Engine cleaning

[Chugbug]

I really need to clean the engine on my BX25. Been doing a lot of gravel work (mostly 411's some call it rusher run) and the dust is caked on. I've tried blowing it if but really doesn't help much. Any sugestions? Would using an engine cleaner with water be OK (not high pressure )??? Thanks!

 

[Chugbug]

Hate spell check it should read crusher run...sorry

 

[flyerdan]

If the dust is caked on with oil or grease, the engine cleaner will help, if there is no oil bonding the dust (moisture based caking) using some cheaper cleaning solution will probably be fine. Harbor Freight has an engine cleaning gun that has a siphon feed that works pretty good; spray the warm engine down with Gunk or deck cleaner, let it set for a bit and clean away with the gun and straight water or a mild solution. It gets in all the hard to reach areas and doesn't put out so much pressure that you get just as much on yourself as what you're cleaning. Plus you can avoid areas like alternators and other electrical areas that hate moisture much easier than with a pressure washer.

 

[Indian MC]

For basic cleaning maintenance I just warm the motor slightly, then spray down with a helping of simple green.
Let sit for five minutes, then rinse off with water from the garden hose.
Just like new afterwards.
Works on my Corvette and Pick up truck. Should work on the Kubota once I get her dirty

 

[oosik]

I leave 200 feet of pressurized garden hose out in the sun and in the afternoon I have a short, warm, plain water wash down of the engine without any cleaner what-so-ever. Works just great - low pressure, warm water = clean engine.

 

[smstonypoint]

Hate spell check it should read crusher run...sorry

FWIW, you have the option of editing your messages after they are posted. There is a time limit -- I'm thinking 24 hours.

Steve

 

[DK35vince]

I pressure wash my engine a couple times a year.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just hose mine off with garden hose. As long as you don't have oil leaks, water should work fine from a garden hose. Pressure washing is no problem as long as you don't get too close to gasketed surfaces, electronic components etc.

I would start with just plain water to remove dirt. If greasy gunk remains spray with engine degreaser like Gunk, Purple Power or Simple Green and let it set for a few minutes then hose off. Repeat as necessary to remove all the grease.

 

[Chugbug]

Thanks all I remember reading on some other site cleaning your engine and engine compartment was a no no. I'll be picking up some engine cleaner. It's been over 8 years and the engine has never been cleaned, the rest of the tractor looks new so will the engine soon.

 

[Gcorron]

all good replies. I've used Gunk for years, simple green also works well, and the purple power.
I thought I'd pass something along, just as an aside.

If you have a Sam's Club close, and are a member, they have a degreaser in their automotive section. It is purple and just says "heavy duty degreaser" on it. My neighbor tried it and told me to try it. Being Sam's it was cheaper than anything else around and I gave it a try, holy cats does that stuff strip the oil and grease off anything!!

Just passing it along, the other stuff works good as well.

George

 

[ryan08]

Dry your engine with a leaf blower to get any standing water out of there after washing.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The new citrus based cleaners aren't as good as the old poisonous stuff. I do pressure wash engines but try and keep away from the alternator.

 

[DK35vince]

Thanks all I remember reading on some other site cleaning your engine and engine compartment was a no no. .

Why ???
I've been pressure washing engines for years, never an issue. My tractor engine is clean.

 

[big bubba]

if you're worried about all the debris.....you might blowout/or replace air filter as well as std maintenance....diesels like to breathe in addition to superficially looking good as well with your own use

 

[PILOON]

Here is my trick.
I stock spray cans of cheap oven cleaner that I get from dollar stores and spray the greasy areas followed by a water wash down.
Works just great and to boot cheap.
Just don't leave the the oven cleaner on for long as paint will want to lift off.

Wipe off grease gobs first as there is just so much the cleaner can handle.

I also use the oven cleaner to overhaul carburators as essentially it is the same product. Just neutralize afterwards with lots of water.

 

[Gcorron]

There are those who say do not pressure wash your engine because you can force water in between gaskets. That's the reason.

Oven cleaner is good stuff, but it is what is often used to completely strip automotive paint off prior to total restoration. Boy howdy do not leave it on very long!!

I certainly clean mine when they get dirty, and I've pretty much used every one of the methods up above. The little gun that hooks to air and the tube in cleaning solution we always called a 'squirrel gun'. Good tool!

George

 

[not2old]

I use S100 motorcycle cleaner. Spray it on, wait a bit and hose it off. Also works well on the brake dust on my aluminum wheels.