Engine Bay Dirt

[scottishbud]

Hi, has anyone found that their engine compartment is very dirty compared with previous cars? The arches above the wheels forward are made of a sort of cardboard which absorbs the dirt! Am I the only person with this problem?

[rich164h]

Does it matter? It's an engine bay!

[Col]

Does it matter? It's an engine bay!

Of course it matters.

A clean engine bay is very important if you fettle your own car. If you take somewhere to get a 'man' to fettle it for you, maybe not.

[Plife]

Not noticed it....yes I will be checking when I get home!!

Sounds like spraying some APC (all purpose cleaner) and giving the engine bay a good clean!

[Bristle Hound]

Of course it matters.

A clean engine bay is very important if you fettle your own car. If you take somewhere to get a 'man' to fettle it for you, maybe not.
Now that did make me laugh! :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

[ScottyUK]

The reason I like a reasonably clean engine bay (i.e. not detailed!!) is in case anything leaks, splits etc as then you can spot it.

[Col]

The reason I like a reasonably clean engine bay (i.e. not detailed!!) is in case anything leaks, splits etc as then you can spot it.

Too right, totally agree.

If you love your car, you keep it clean.

[mkc]

the engine bay does get dirty despite it being sealed from below, but I guess it must collect stuff through the grill.

Every time i wash my car the entire engine and bottom of the bonnet gets a once over with my beloved baby wipes. Followed by a micro fibre cloth to pick up any smears. Does it matter, probably not but I like dealing with things that I know are clean under the bonnet!!:Blush2::D

[zollaf]

if you work on cars for a living, then you really appreciate those customers that have nice clean engine bays, as you dont get covered in grime just looking at it. there is not a lot worse than popping a bonnet to do a cambelt change or service, and finding it filthy. it takes longer to do the job so can end up costing more. a nice spanking engine bay on the other hand is a pleasure to work in, the job will get done quicker so you save money. also, as rubber hoses degrade when covered in oil, they will last longer if kept clean, so you save again, and the cars easier to sell if it looks well kept. so clean that engine bay, its a win win situation.:beerchug:

[jakerade]

it comes in through the top of the wheel arch liners which are made of some sort of flexible "felt" material.

It's very poorly sealed in my opinion as it sprays it all over the ABS unit etc. On salty roads it can't be a good thing as it will lead to corrosion on some of the engine components.

If you live in a rural location like i do you will obviously notice it more especially on the nearside.

[ru55]

I'll second that and after 6 months of running and 4,500 miles in the Central Belt I have a dirty engine bay with seepage coming from the near side wheel arch. When I wash the car I like to hose out the wheel arches (no jet wash) but perhaps this is not a good idea. I would raise with the dealer but it is still 18 months till my next sceduled visit!:mad:

[dac57]

Hi, has anyone found that their engine compartment is very dirty compared with previous cars? The arches above the wheels forward are made of a sort of cardboard which absorbs the dirt! Am I the only person with this problem?

My own S-Line saloon suffered the very same problems to the point where I finally had the dealer get underneath & block-off the grit/water entry points in these front wheelarch liners. They simply used the liquid foam then sprayed over in black although you can't see it anyway.
This has almost stopped the problem but it is a very poor design indeed & very un-Audi like !
I too like a clean engine bay & so when you've spent £35K on a new A4, you should not expect ANY of the parts to suffer a crap design like this part is...

[ScottyUK]

Has any one considered why the holes are there? Assumming it's a design **** up is a bit weird when we all buy Audi's due to the Germany design and engineering.

If there are holes there then I'd assume they're there for a reason e.g. engine bay cooliing or something like that.

[dac57]

Has any one considered why the holes are there? Assumming it's a design **** up is a bit weird when we all buy Audi's due to the Germany design and engineering.

If there are holes there then I'd assume they're there for a reason e.g. engine bay cooliing or something like that.

Not so much holes as gaps - ill-fitting liners between the body & each liner half. Cannot see or understand any reason why Audi would risk road shi* coming through these obvious gaps into the engine bay & potentially putting corrosion & other stuff (water) in amongst important wiring/electronics etc...

[jakerade]

Its not just the front liners either.

I removed the rear bumper the other day to fit parking sensors and there was about 3cm of sand (i live in a sandy area) sitting on top of the exhaust. The rear bumper was pretty much full of it as well. Obviously gets in through the top of the liner some how.

I will post some pics when i remember where i left my camera!

Jake