Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 November 2009, 14:08:03

Title: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 November 2009, 14:08:03
At some point in the cars life it has suffered from an oil leak and the area around the oil filter and the front of the gearbox is covered in dirty engine oil.

The car isn't using any oil now and I had the cam gaskets done as soon as I bought her.

I'd like to get all the old oil off and am proposing to use spray on de-greaser (Cillit Bang ?), let it soak in and then pressure wash it off.

The car is in a garage and can be allowed to dry off before being started.

Any thoughts comments at all chaps?

My logic is that by getting rid of the old rubbish I can then see more easily if I have a new leak anywhere.

Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: RobG on 30 November 2009, 14:18:23
I used gunk on mine but used a hose pipe as I found the pressure more manageable than using a jet wash
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 November 2009, 14:47:03
It did the job ok then? Is Gunk available in a spray on form as I will be doing this from alternate front sides whilst the car is jacked up.
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: Selseybill on 30 November 2009, 14:54:53
Am a bit old school being over a certain age and get slated for this but i use paraffin works a treat but highly inflatable.Gunk as good and a lot safer.   
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: amba on 30 November 2009, 15:30:41
Gunk do an aerosol can,but it works out quite alot dearer than in a can.
I use a pump up garden type spray bottle with a mixture of liquid gunk and very hot water ,mixed about 50/50.
It is more controllable than a can and you can adjust nozzle for mist or srong jet.The hot water aides the action and makes it go alot further.
Then rinse off with a garden hose,not jet wash as again too fierce and difficult to control.
Just wondering how you got on replacing the rear subframe bushes you had planned for the weekend ?
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: andyc on 30 November 2009, 17:18:57
for something like that i would use a couple of cans of brake cleaner and a stiff brush.

Use the first can with the brush to losen the crap and then wash off with the second can

Nice thing with brake cleaner is its self drying and you don't get wet..

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: rustym95 on 30 November 2009, 17:36:34
shaving foam dose the trick, leave on the area for 10min then wash off with hose pipe. and kitchen degreaser is really good. :y
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 November 2009, 21:30:35
Quote
Gunk do an aerosol can,but it works out quite alot dearer than in a can.
I use a pump up garden type spray bottle with a mixture of liquid gunk and very hot water ,mixed about 50/50.
It is more controllable than a can and you can adjust nozzle for mist or srong jet.The hot water aides the action and makes it go alot further.
Then rinse off with a garden hose,not jet wash as again too fierce and difficult to control.
Just wondering how you got on replacing the rear subframe bushes you had planned for the weekend ?


Thanks for asking but - I didn't!  ;)
I had the exhaust rear box done and the chap who did it advised that all the suspension bushes were sound so I thought that I's leave it a while. The car isn't going anywhere for the next few weeks so there isn't an issue and £££ saved at an expensive time of year.
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 November 2009, 21:31:50
Quote
shaving foam dose the trick, leave on the area for 10min then wash off with hose pipe. and kitchen degreaser is really good. :y

Good one  - thanks Rusty mate
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 November 2009, 21:32:28
Quote
for something like that i would use a couple of cans of brake cleaner and a stiff brush.

Use the first can with the brush to losen the crap and then wash off with the second can

Nice thing with brake cleaner is its self drying and you don't get wet..

Cheers
Andy


Thanks Andy
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 November 2009, 21:32:49
Some great ideas guys - many thanks
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: holtender on 30 November 2009, 22:19:30
For oil stains on the Drive, squirt neat Fairy Liquid on the oil patch leave to soak in for a few days and when it rains you will be amazed how clean your drive can become.
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: tigers_gonads on 30 November 2009, 22:50:18
mix a bit of soap powder in with that  :y

give it a scrub and rince with boiling water out of the kettle  :y

does the job and believe me, i've had plenty of pratice  :D :D :y :y
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 01 December 2009, 13:38:14
Does Vinegar do anything on oil? I seems to be treated as a wonder cure or most things.
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: PhilRich on 01 December 2009, 18:37:56
Quote
Does Vinegar do anything on oil? I seems to be treated as a wonder cure or most things.


Vinegar is excellent with chips oil IMHO ;D ;D ;D ;) :y
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: Pitchfork on 01 December 2009, 19:15:01
Quote
For oil stains on the Drive, squirt neat Fairy Liquid on the oil patch leave to soak in for a few days and when it rains you will be amazed how clean your drive can become.
Didn't work for a leak from a Traktor, the black stain is still there on the bricks :'(
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: Seth on 02 December 2009, 13:21:58
Quote
Quote
For oil stains on the Drive, squirt neat Fairy Liquid on the oil patch leave to soak in for a few days and when it rains you will be amazed how clean your drive can become.
Didn't work for a leak from a Traktor, the black stain is still there on the bricks :'(

Try scrubbing with neat shampoo!
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: Seth on 02 December 2009, 13:25:50
Quote
It did the job ok then? Is Gunk available in a spray on form as I will be doing this from alternate front sides whilst the car is jacked up.

Gunk actually do two aerosols - foam action and spray action.

I've had excellent results with the foam action stuff, but it seems difficult to get hold of. You'll need to look carefully too, as both types are in very similar cans.
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: raywilb on 02 December 2009, 13:38:25
youv,e not said what type of  surface it is. only if its concrete try mixing a bag of mortar mix on top of the stain - but dont do it on sets or tarmac. - being a brickie by trade i found out by accident that it helps get rid oil stains.
Title: Re: cleaning up after an old oil leak .........
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 02 December 2009, 13:46:10
I'm talking about getting the oily mess off the underneath of the car - the thread diverged and people started talking about getting it off driveways.