Cleaning up a greeeeesy engine

[mikeinpa]

Does anyone have recomendations for good engine degreasing products, techniques or tricks to make the job easier? My 91 XLT has had so many leaks (due to very poor maintenance by the previous owners) that its hard to see where the leaks are coming from. Im sure it is also a VERY bad idea to have 1/2 an inck of sludge built up around the engine...sounds like a fire trap to me.

I know this isnt going to be an easy (or clean job for that matter) but need to get it clean. Are all products about the same or is there one in particular I should be using? How about rinsing with high pressure water? Is this a good idea?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[rhyno]

I use Orange Clean on mine. The stuff cuts right through the grease like nothing else I have tried. I would be careful power-washing.

 

[LStoudenmire]

I have used products like Purple Stuff. Spray it on, leave it for a few minutes and spray it off. Then crank it up and let it run for a few minutes to dry the left over water.

 

[94EBexplorer]

any engine degreeser is gonna do fine... do i would not spray the block with pressure washer.. to much **** you can nock off... and to much **** you can get water in... just my .02 hey and by th way m from pa too

 

[MrShorty]

Where do you guys go to wash your engines? do you do it in the driveway and wash all that grease down the gutter, or do you go to a car wash place, or ??? I've wanted to clean mine before, but didn't like the idea of all that grease plus the degreaser to end up in places it shouldn't be.

 

[mikeinpa]

thanks for the info guys and as far as the pressure washer goes...i wasnt planning on putting a 2500 PSI pinpoint stream on it but instead just a wide fan at a good distance. Just thought a little more pressure than a gargen hose might be needed. Guess I'll stick with the garden hose in the driveway.

And MrShorty...as far as I know the places in my neck of the woods DO NOT let you wash engines because they recycle the water or something. I even know of some that forbid the washing of ATV's, Off-road vehicles, construction vehicles and farm equipment.

 

[urbanistic]

Mr. Shorty, there are places that recycle the water... washbays and whatnot. Remember, also, the water from washbays are dumped into sewage systems and not drainoff systems. So the water is treated. Do it at that type of place and the environment is in the clear... well... better than a rainwater drain to your local rive, stream, creek, or lake.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'd soak it in degreaser, and powerwash it. I have washed several motors repeatedly, and have never had a problem. I don't even bother to cover anything. A local place will steam it for $30, so you may want to look in the yellow pages. A steam clean will make it looks new again.

 

[aldive]

Never, never use high pressure water; it can cause problems and is simly not needed.

 

[DeRocha]

Never, never use high pressure water; it can cause problems and is simly not needed.

Agreed...it can force water into places it wouldn't go under normal presssure. You are also more likely to slip and blow something off, or damage a part. I would leave the powerwashing to the chassis and undercarriage.
Does anyone have a portable steamer? I used a dedicated industrial unit several yrs ago at work and it was incredible.

 

[aldive]

Take a look at the following thread on the same subject:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121007