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Radiator failed and made a bigger mess of my already dirty engine compartment. While radiator is out I figure this is a good time to clean.
Is this concentrated Simple Green safe to use everywhere after protecting only the alternator - i.e. safe for aluminum, plastics, rubber, wiring, electrical connections, batteries?
I started using Simple Green after I saw the aircraft maintenance crews were using it to clean everything from an F-16 to a KC-135. The maintenance crews had to comply with local and federal water runoff laws and Simple Green is not harmful to the environment. This was important to me as each time I wash a vehicle, there is a good chance the water runoff ends up in the pond. I have been using Simple Green for many years and never had a problem.
That said, this is what the Simple Green website says about aluminum.
This is my engine bay after a Simple Green bath and a good rinse. I have heard good things about Purple Power as well and it is also biodegradable. I may give that a shot soon...
Thanks Sous! I will be sure to keep exposure to less than 5 minutes, just a quick spray and rinse to get antifreeze and light grime off before replacing the radiator. BTW - that was the original radiator and it is no wonder she failed. All the fins were completely filled with 20 years of dirt, and various unknown things that got sucked through the AC and charge air coolers. Surprisingly those 2 had only a bit of light dust when I blew them out.
I've been using either purple power diluted( or that other brand) or simple green for like 20 years now. I've also never covered an alternator or anything else, just careful not to spray things that shouldn't get wet too much, and don't put purple power full strength on things you don't want to lose gloss in the paint, or etch aluminum etc. But it can come in very handy getting the thick stuff off.
Recently since picking up a free 4 gpm 1500 psi electric diesel fired steam cleaner that "didn't work" i use much less de-greaser. If you have access to one of these id highly recommend.
This is in over 25 different trucks of all kinds I've always kept my engines clean obsessively, even the beaters.
I like to time this to where I'm scheduled to make at least 20-30 minute drive afterwards so most of the moisture gets gone.
I used it on mine, small area at a time then cleaned. I also used Brake cleaner on some extra dirty areas like the valley and kept dabbing it up with paper towels and a screwdriver. Don't forget to cover the power steering cap, water sits on top of it and drips thru the tiny vent hole. Once you get it clean it's easier to just keep after it and not let it get bad again. Whenever I'm at the DIY car wash I pop the hood and look around and hit a few carefully chosen spots with the wand, like the CAC boots on the intercooler etc. I also look underneath and blast that too.
I've used the 1/3 dilluted HD simple green for general cleaning. And brake cleaner or a rag with naphtha for the super encrusted grade that won't come off any other way. If that doesn't work it's time to dig out the plastic scraper.
Job is done, new radiator installed. Also replaced heater core and coolant tubes while at it. Still need to flush cooling system and change engine and tranny fluids as I am sure they have degraded from limping home with degraded cooling (oil temp well over 250). Thanks to all for advice!
