Engine cleaning.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,202
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From: Frederick MD
Engine cleaning.
So I am getting ready to wipe things down under the hood. What do you all do or recommend? I doubt I am going to flow any water on it. But wanted to see how the group did it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 7
From: Francestown, NH
I wash mine in the warmer months so I lay my black hose in the sun to get some free hot water.
Then I cover the FICM and alternator with plastic shopping bags.
Then I spray simple green or Gunk engine degreaser everywhere and let it sit.
Then spray down with the warm water using a household spray attachment on the hose but I don't blast anything.
Then remove the bags and run the engine to dry it.
I've never had a problem doing this for years on a few vehicles.
Member "Nice Work Truck" has one of the best kept engine bays I've ever seen. Maybe he will chime in.
Then I cover the FICM and alternator with plastic shopping bags.
Then I spray simple green or Gunk engine degreaser everywhere and let it sit.
Then spray down with the warm water using a household spray attachment on the hose but I don't blast anything.
Then remove the bags and run the engine to dry it.
I've never had a problem doing this for years on a few vehicles.
Member "Nice Work Truck" has one of the best kept engine bays I've ever seen. Maybe he will chime in.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,235
Likes: 753
From: Houston, Texas
I wash mine in the warmer months so I lay my black hose in the sun to get some free hot water.
Then I cover the FICM and alternator with plastic shopping bags.
Then I spray simple green or Gunk engine degreaser everywhere and let it sit.
Then spray down with the warm water using a household spray attachment on the hose but I don't blast anything.
Then remove the bags and run the engine to dry it.
I've never had a problem doing this for years on a few vehicles.
Member "Nice Work Truck" has one of the best kept engine bays I've ever seen. Maybe he will chime in.
Then I cover the FICM and alternator with plastic shopping bags.
Then I spray simple green or Gunk engine degreaser everywhere and let it sit.
Then spray down with the warm water using a household spray attachment on the hose but I don't blast anything.
Then remove the bags and run the engine to dry it.
I've never had a problem doing this for years on a few vehicles.
Member "Nice Work Truck" has one of the best kept engine bays I've ever seen. Maybe he will chime in.
Except I don't cover the FICM, maybe I should do that
Simple green works awesome as long as you use the full concentrace and let it sit. Speaking of engine cleaning, I'm long overdue, my engine is getting a little dirty for my tastes.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,235
Likes: 753
From: Houston, Texas
I'm sure those folks at the car wash you go to wouldn't mind cleaning it for you.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
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From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Most of the time Wd40 and lots of wiping. Maybe once a year or longer, Gunk or similar. If it gets real muddy or dirty I will spray the front suspension and crossmember areas and the underside of the hood with the power washer (medium nozzle). I used to use it on the whole engine and just avoid the alternator and areas with a lot of wiring, but I did get some water in a connector or two so I quit doing that.
Posting Guru
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From: Francestown, NH
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Lead Driver
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I power wash the 6.0 engines no worries. Do it with the engine running and avoid aiming at the FICM.
I use furniture polish to really brighten up the "black" work; hoses, wiring, plastics, etc.
Josh
I use furniture polish to really brighten up the "black" work; hoses, wiring, plastics, etc.
Josh
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,235
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From: Houston, Texas
I once took the '01 to a car wash to have it detailed and forgot one of the rear quarter panels open. They couldn't figure out how to close it so they started pressing on the glass with their hand. I saw what was going on, ran over, and closed the window before they broke it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
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From: Tennessee
I spray mine with Simple Green Concentrate and use the garden hose spray nozzle without covering anything. I do this at every wash without any problems on my 6.0 and my Ranger 3.0. The other 3.0 engines with recessed plugs and individual coil packs are a different animal.
Lead Driver
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From: Ouray, CO
Lifetime membership to become a moderator. Hehehehe
Posting Guru
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From: Francestown, NH
Yeah I got the 3yr subscription but my user page says I can identify myself as a silver member?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: CT
I wash mine in the warmer months so I lay my black hose in the sun to get some free hot water.
Then I cover the FICM and alternator with plastic shopping bags.
Then I spray simple green or Gunk engine degreaser everywhere and let it sit.
Then spray down with the warm water using a household spray attachment on the hose but I don't blast anything.
Then remove the bags and run the engine to dry it.
I've never had a problem doing this for years on a few vehicles.
Member "Nice Work Truck" has one of the best kept engine bays I've ever seen. Maybe he will chime in.
Then I cover the FICM and alternator with plastic shopping bags.
Then I spray simple green or Gunk engine degreaser everywhere and let it sit.
Then spray down with the warm water using a household spray attachment on the hose but I don't blast anything.
Then remove the bags and run the engine to dry it.
I've never had a problem doing this for years on a few vehicles.
Member "Nice Work Truck" has one of the best kept engine bays I've ever seen. Maybe he will chime in.
Thanks Piolet
I cover the alt and air filter.
I just spray it down with simple green, hose it down with low pressure hose and then drive her till dry.
When it is dry I spray it with a 50/50mix of Adams Polishes VRT and water.
Not bad for almost 100k on it.
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