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cleaning my engine.

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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 02:09 PM
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Question cleaning my engine.

I have an early 99 7.3 and I do not think the engine compartment has ever been cleaned. It looks like crap. I want to get it clean so I can start looking at what I might need to mod first. What do I need to cover, avoid getting wet, Avoid hitting with the simple green, etc?
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 02:11 PM
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Cover your alternator, battery, and air filter if its exposed. Simple Green is slightly corrosive so be sure to get it all off.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 02:21 PM
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Don't forget to cover the power steering fluid and brake fluid reservoirs' caps too.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Tailgate77478
Don't forget to cover the power steering fluid and brake fluid reservoirs' caps too.
I've never heard of that being a problem...
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 02:24 PM
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I would suggest using a weed sprayer. I take dawn and some hot water and go to town.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by A/Ox4
I've never heard of that being a problem...
There's a vent hole in the power steering reservoir cap where water can get in.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 03:01 PM
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I have pressure washed my truck engine several time as well all my vehicles through the years and those of friends, I have nover covered anything. I run the engine to warm it up, then I spray the heavy grease areas with a good degreaser, let it set and then blast away with hot water or pressure washer. Of course I don't blast the crap out of the above mentioned items and I have never had a problem. It is no different then driving freeway speed througha heavy downpour.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 03:12 PM
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Then why don't our engines stay clean in a rainy season? Lol. But yea I've had luck just washing without to much precautions and so far it's worked out.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 03:30 PM
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I would do what tailgate says, unless you might want to flush your PS Fluid.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hammer65
I would do what tailgate says, unless you might want to flush your PS Fluid.
I appreciate the props. Yes, a little plastic wrap and a rubber band is all you need to cover it. Two minutes of labor to save the headache of getting water in your PS fluid seems like a no-brainer to me. If you are using a pressure washer, you really should do that.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 08:44 PM
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Them alternators are high dollar,I would cover it with a Walmart bag.
 
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