by "mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin)
Published 08/01/2017 at 11:50
by "mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin)
Published 08/01/2017 at 11:50
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STARS: 0
Specially engine bays; however, I’ll take whatever you’ve got.
I’ve heard purple power, simple green, Megs Super Degreaser , kerosene, brake cleaner, carb cleaner, oven cleaner, lye/Detergent home-brew, hot engine, cold engine, always power wash, never power wash, diesel, gasoline, ATF, and a few dozen other recommendations.
If you had an engine (still in the vehicle) that looked like the above, what would you do to clean it?
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/01/2017 at 11:53, STARS: 0
I’ve had really good luck by heading to a coin-op wash, covering the distributor and fuse panel with some plastic bags, and soaking everything with simple green for 10-15 minutes. Just keep spraying it continuously. Then gently wash with water.
Bonus of simple green is that it’s not as expensive as Gunk or other aerosol engine bay sprays and it won’t cause rubber to swell like brake cleaner.
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
08/01/2017 at 11:57, STARS: 0
I put a tarp under it and used Simple Green on the Cougar. It works well. For some of the funkier stuff, I’d have to add a scrub brush to the mix to get it really clean.
Brake cleaner works well for oil/grease, but not the thick grime.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/01/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
08/01/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 0
Find a truck stop with a steam wash?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/01/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 1
With my family? Leaf blower and a garden hose. But then you probably already figured that out.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
08/01/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
I second simple green, it is an excellent degreaser while not being destructive to your engine parts or the environment. So soak in simple green, then power wash carefully, cover the electrical bits.
"Wagonlife740" (wagonlife740)
08/01/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 1
Power washer! Lots of brake cleaner. mmmmm.... that picture makes me excited to get mine on the stand. Just a few more weeks of cleaning/organizing and making space (getting rid of the parts car). BTW.... anyone in southern Wisconsin have a set of crappy 1980s Volvo wheels?
"razorbeamteam" (razorbeamteam)
08/01/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 0
This made me cringe, especially the full blast to the dashboard
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
08/01/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 1
I’ve had good luck with these for the initial cleaning. Spray, let it sit, scrape. Repeat. Rinse.
Then once most of the chunky/thick stuff is off, Simple Green and brushes/rags.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
08/01/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 2
First things first: scrape away that thick caked-on stuff; don’t make the degreaser do all the work.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
08/01/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 4
at this point, that gunk is working just as hard as any gasket to keep the engine oil in.........
"6Spaz6" (6spaz6)
08/01/2017 at 12:15, STARS: 0
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/how-to-clean-your-engine-bay-so-well-you-could-eat-off-1796805746
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
08/01/2017 at 12:19, STARS: 1
Gunk.
"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
08/01/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 2
somethign like this is pretty good.
from amazon it’s prett cheap (cheaper than the local auto store at least). the foamy whatever means it sticks for a bit and really loosens stuff.
from there I agitate with a brush. then rinse.
usually thats enough, but if its super crappy further scrubbing is applied with old car cleaning sponges and green dish cleaning scotch pads for tougher areas.
"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
08/01/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 1
he’s not kidding.
I thoroughly cleaned under my car once and the steering rack started leaking.
removal and rebuild confirmed it was indeed the gunk that was holding the goo inside until I chunked of a decade of gunk
"Svend" (svend)
08/01/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0
I know a lot of truck drivers who use Gunk.
I use Autobrite Jaffa Clean which is a cleaner, degreaser and protectant in one. Safely wash off excess debris. Spray on Jaffa Clean, agitate with some brushes and then using plenty of microfibre cloths, wipe the engine down or rinse off. Allow to dry and then dress further with 303 Aerospace Protectant.
I usually keep on top of the engine bays of the cars I clean so they don’t really get all that dirty.
"Master Cylinder" (mastercylinder28)
08/01/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 0
Simple Green and a nylon brush works better than anything else I’ve tried, but you should make sure to rinse often as it can cause oxidation if left on aluminum parts.
Those foaming spray-on engine degreasers work OK, not as well as SG+elbow grease, but but easier to use. I recommend doing that at one of those coin-op car washes, though.