Generic engine cleaning question
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Knoxville, TN
Generic engine cleaning question
I've got the motor out for various major repairs (84 F150 302 2bbl). It has been leaking oil since 1988. As you can imagine, it looks like it has been dipped in sludge (the sludge is 1/2" deep in places). It also had an exhaust leak which has added 3 tons of soot to the top of the motor and the entire engine compartment. (I wish I had taken pictures of my clothes atfer I got it out) I'd like to do a thorough cleaning of this thing before I begin disassembilng it. Does anybody have any tricks for cleaning caked on oil & soot?
I've considered steam cleaning & degreaser, and just putting a lot of cardboard underneath to catch the gunk. Was curious as to what you guys think before I do one of these. Also considered just biting it and cleaning the parts individually as they come off.
I've considered steam cleaning & degreaser, and just putting a lot of cardboard underneath to catch the gunk. Was curious as to what you guys think before I do one of these. Also considered just biting it and cleaning the parts individually as they come off.
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From: Virginia
If you are going to rebuild it, you can get the engine shop to dip the parts in their cleaner without having to worry about the mess. You would just have to clean up a few odd pieces here and there.
That gunk engine brite works pretty good too.
That gunk engine brite works pretty good too.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: bellevue, washington
steam cleaner would work the best or a hot water pressure washer, this stuff called "oven clean" works 10 times better than engine degreaser, any oven self-cleaner spray works excellent
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EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER! works great! stuff is about as potent as rat poison but it cleaned everything off!.....including the paint under neath the grime!
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From: Pittsburgh
seeing as how the motor is out of your truck whis may or may not work, but here goes.
I typically attack with a scraper to get the big chunks and then spray it down with oven cleaner. Next I load the engine in the bed of my truck and go to the local car wash (either a quarter wash or a drive through) and let it get blasted away.
If you're tearing it down anyway it won't matter if some water gets inside and the drivethrough wash is really handy for when it's cold out or you just don't feel like getting too terribly dirty.
Justin
I typically attack with a scraper to get the big chunks and then spray it down with oven cleaner. Next I load the engine in the bed of my truck and go to the local car wash (either a quarter wash or a drive through) and let it get blasted away.
If you're tearing it down anyway it won't matter if some water gets inside and the drivethrough wash is really handy for when it's cold out or you just don't feel like getting too terribly dirty.
Justin
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From: Billings Montana
I used oven cleaner on my engine when I took it out a couple years ago and it works great. Easy-Off is my weapon of choice. Like gearhead said, it's nasty, nasty crap but it'll strip grease off an engine like nothing else.
If the grease and oil is really heavy in a few places, you might want to scrape the thicker stuff off before the oven cleaner gets sprayed on so the motor gets uber clean.
If the grease and oil is really heavy in a few places, you might want to scrape the thicker stuff off before the oven cleaner gets sprayed on so the motor gets uber clean.
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