touque

searched and can't find - simple question...

to all you 'guys' who have sparklie super-duper clean engine's and engine bays, what do you use to clean things up with? Do you use something different on the hoses vs. the block/pan etc? Citrus orange, simple green or hydrochloric acid?

I won't be able to keep it perfect since it's a daily-driver, but I'd love to hear your tips...

TIA

Big Dave

Most folks will use Simple Green. I'm using mineral spirits once the engine is out of the car. I've got some serious grime to remove. Mineral spiritis shouldn't go anywhere near painted surfaces, though.

AO

elbow grease

rixter

I'm cleaning the 78 project block with a commercial citrus cleaner, stuff works GREAT, dont think I'd use it with the engine in the car.. I'll post pics in a couple days and you can see

Thaddeus

My engine isn't nearly up to snuff yet, but mainly I use elbow grease to knock the gunk off, then a little citrus to remove the last layer of oiliness. Steel wool to buff anodized parts, brass bristle brush on aluminum. Cotton everywhere else.

dr bob

Do an inconspicuous test spot on the paintes stuff before you douse the engine bay with anything tougher than car wash soap. I found out the hard way that most citrus, or solvent based (gunk/engine brite/motor shine), or heavy detergent (straight Simple Green or 409) products will spot the paint on the intake and cam covers. Go with the most gentle product you can get away with, and save the harsh products for the bottom of the engine bay, below the cam covers.

quinto555

Commercial car wash here uses Diesel and Soap. They spot splay a gallon of diesel on the dirties parts of the engine and let it soak for about 10-15 minutes and then hand wash with soap and then pressure wash with hot water, the problems is that most of the car can’t start after washing.

Shane

Enviromentalist would never allow that up here! Least not with out some serious waste water treatment process.

WallyP

Being 16 and ignorant, I cleaned the flathead V8 on my first car by getting it warm, then coating it with a thick mixture of Tide and gasoline! Let it sit for about an hour, then washed it off with a hose - worked great, but I don't think that I will try it on my 928...

Thaddeus

Wally, most people don't clean their cars with napalm. I have to say, that's unorthodox...

FlyingDog

At least he didn't use polystyrene and diesel.

touque

nice one Wally!




thanks for the info folks... sounds like Simple-green and some hard work is forthcoming.


Troy

concor

Can I clean the engine with a pressure washer? I have an oil leak somewhere and can't really reach those parts to clean them. The local carwash has a pressure washer that has an engine cleaning mode that adds some shampoo and heats the water to 60 degrees celcius.

Will it hurt the engine? Did anyone else try this? Do I have to let it dry before starting? Do I have to remove the battery? Some of the things I'm worried about

Mrmerlin

I dont suggest that any water be used to rinse away any deposits on the top of the engine,
water will cause damage somewhere and your car may stop running till the damage is corrected ,
it would be best use some brake cleaner on a rag or a quick spray then wipe down ,
let the fumes clear out before starting the engine.

Note engine gunk is flammable when spraying, an errant spark from a bad ignition wire can cause it to ignite

Marine Blue

Engine cleaning is a ton of elbow grease as others have already stated. Shortcuts typically result in damaged electricals, metal corosion, plastic/rubber damage. Citrus based cleaners are best and compatiable with everything under the hood. Spray an area, scrub with a boars hair brush, spray with water and wipe. Note that you'll have to spray with water from a spray bottle or use a very gentle stream of water and rinse thoroughly. Finish by applying vinyl/rubber dressing to rubber and plastic parts.