Dirty Engine
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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?
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?
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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.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
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.
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Southwest Georgia
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.
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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
i ain't rite
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
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.
the 89 does not have a computer, and the glow plugs will not be effected in any way.
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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.
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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.
the 89 does not have a computer, and the glow plugs will not be effected in any way.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,580
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Originally Posted by seanvicious
yeah... that scared the hell out of my when my engine light came on and said it was overheating.
many times.
its amazing how fast we forget the little things, ain't it??
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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.
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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.