cleaning engine (HELP)

[EB2K]

i desperately need some info on cleaning engines. I am in high school, so it makes me feel good to pull up in the school parking lot with mud caked on my vehicle (91 xlt). the only problem is the mud all over the engine. i have never had any problems because of it except for a dirty oil filter, but i woyld just like to get it a little cleaner. does anyone have any advice for me? is there something to put over the whole in the front wheel wells that would keep mud from splashing in it so much?

 

[<<MONOCHROMOUS>>]

i have seen plastic inserts for wheel wells that made for lifted vehicles. you have to cut them to fit exactly, but they are made with the correct contour. i dont remember where i saw them, maybe explorer express??? check there

 

[rock883]

I think you were asking about how to celan out the enigne, or maybe some tips. If so, I have done this numerous times, and can give you some advice.

If you have a KKM or any open air filter, cover it with a grocery bag, along with the alternator, and the coil pack. Then, after that, get some GOOD degreaser formula. You can get some engine degreaser at car parts places, get about 2 or 3 cans. I use some liquid stuff called all pro, I get it from work, I have no idea whre they get it from, but it does wonders, and its free for me. But, just spray the degreaser all over, get the valve covers real good, the water pump was caked on mine, just look for heavily greasy spots, and get, preferibly, a pressure washer, if not a good pressured hose, and spray off all the things you sprayed with degreaser. You may need to repeat the whole process because some places are very dirty. Oh yeah, really get the PS box, those things get extremly dirty, and it will just look better after you do it. Hopefully I have helped.

 

[<<MONOCHROMOUS>>]

other than the few things you have listed, do i run any risk of damaging any other parts with the degreaser, hoses, belts, wires, etc? i just want to be sure before i start spraying stuff all over my engine!

 

[IgotTwo]

Its an old post, but let me add something to the chatter.
I clean the engines and undercarriages on my Explorers, car and PU all the time.

I found they took all “the good stuff” out of the over the counter degreasers. So I “selectively” use a little kerosene in either a spray bottle and with or without a parts brush to get the tough spots.

When you're finished you always have a faint petroleum smell (one of these cruisers is my wife's and one is my daughter’s, so you can fill in the blanks)
For the final go round, I spray it all down with a heavy duty household cleaner. It takes away most of the smell and helps dilute the degreaser and kerosene you just on the driveway. I get this no name stuff at Costco. Its cheap and I use it for everything greasy and dirty. Spray bottle method makes it easy.

Want to be really **** retentive?
I have one of those electric leaf blowers (Tim Allen type with many, many amps.) I use it to get rid of the excess water in the engine compartment and from places it shouldn't have found its way to. If you have to degrease it twice, there’s no sense spraying that stuff on top of water. It also gives you a better chance to get it started the first time. (true, but cranking up the compressor can be a hassle)

“Beyond **** retentive?:”
Those leaf blowers are a handy item to have around.
I use it for a quick and pretty thorough interior “vacuuming”. I open all the doors, batten down any loose stuff, aim for an opening and let it wail. Anything under the seats doesn’t have a chance.

Hey, it all works for me. Hope its helpful.