I'm looking to clean my engine and under the hood entirely. Anybody have a good recommendation as to a good product that I can use? I have a 2003 F350 7.3L that has never been cleaned (I just bought it) and had a fuel line burst and fill the engine compartment with diesel. I'm looking for a good foaming agent or something I can spray all over the place and wash off. I'll maintain it once its clean, and I have no problem getting dirty, but for future issues (such as leaks) I would be much easier to diagnose problems if I could trace a leak instead of just seeing drips and having no idea where they're coming from because everything is filthy. I'm open to all suggestions and advice, so let it fly!

 

Simple Green works as well as anything: Simple Green Heavy-Duty Cleaner

 

I liked Black Magiks engine foam, but my engine was pretty clean to start with. Depending on how crazy you want to get, stop by the dollar store. Get toilet brushes, the bristle type is nice for heavy deposits, and the foam types are nice to break the smears loose. Also pick up some spray bottles so you can spray your cleaner on the bad spots and keep pushing the trash down.

Once it's clean, a great trick is to mix window cleaner and vinyl dressing. Spray on a cold engine, shut the hood and run for 15 minutes. Very shiny results.

 

Rose, I had a 99 7.3 and now an 04 6.0, my mechanic who races and shows mustangs turned me on to, you won't believe it, scrubbing bubbles from Walmart. I used to use Gunk and Armerol. He cussed me out. Way to corrosive he said. I switched, it's awesome. After I get her clean, I soak up all standing water, crank it up to evap. remaining water. Once up to temp, shut it off. To dress it up I went to Advanced Auto, bought a Gallon jug of WD40 and a $1 spray bottle. Filled it up and sprayed the engine down, don't drench it. WD is a water displacement. My mechanic has acutally won shows with this system. Good luck.

 

You just leave the wd on there?

 

Yep, when I apply it, it's just a light coating, never enough to puddle up.