Engine Cleaning Tips Needed
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 21
Engine Cleaning Tips Needed
I'm going to clean the Aero 4.0L this weekend, it smells really bad when parked in the garage. Figured I'd pull the alternator, air filter box, and T.B. hose. Also will pull the inside cover off and most likely the passenger seat. Will also try and clean the top of the transmission off. Any tips, other stuff (easy) to remove, or special brushes/tools. Will use my 1700 psi pressure washer, and Orange Gunk engine cleaner.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
i would not use the pressure washer, too much potential for damage to a seal, gasket, sensor or other critical component. too easy to drive water and contaminants into components.
safest product to use is one of the pour on/spray on foams that washes off with household water hose. wait the recommended time before removing.
or use a soapy detergent, liquid scented sink dish soap, use a long narrow nylon brush and scrub.
Don't hose down a hot just off the summer road engine, can warp exhaust manifolds.
is the odor gasoline or old oil/road dirt residue?
if oil, need to find the leak and repair. valve cover gaskets, intake manifold, main seals,oil pan spray back, transmission seal or gasket leaks?
cleaning will be wasted effort until leak repaired. also fire issue.
if fuel leak then it is an immediate fire safety issue.
safest product to use is one of the pour on/spray on foams that washes off with household water hose. wait the recommended time before removing.
or use a soapy detergent, liquid scented sink dish soap, use a long narrow nylon brush and scrub.
Don't hose down a hot just off the summer road engine, can warp exhaust manifolds.
is the odor gasoline or old oil/road dirt residue?
if oil, need to find the leak and repair. valve cover gaskets, intake manifold, main seals,oil pan spray back, transmission seal or gasket leaks?
cleaning will be wasted effort until leak repaired. also fire issue.
if fuel leak then it is an immediate fire safety issue.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
i've done many car shows with my other car. the best and easiest i've found that doesn't cause damage to the paint from overspray.... is simple green. works everytime. on caked up grease, let it stick a while longer, and occasionally spray it again with simple green. you will see the gunk turn white and dry. hose it off with garden hose well. let the engine dry and you're done. only setback with simple green is you HAVE to rinse it off WELL, if not it will leave white residue on the surface. do this in the shade. following the bottle's instruction also helps.
i've used this simple green on my hinge area, door jambs, door sills, and it comes out clean. it is a must when the car is competing in a car show.
i've used this simple green on my hinge area, door jambs, door sills, and it comes out clean. it is a must when the car is competing in a car show.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 21
Valve Cover gasket leaked last year, decided to replace both, and didn't leave me any time to do a through cleaning while I had everything apart. No leaks at present, at least the garage floor is dry. Old oil smell is really bad in 95 degree garage.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
agree old oil does stink.
simple green has a great after cleaning bouquet.
thanks aerovan,
I'll use that the next time i soak the rear carpet with salmon leakage out of the cooler bung on a hot day. odor is strong enough to puke a dog off a gut wagon.
warm engine and simple green with hot water. maybe a hose canister sprayer or a pump up sprayer to reach the nooks and crannies.
simple green has a great after cleaning bouquet.
thanks aerovan,
I'll use that the next time i soak the rear carpet with salmon leakage out of the cooler bung on a hot day. odor is strong enough to puke a dog off a gut wagon.
warm engine and simple green with hot water. maybe a hose canister sprayer or a pump up sprayer to reach the nooks and crannies.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
I just use brushes of all kinds and wet down the whole engine with engine cleaner and start scubbing and rubbing. It does take longer the first time. After that I stay on top of it.
Once I get the whole engine,tranny and under carrage clean I spray the whole thing down with engine dressing, and seal the underside with a spray on rust proofing.
Once I get the whole engine,tranny and under carrage clean I spray the whole thing down with engine dressing, and seal the underside with a spray on rust proofing.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 21
Cleaned the engine today, IMA you can leave Citrus Gunk engine cleaner on the shelf. First can only got half the cleaner out before the propellant ran out. Cut the top of the can off. Was carefull with the second can, same thing, the stupid valve is supposed to be spray or steam never did work right. Got a lot of blow back in face, thats when I found out the stuff is gentle enough to wash you face with. Smelled good till after rinse and dry, left greasy film that stunk when the van was run. Most of the old oil is on cross members.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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and hence i recommended using simple green. at work, we use synthetic grease made by kluber. this grease will never wash off with water. meaning it will stick and stick no matter how much water has flush through it. the cleaning cloth/rags we've used are then washed in a washing machine. no detergent would get it off. but simple green takes it off without much affort at all.
give it a shot... this simple green can be used not only on the car, but also around the house, like greasy stove and such.
give it a shot... this simple green can be used not only on the car, but also around the house, like greasy stove and such.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Houston,TX
yeah...my wife got a hold of mine and I just couldn't seem to get it back. she even uses it on my clothes after I've been rolling around in tranny fluid. finally resorted to buying another bottle and hiding it in the van.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
years ago I used an engine cleaner on an old Ford Y block V8, the type that had external lubrication from the valve covers. college complained so had to do something.
don't rememeber the brand or product name but it worked, smelled like a mixture of nampha, nitromethane and napalm, cleaned everything off to bright metal. remember the can warning, can cause damage to rubber hoses! DO NOT USE IN VICINITY OF OPEN FLAME.
I'm sure the stuff would be EPA unlawful now.
don't rememeber the brand or product name but it worked, smelled like a mixture of nampha, nitromethane and napalm, cleaned everything off to bright metal. remember the can warning, can cause damage to rubber hoses! DO NOT USE IN VICINITY OF OPEN FLAME.
I'm sure the stuff would be EPA unlawful now.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
simple green automotive version
simple green original version
simple green's website.
http://consumer.simplegreen.com/