Since I'm new to this forum and as an Excursion owner, I'm interested in finding the best techniques in cleaning your engine, particularly the diesel, as well as wash frequency. Much thanks.

 

rickbow,

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I wash my diesel only when it is STONE COLD. DO NOT wash it when it is even warm. If you start off washing when it is new you should never need a pressure washer unless you have a major oil leak.

I cover the following item with a plastic bag to keep water out on my diesels:

Alternator: to keep water out of pulley bearing.
A/C pulleys: for the same reason.

Your PSD owner’s manual will suggest other areas to protect.

I wash the engine by hand using Kit Wax Car Wash or Turtle Wax Car Wash to shine things up a bit. On dirtier areas, use Simple Green first.

After washing the engine (remove the bags!) DRIVE the vehicle running the A/C, so any water that may seep into pulley bearings will be dissipated. Drive until the normal operating temp is reached.

FC

 

Thanks Fordcruiser!

 

I realize this thread is a couple of weeks old, but everything I've read about diesels (owners manual, repair manuals, Clik & Clak FWIW) say washing a diesel is actually very harmful and should NEVER be done. Don't know why. I used to clean my gasoline engine all the time w/o problems, but I've been afraid to deal with my diesel (86 F250 6.9) because of all I've read.

 

Washing the engine is actually good, it removes those gunks and dirt to help the engine stays cool. I spray my psd with engine degreaser in a spray can ( only spray those affected areas where there lots of dirt accumulation do this when engine is cold) try to stay away from electrical/ electronics areas if you can. Let the the degreaser soak for about 15 min and rinse with water hose, my hose has a valve that I can control the intensity and spray pattern and try to get into those nooks and crannies especially on top of the engine valley, that is where most of the oil accumulate. After rinsing let it set for one hour or so, or if you have an air compressor use it to dry the electrical/electronics parts. Then start the engine to help it dry. Good luck.

jamesj