So, from the beginning... I had a squealing fan belt annoy me this spring, 1998 van with a 2.5TD (100ps) engine. Found out the belt was a tad too loose compared to what the TIS disc said. Tightened it and used some CRC Belt Grip and it's been acceptable during the last months but starts to squeal again lately. I went to get a new one and was about to change it the other week when I realised that I will need to loosen the power steering belt to change the fan belt. So I'm gonna go ahead and get a new power steering belt before doing anything, might as well swap them both out at the same time.
Another problem... I do have a minor oil leak somewhere, have been checking the oil frequently and it's all good so far but tiny amounts seeping out somewhere collecting in a small cavity on the left side of the engine (looking from the front of the van). So while I'm at changing the belts I'm thinking I'll do a proper engine bay cleaning at the same time, also easier to identify where the oil might be coming from afterwards and how much and how critical it might be (Pretty sure the engine bay hasn't been cleaned on this one before, apart from me doing some light clean up when I got it).
What to cover and what to think about? My plan is the following, does it sound okay or something missing when it comes to my technique or to covering up sensitive areas?
1. Remove batteries (have two of them) and brush and vaccuum dry dust out
2. Cover the center part of the engine bay (engine itself) with a garbage bag
3. Spray degreaser and use low pressure water hose to rinse the sides, battery compartments, underside of hood, back firewall and the front radiator, fan blade area getting all dust and insects out of there.
4. Ditch the plastic bag covering the engine. Cover the alternator, fuse boxes, relays separately with smaller plastic bags (have some extra connection boxes/stuff in engine bay as it's a former fire dept. van)
5. Alternate spraying with degreaser/soap mixture and a clear water spray bottle while scrubbing away and drying as I go. NOT rinsing the center part with the low pressure hose at all.
6. Maybe use a handheld steam cleaner to get the most stubborn dirt gone from the engine and center part of the bay if needed.
You think it'll start afterwards?