Cleaning engine

[drjay9051]

OK. My fuel bowl cracked and engine is a mess. Anybody use one of those engine cleaners found in auto parts store? Stuff like gunk.

Is it safe? Do i need to wrap all electrical connections in saran wrap.?

 

[gkh7890]

I have always used products like Simple Green and some of the concentrated (mix w/ water) cleaners and had very good success with them. If you have a power washer, I don't recommend using it at full power....just be careful with it as you could take the paint off potentially. Good luck!

 

[ultrarunner]

Use Gunk all the time...

Works better with warm engine and soak time.

Keeping water away from electrical components is always a good idea... especially the ignition system if so equipped...

After power washing on low setting, run the engine till dry and leave out in the sun all day...

Year ago, I would wash a couple of engines a day...

If the area is small... simple green with a brush and garden hose would work too.

Also... avoid cold water on a hot engine... exhaust manifolds don't take well to thermal shock.

 

[ajmbonaire]

I've always used automobile wheel cleaner. Spray it on, let it sit and wash it off. Cleans as well as anything else I have tried.

 

[whistlepig]

I tried Simple Green and much prefer it to anything else I have ever used. Try some.

 

[VictorW]

I've also used Simple Green. Did a 50-50 mix with water and used it in a spray bottle to hit everything. Waited about 10 minutes and then used hot water from a garden hose to rinse and finish the cleaning. It worked well for me.

 

[PoorMansCat]

I would also suggest simple green or "purple power" .... one of the biodegradeable cleaners... Last time I used a can of GUNk, it was basically solvent in a can... (petroleum based)... If you are trying to wash off diesel, gunk is a similar petroleum... so Im not really sure how much it will really help..
As others have said, don't wash a hot engine, it tends to cause water to wick into connectors and is hard on hot metals.. Once you get it washed and rinsed, run the engine to full operating temperature to thoroughly dry the engine...

 

[whistlepig]

Gunk sometimes leaves whitish dried streaks. It also seems to "scald" the paint. Simple Green looks better than Gunk after I wash my motor with it. Keeps the shine and wet look in it.

 

[MotorSeven]

Another vote for Simple Green, fantastic stuff. For de-greasing I use it straight and spray it on a cold engine with a squirt bottle. Wait 5 min and rinse. I use it diluted for washing the trucks and motorcycles, but remember it can etch aluminium, so don't let it sit for long and rinse well when using it on a bike.

 

[kraftykeltic]

Go to the por-15 website and order their marine clean. Excellent degreaser for most things when mixed to the directions. Removes all grease and oil. if there is bare metal it will rust almost immediately.