Any special concerns about cleaning engine?

[s219]

I did some grading with a box blade today, and my B2920 got caked with dust. I hosed it off when I got home, but didn't clean the engine since it had been running at high RPM for a couple hours and was still quite hot. I'd like to hose it off tomorrow or the next day, with the engine just warmed up a little.

Since I haven't cleaned the engine of a diesel tractor before, is there anything to worry about? I figure I will stuff a rag in the intake snorkel, wet the engine down, spray with some simple green, and then hose off a few minutes later (this is my normal procedure for car engines).

Also, since I was operating in a dusty environment for a few hours, should I attempt to clean out the air intake or air filter (probably with an air nozzle at low PSI), or just leave it be?

thanks,
219

 

[namesray]

i skid logs out of the woods and times when it is real dry, it will get REAL dusty. last year there was a spell i actually had to stop operations due to it being too dry. i was blowing out air filters twice a day and wearing a dust mask while working. the logging roads were like flour. most kubota engines have 2 air filters. only clean the outter one. don't touch the inner one only when replacing. i have used low pressure compressed air to blow out the outter air filter many times. i always replace both air filters once a year. i also use an electric pressure washer on my tractor, engine too, and have never had any trouble. i turn the pressure way down when i do the engine and i don't spray the engine with any cleaner. just water. also i don't spray it when it is hot. i try to avoid the alternator and the air filter housing area. i do try to lightly mist them but am very careful about angles of the water. like i say, i haven't had any problems. i usually wash the tractor every 50 hours like this. i think you will be ok too doing this. heck, at my main job we spray the engines in our heavy equipment/dump trucks all the time.

 

[OrangeRidge]

Use an air hose on the engine . Water and wires ........ not good , or necessary imo . Def check the air filter , but the rest is cosmetic.

 

[big bubba]

i routinely blow out my outer air filter.....rather than use a compressed air nozzle that could damage the air filter element, i use a common 2 cycle blower that you use in your yard.....simple insert the blower outlet (may have to remove the flanged connection on the blower tube) into the air filter....does great job! like to blow from inside to out.
like prev. poster mentioned, leave the inner filter alone. really, this should be done on a regular basis...air & engine oil quality are the lifeblood of a diesel.

 

[kcender]

Kubota also recommends that the outer air filter can be washed out up to six times before replacing.I have washed mine and was surprised at how much dirt came out of it.

 

[kuboman]

Blow it off and stay away with the water. Water gets in where it does no good.

 

[vabiker23518]

My TYM T233 gets really dusty too and after bush hogging, the screen in front of the radiator gets really clogged. The compressed air is good, but I don't have it. I have used my leaf blower after each "tractor use" with great results. Really gets the dust off the engine and radiator screen.

 

[art]

Not only does air work well from an air hose or a leaf blower but it is what I perfer to use. When using water it often will push it back into a corner and it will stay there allowing the metal to rust! Think of electrical connections, as well for places to get contaminated with wet dirt.
With mower decks many people will bring out the garden hose or pressure washer and often when we are working on them under the spindle pulleys there is often grass built up from previous washings and they stay wet whch starts rusting the decks out and weakening that area.

 

[s219]

Well, I gave it a shot with my air nozzle, but it didn't help much -- the dust was really caked on. So I got out the water hose and had it clean in a few squirts. Looks great. The engine is painted and weatherproofed far better than car engines, so I'm not worried about any issues, especially since I am always careful. I let it drip dry, and then idled the engine to warm everything up and finish the job.

 

[BeezFun]

I'd ditto the other posters on using air, not water. I've never washed my tractor but I use compressed air to clean it often. I need to use the compressed air anyway to keep the filter and radiator clear, not much extra work to hit everything else at the same time.