Cleaning the Motor
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19
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Cleaning the Motor
The motor on my new/old '87 is in bad need of a good cleaning. I see the sparkplugs have got a pretty deep well -- are there any precautions that need to be taken to protect them and wires before I coat it with Simple Green and then hose it out a couple of times?
Thanks!
-Bob
Thanks!
-Bob
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 763
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From: home
Cleaning the Motor
The 50- 70 model cars can be cleaned as you are doing with the finale cleaning at a car wash using the hand wand with plenty of soap. The only problems where water in the coil or under the distributor cap. The 1980 and up cars have many more electrical connections and they do not like water entering them. Years ago I cleaned the engine on an 84 Ford v8 and the thin film module on the side of distributor went out. Try not to get water in the connectors, use compressed air to dry out around the spark plugs. Be careful and good luck.
1989 Bronco II XlT
1992 F150 XLT ext cab
1993 Aerostar AWD
1974 Ford Maverick
1989 Bronco II XlT
1992 F150 XLT ext cab
1993 Aerostar AWD
1974 Ford Maverick
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Linwood, N.J. USA!
Cleaning the Motor
Besides the electrical components, you have to be careful that you don't wash the dirt, grease, and cleaning detergent into areas where they can do damage. For example, washing it into the alternator. (I know, electrical).
Another thing is that keep in mind that sometimes the little bit of gook that is on a motor may be keeping a gasket or seal from leaking. I have had certain parts of a motor start to leak from a seal or gasket after washing it down. Either it was a small leak that was temp sealed from leaked oil and dirt. Or, dirt was washed into/up against a seal thus causing it to wear and leak.
You just have to be careful. Good luck. Jake.
Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.
Another thing is that keep in mind that sometimes the little bit of gook that is on a motor may be keeping a gasket or seal from leaking. I have had certain parts of a motor start to leak from a seal or gasket after washing it down. Either it was a small leak that was temp sealed from leaked oil and dirt. Or, dirt was washed into/up against a seal thus causing it to wear and leak.
You just have to be careful. Good luck. Jake.
Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19
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Cleaning the Motor
I've been playing with other makes so long that I had completely forgotten that line of rationale, about not cleaning too much...it makes sense now as it did many years ago. Thanks for reminding me! I'll take it a piece at a time and see how it goes.
-Bob
-Bob
