Cleaning engines
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Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 62
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Cleaning engines
I'm getting ready to pull the intake on my 302 to replace the gaskets. i also want to clean the rest of the engine due to grease build up. how should i go about doing this. i don't want to get moisture up in it but i don't want a black motor any methods or ideas that can help me with my dilema
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: AZ
I would say to clean up the gasket area and replace the intake etc. Once it is all put back together, cover the carb and the wiring and spray simple green or something like that all over then power wash the engine...
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Gasoline and a paint spayer?
Got yourself an instant carburator there, atomizing that fuel right in the air! I sure hope there's no ignition sources in the immediate vicinity!
I generally use the do-it-yourself carwash or my pressure washer (after some pre-soak from a good engine cleaner like Castrol Superclean) to really blast the gunk out of there. I hate working on a greasy, nasty engine. Yes, I realize you said you don't want to get moisture in it, and what I do is to clean it a day or so ahead of time so it has time to dry out before I tear into it. All the better if it runs and you can drive it to generate engine heat to dry things.
Of course, there are always areas that I miss...places the direct spray of water doesn't quite get into (as well as the difficulty of seeing what you're doing becase of the spray) and I sometimes have to take a break and check things aout between applications but a couple of shots at it usually gets rid of the worst of the mess, and then the hand work and scraping with the putty knife, screwdrivers for tight areas, some solvent and a parts brush, not to mention a wire brush for the tough stuff. A lot of work, but worth it in the end.
Got yourself an instant carburator there, atomizing that fuel right in the air! I sure hope there's no ignition sources in the immediate vicinity!I generally use the do-it-yourself carwash or my pressure washer (after some pre-soak from a good engine cleaner like Castrol Superclean) to really blast the gunk out of there. I hate working on a greasy, nasty engine. Yes, I realize you said you don't want to get moisture in it, and what I do is to clean it a day or so ahead of time so it has time to dry out before I tear into it. All the better if it runs and you can drive it to generate engine heat to dry things.
Of course, there are always areas that I miss...places the direct spray of water doesn't quite get into (as well as the difficulty of seeing what you're doing becase of the spray) and I sometimes have to take a break and check things aout between applications but a couple of shots at it usually gets rid of the worst of the mess, and then the hand work and scraping with the putty knife, screwdrivers for tight areas, some solvent and a parts brush, not to mention a wire brush for the tough stuff. A lot of work, but worth it in the end.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Along the same lines as the OP's question, once the engine is clean, any tips on keeping it that way? I'm about to put a nice clean engine in and don't want it to end up looking like the one I'm taking out.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: AZ
I keep mine clean with the same pressure washer method. You just have to be careful to cover up or avoid spraying sensitive areas too much like wiring, carb, etc.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
You can also use easy off over cleaner to remove pretty much anything. If it is heavy dirt a little scrubbing will also go a long way. For the lighter stuff I use "oil eater" found at home depot. Oil eater is not as strong as easy off but it does do wonders. Just be sure to wash them off before 30 minutes on bare aluminum, it will etch (dark gray spots) metal otherwise.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 36
From: British Columbia
I agree that the oven cleaner is a great way to clean off an engine, but disagree with the statement that it is a "carbon based cleaner". The active ingredient is caustic soda, aka sodium hydroxide, aka lye etc. It feels slimy because it chemically attacks your skin (although fairly slowly), saponifying the fat in the skin and turning it into soap.
It's amazing we can still buy the stuff.
To get rid of the sliminess, just sprinkle a little vinegar on your hands if any of the caustic cleaners get on them. Being a mild acid, it neutralizes the caustic (alkali) and gets rid of the sliminess immediately, and stops further attack on your skin.
It's amazing we can still buy the stuff.
To get rid of the sliminess, just sprinkle a little vinegar on your hands if any of the caustic cleaners get on them. Being a mild acid, it neutralizes the caustic (alkali) and gets rid of the sliminess immediately, and stops further attack on your skin.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Instead of using gasoline, which is extremely dangerous, just use kerosene or diesel fuel. It will break down even the thick layers of buildup that are usually hardest to remove. Spray it on with a hand held spray bottle and allow close to a half hour to soak. Pressure wash it off and then use some simple green or degreaser of some kind which will remove any remaining kerosene/diesel.
When I used this method I get much better results than any degreaser alone has done for me. Also, it doesn't attack metals, rubber or plastics like oven cleaners will.
When I used this method I get much better results than any degreaser alone has done for me. Also, it doesn't attack metals, rubber or plastics like oven cleaners will.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,517
Likes: 2,825
Gasoline....works great, but read the list in what's in it and how it can pass through your skin and what happens next.... not good.
Plus, you will have the worst 3 last days of your life if it goes up.
Imagine being brought out of your medically induced coma and having the morphine backed off so you can say goodbye to your family.
My dad used gasoline to clean stuff all the time. Died of leukemia just short of 70 in a family where 85-90 is the usual. Is there a link? Why test it?
Plus, you will have the worst 3 last days of your life if it goes up.
Imagine being brought out of your medically induced coma and having the morphine backed off so you can say goodbye to your family.
My dad used gasoline to clean stuff all the time. Died of leukemia just short of 70 in a family where 85-90 is the usual. Is there a link? Why test it?