean the back of the engine?
How long should I leave the engine to dry before starting? -------------------------------------------------------------
1965 Series IIa Safari LWB White - gone
1982 RR 2 door Sahara dust - gone
2000 Freelander 1 3 door white gold - gone
1995 Discovery 1 200Tdi Biaritz Blue - gone
2009 FL2 TD4 HSE Stornoway Grey

I do mine every Spring, it's not as daunting as you might think.

With a cold engine block, wrap cling film tightly around every exposed wire, cable and connector that you can visibly see.

Apply generous measures of Autoglym Engine and Machine Cleaner to all hoses, plastics and exposed metalwork.

Agitate with a long-handled radiator brush, to get down low into all the cracks and creases.

Rinse with a light spray from a hose pipe - DO NOT use a pressure washer under any circumstances.

Leave to dry naturally, and if you want to make it look factory, lightly spray hoses, plastics and engine cover with Autoglym Vinyl and Rubbercare, and leave to dry naturally for a couple of hours.

Thanks Southam for that excellent advise.
I'll give it a go this weekend (and stay away from the pressure washer! ) -------------------------------------------------------------
1965 Series IIa Safari LWB White - gone
1982 RR 2 door Sahara dust - gone
2000 Freelander 1 3 door white gold - gone
1995 Discovery 1 200Tdi Biaritz Blue - gone
2009 FL2 TD4 HSE Stornoway Grey

On the opposite side, I've always used pressure washer, without isolating anything.
And my engine has the cover off almost from the beginning. It's easier to keep an eye on things...
Never had any problem.

Quote:

On the opposite side, I've always used pressure washer, without isolating anything.
And my engine has the cover off almost from the beginning. It's easier to keep an eye on things...
Never had any problem. Laughing

Exactly what I do

I leave engine running, and do not blast at any electrical components

Ok....now what do I do  -------------------------------------------------------------
1965 Series IIa Safari LWB White - gone
1982 RR 2 door Sahara dust - gone
2000 Freelander 1 3 door white gold - gone
1995 Discovery 1 200Tdi Biaritz Blue - gone
2009 FL2 TD4 HSE Stornoway Grey

Oh well, it would be a boring world if each of us did everything the same way, wouldn't it?

Here's a video from the experts showing you their way of doing it.....other methods described above are at your own risk!

Leave well alone the damage you could potentially cause simply not worth it, fragile car electrics & water don’t mix well.

This is how JLR do it
 MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

That reminds me of the old Wheeler Dealers:Trading Up, where Mike Brewer is in India and they do exactly that to one of his purchases....he gets less than 20 yards up the road, and it dies on him

SouthamFL2 wrote:

Here's a video from the experts showing you their way of doing it.....

I've always wondered how they, in videos like this, dirty up the engine before applying their products.
Didn't you get the impression that the dirt, always, is way to easy cleaned up?

Alex, you should come and trawl our rural roads one winter....come the spring you'll see just how much muck gets into an engine bay.....particularly with all the construction going on right across the country......the roads are muddy, wet and full of pot-holes. I'm glad I drive a FL2, as its proven to cope with the crap state of the roads here.......

How many people does it take to close a bonnet, let alone wash a car in India? It's a wonder they didn't foam the interior!  -------------------------------------------------------------
1965 Series IIa Safari LWB White - gone
1982 RR 2 door Sahara dust - gone
2000 Freelander 1 3 door white gold - gone
1995 Discovery 1 200Tdi Biaritz Blue - gone
2009 FL2 TD4 HSE Stornoway Grey

I'm not so worried about keeping the engine clean, but I do wonder how I can EASILY keep all that cooling equipment working efficiently. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

I find a good degreaser worked in with a brush then left for a while,then I use a 5ltr garden pump up sprayer to clean off works well. The garden sprayer is very directable and easy to keep away from electricals,then when dry some Areospace 303 finishes it off.