Cleaning Engine?

[shankomatic76]

Whats the best way to clean you engine after a good 4 wheeling trip. All the mud everywhere can't be too go for my explorer lol. :exporange

 

[Sallad420]

put a plastic bag over your intake, if it's exposed, then hose the heck out of it.

I always wash my engine bay out every time I get the truck washed.

 

[jimbo74]

be very careful, a lot of places wont allow you to wash engines/engine bays

 

[CADDYBILL]

I use simple green a brush and a hose. Never had any problems at all.

 

[spindlecone]

As above with the intake, on a cool engine spray it down with simple green, let set 5 mins, hose it down than I use a yard blower to get rid of any excess water and drive it, works for me and simple green is non-toxic

 

[J. Kennedy]

and cover up your alt with a plastic baggie

 

[CodePoet]

never thought of using a leaf blower to dry the bay out lol....my dad would love to do that (finds any reason he can to start the leaf blower). Where are you all getting simple green? I'm just curious since i haven't seen it anywhere (haven't looked before though).

later
cp

 

[X~FACTOR]

on a cool engine spray it down with simple green

This is a good point. Never wash a hot engine. Your engine block, intake, heads, could crack. This happened to my Father's old VW GTI. A routine engine wash turned out costing him $400.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

be careful on those ohc engines, not sure on ex's or rangers, but on my car the plugs go down into the top of the head

the spark-plug holes that go into the head can fill up with water and cause misfires

 

[Sallad420]

You would think that any water that got trapped around the plugs would boil away within minutes of starting the engine.

 

[kfkodiak]

never thought of using a leaf blower to dry the bay out lol....my dad would love to do that (finds any reason he can to start the leaf blower). Where are you all getting simple green? I'm just curious since i haven't seen it anywhere (haven't looked before though).

later
cp

Home Depot has it, or anywhere with a decent cleaning supply section should.

 

[spindlecone]

Ditto the above, buy it by the gallon, is the best grease cutter short of gasoline bar none, non-toxic, you can brush your teeth with it (never tried), one minor word of caution, do not let it set more than about 10 mins and rinse well, it can discolor Aluminum, I find 5 mins works for me and I clean my engine once a month, never had a problem

 

[X~FACTOR]

I use Castrol Degreaser in spray bottle form. Strong stuff. After washing run the engine to dry and spray some Armor-All or the like to bring the shine back.

 

[DMan446]

I know it may sound bad but you can get that Coastal Power Clean from any AutoZone. Pretty cheap and works very well. CAUTION, cleaner will eat aluminum if left on too long.

 

[slag]

I know it may sound bad but you can get that Coastal Power Clean from any AutoZone. Pretty cheap and works very well. CAUTION, cleaner will eat aluminum if left on too long.

Exactly what I use. Works well. Nail it with power clean, wait 10 mins, then pressure wash off.

I also use it on my garage floor. Scrub it in with a brush, wait 10 mins, then pressure wash off. It takes off grease, ATF, PS fluid, etc.