Cleaning the engine?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: McMinnville TN
Cleaning the engine?
Hey ya'll,
I noticed the intake area of my engine is NASTY. I want to pressure wash this thing. I was thinking of using some Purple Power or simple green. I really don't want to use the petroleum bases engine degreasers. And I'm going to use my pressure washer. What all should I do to prepare for the wash. All the electrical connectors have seals on them so that stuff should be ok right?
I noticed the intake area of my engine is NASTY. I want to pressure wash this thing. I was thinking of using some Purple Power or simple green. I really don't want to use the petroleum bases engine degreasers. And I'm going to use my pressure washer. What all should I do to prepare for the wash. All the electrical connectors have seals on them so that stuff should be ok right?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
The pluggs weather seals are meant to keep out splash up water and condensate not 1000psi water, some of them will leak.
Best advice is disconnect the batteries and when done unplug each connector and dryout with a hair dryer. You may also want to put a little dialectric grease in the sockets. Also dry up the fusebox before reapplying power.
I once fried the PCM and half the engine harness by useing a pressure washer while the batts were hooked up. I also had to replace the engine compartment fuse box.
Best advice is disconnect the batteries and when done unplug each connector and dryout with a hair dryer. You may also want to put a little dialectric grease in the sockets. Also dry up the fusebox before reapplying power.
I once fried the PCM and half the engine harness by useing a pressure washer while the batts were hooked up. I also had to replace the engine compartment fuse box.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 7
From: Francestown, NH
I wash my engine bay pretty frequently. I use the gunk degreasers and haven't tried the purple power or simple green so I can't comment there.
But I do avoid the power washer. I use the regular garden hose with the nozzle switched to one of the strong streams. My hose is 100' black so I snake it all over the ground in the sun and let the water in the hose get hot and I believe that helps.
I cover the FICM and alternator with a couple of plastic shopping bags.
Once I'm done I start the engine to dry it off.
I have 3 vehicles that I do this way and no issues with water getting where it shouldn't.
Hope that helps.
But I do avoid the power washer. I use the regular garden hose with the nozzle switched to one of the strong streams. My hose is 100' black so I snake it all over the ground in the sun and let the water in the hose get hot and I believe that helps.
I cover the FICM and alternator with a couple of plastic shopping bags.
Once I'm done I start the engine to dry it off.
I have 3 vehicles that I do this way and no issues with water getting where it shouldn't.
Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: McMinnville TN
Ok, yeah its probably a good idea if I don't put 2800 psi to it. I'll try the garden hose thing. And I guess I'll try the gunk too, as I just don't see purple power cutting it. Wait a minute. I have a valve on my hot water heater thats in the base ment. So I just get hot water from there! Thanks guys
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Water straight from the water heater is dangerous. Most hoses can't stand the temp and will pop. You can hook up a "Y" adapter to the washing machine supply valves and mix it down to a temp you can stand on you skin.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
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Once you get all the gunk off with your low pressure hose, spray the whole thing down with one step tire foam, and let it sit. After just a bit it'll be all shiny again.
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Spanaway
Use this stuff
Extreme Simple Green®
Aircraft & Precision Cleaner
You just spray it on a cool engine and let it sit for a bit and hose off
DON'T use the pressure washer
Extreme Simple Green
It is safe for aluminum. It also does a VERY good job.
I just this and just cold water
You can get it at any Granger Supply or if you have an airport near that
has a parts/pilot supply you should be able to find it there.
If not these guys are a good place to order from.
Here are some links
EXTREME SIMPLE GREEN AIRCRAFT CLEANER from Aircraft Spruce
or Grainger Supply
SIMPLE GREEN Cleaner Degreaser, 32 oz. - Specialty Cleaners - 6WB63|13412 - Grainger Industrial Supply
Sean
Extreme Simple Green®
Aircraft & Precision Cleaner
You just spray it on a cool engine and let it sit for a bit and hose off
DON'T use the pressure washer
Extreme Simple Green
It is safe for aluminum. It also does a VERY good job.
I just this and just cold water
You can get it at any Granger Supply or if you have an airport near that
has a parts/pilot supply you should be able to find it there.
If not these guys are a good place to order from.
Here are some links
EXTREME SIMPLE GREEN AIRCRAFT CLEANER from Aircraft Spruce
or Grainger Supply
SIMPLE GREEN Cleaner Degreaser, 32 oz. - Specialty Cleaners - 6WB63|13412 - Grainger Industrial Supply
Sean
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
If you do use the Simple Green make sure that it's not the Green one.
The Extreme Simple Green® Aircraft & Precision Cleaner is clear
and does not smell like the green stuff. It was one of the few things that
I found that would clean the under hood liner and not eat it up. You know
the foam like black stuff that gets all that engine dust/dirt. Cleaned it right up.
I have also found that this does a very nice job on spray-on bed liner.
Sean
The Extreme Simple Green® Aircraft & Precision Cleaner is clear
and does not smell like the green stuff. It was one of the few things that
I found that would clean the under hood liner and not eat it up. You know
the foam like black stuff that gets all that engine dust/dirt. Cleaned it right up.
I have also found that this does a very nice job on spray-on bed liner.
Sean
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: McMinnville TN
Thanks alot guys, and thank you Yahiko I have to go to Charleston this weekend for drill and there is a Granger supply right near the base. So I'll pick up a few gallons. I'm glad I started this thread. I thought at first it was a stupid question, but I'm glad I did. I would have been out there blastin away with the psi washer haha.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Remember even with a low pressure hose to be careful around the
electrical connection. You may want to get some dielectric grease
and be ready to clean out and dry some connections. Also a
good idea to cover some things.
Sean
electrical connection. You may want to get some dielectric grease
and be ready to clean out and dry some connections. Also a
good idea to cover some things.
Sean
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