Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Dirty Engine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 25, 2006 | 10:26 PM
  #1  
caterpillar's Avatar
caterpillar
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Dirty Engine

My 89 7.3 is pretty dirty from the 16+ years its been on the road, bought the truck from a dealarship and its been bugging me how much build up of junk is on the rocker arm covers and just the top of the engine more or less,

I am just wondering if anyone knows an easy way to get the engine clean? I have tried steam cleaining it but the doesn't work the best and i have tried putting diesel fuel on a rag and that works better for cleaning up the junk, anyone got any other ideas?
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2006 | 11:06 PM
  #2  
seanvicious's Avatar
seanvicious
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
i had my truck steam cleaned. it was insanely dirty before, with 16 years worth of grease and mud all over it. the water from the steam cleaned shorted out my transmission computer, my glow plug relay, and a bunch of other things. ended up costing me about $600, but my engine is clean as a whistle.
 
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2006 | 01:44 PM
  #3  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,455
Likes: 5,523
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
i use a scraper to get the heavy crud off, then give it a good dousing when hot with mineral spirits if i have any, on if not i use oven cleaner. let it sit for a few, then hit with the steam. takes a few times to really get it clean, but it works.
 
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2006 | 02:23 PM
  #4  
plowhand's Avatar
plowhand
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
Club FTE Gold Member
Go to kanolabs dotcom. Floway is the product that you want. Great stuff. All of their products carry a money back guarantee, if it does not work like you expect it to, they will refund your money.
 
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2006 | 04:17 PM
  #5  
94_turbo's Avatar
94_turbo
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
as transport said--oven cleaner--get the engine warm--douse with oven cleaner--then wash off--with hose--or high pressure--remember what one said about water short out--
 
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2006 | 10:49 PM
  #6  
caterpillar's Avatar
caterpillar
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
thanks i'm a little skepticle about doing anything now cause i don't want to short anything out, i guess i don't have to worry about the computer but i would have to worry about the glowplugs so if i get really ambisous i may try the oven cleaner or the kanolabs.com, thanks guys
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2006 | 03:41 AM
  #7  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,455
Likes: 5,523
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
the only thing you will wet out on the 89 will be the engine temp sender. it will dry out and start working again after 2-3 days of running. when it shorts out, it will look like it is overheating, even though the engine is ice cold and off.
the 89 does not have a computer, and the glow plugs will not be effected in any way.
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2006 | 08:13 PM
  #8  
drz400gncc's Avatar
drz400gncc
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
if u have a dollar store near u get thier brand of oven cleaner one dollar a can. works better than any name brand degreasers. dont leave it on 2 long will eat the paint off.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 29, 2006 | 08:32 PM
  #9  
seanvicious's Avatar
seanvicious
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tjc transport
the only thing you will wet out on the 89 will be the engine temp sender. it will dry out and start working again after 2-3 days of running. when it shorts out, it will look like it is overheating, even though the engine is ice cold and off.
the 89 does not have a computer, and the glow plugs will not be effected in any way.
yeah... that scared the hell out of my when my engine light came on and said it was overheating.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 03:09 PM
  #10  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,455
Likes: 5,523
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by seanvicious
yeah... that scared the hell out of my when my engine light came on and said it was overheating.
hehehe been there done that. many times. its amazing how fast we forget the little things, ain't it??
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 03:24 PM
  #11  
bilder12's Avatar
bilder12
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Pa - USA
the engine itself is pretty solid as far as washing. If you have an auto trans, stay away from the firewall below the brake master cylinder area. Also dont concentrate on the pass fender area. I always used hot water from a detuned steam cleaner and that works better than steam. I would also imagine oven cleaners would work, but personally haven't used them ... yet.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 03:59 PM
  #12  
seanvicious's Avatar
seanvicious
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tjc transport
hehehe been there done that. many times. its amazing how fast we forget the little things, ain't it??
haha, absolutely.
 
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2006 | 08:55 PM
  #13  
JMac444's Avatar
JMac444
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Personally i would think some degreasser like zep 50 which i use and a good steam cleaner would work. I have sprayed some zep 50 before i steam a motor, let it sit for a few minutes, steam thew engine and she looks like she just rolled off the assembly line.. I have steam cleaned some of the 7.3L psd which have issues with lines leaking on the turbo block ect and no electrical problems, and they have a good amount of elcetrical, just plastic off any electircal before hand and intake and you will be fine.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:47 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE