Engine Degreaser - Recommendations - Dodge Diesel

djp9747 · 03-10-2005, 05:08 PM

I have the thread "Do I Have a Leak (Pictures Included)" going where I show pictures of a possibly leaking oil pan gasket. I'd like to clean it up with some sort of degreaser so that I can track if it is leaking or not. But then I got to think, why only degrease that spot, why not degrease the whole engine, as it is getting a bit dirty in there. What are you guys using to do this? Am looking for some recommendations.

David

Haulin_in_Dixie · 03-10-2005, 05:48 PM

I just take mine to the car wash, put the wand on soap, spray it real good, does a good job.

Fronty Owner · 03-10-2005, 07:48 PM

i use simple green, watch your hoses and rubber products tho, it will leave white spoots on it....

AaronT · 03-10-2005, 09:02 PM

I use the neighborhood cats and rabbits. They like to sit under the hood, and when I start up they go around and around. This maintains the engine compartment in peak pristine condition.

Fronty Owner · 03-10-2005, 09:05 PM

I tried that once Aaron, it made more of a mess than it cleaned out...

Truckjerk · 03-11-2005, 07:47 PM

Simple Green, covering electrical components with alum. foil....lots of water...."rinse, repeat as needed"

MikeyB · 03-11-2005, 08:22 PM

Simple Green here.

MikeyB

moterhead · 03-11-2005, 09:19 PM

Gunk. No white spots, no concern about foil over electrical items. I don't use high pressure spray like car washes. I have my own pressure washer. I just use the hose. IMHO, high pressure sprays can force water into places where it shouldn't be.

Jmac · 03-11-2005, 10:27 PM

MY "ex" dealer where I bought my truck told me not to spay any water on it. But use an air compressor to blow of any dirt or sand.

Jamie

AK RAM · 03-11-2005, 11:19 PM

I use GUNK as well. Only takes about 10 minutes on a slightly warm engine and it totally dissolves all grease and grime. Then I gently rinse with the water hose (pressure not needed with a good dissolver). I have sprayed the whole engine off with high pressure (car wash) when everything was covered with mud and didn't have any problems, but I had my fingers crossed the whole time. All of the electrical connectors have soft rubber seals to keep water out, so technically you shouldn't have a problem, but I wouldn't want to chance it routinely. Fried wiring harnesses are expensive to replace. I generally just try to keep the alternator and air box dry.

For a nice look, get some of the spray-on tire cleaner that requires no wiping. Spray everything under the hood after it has been cleaned and let it sit for 15 minutes. Everything shines and looks better than new.

Pop-Pop · 03-12-2005, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AK RAM
I use GUNK as well.

For a nice look, get some of the spray-on tire cleaner that requires no wiping. Spray everything under the hood after it has been cleaned and let it sit for 15 minutes. Everything shines and looks better than new.

Also, after use of a tire shine (like Armor-All) you can then usually blow off accumulated dirt with a high pressure air hose since dirt doesn't tend to stick to the engine.

Nevada · 03-12-2005, 11:14 AM

You may think that I am a thrill seeker, but I have always washed my engine(s) using the high pressure wand and the self serve car wash. I never cover anything and have never had a problem.

Haulin_in_Dixie · 03-12-2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nevada
You may think that I am a thrill seeker, but I have always washed my engine(s) using the high pressure wand and the self serve car wash. I never cover anything and have never had a problem.

bmoeller · 03-12-2005, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fronty Owner
I tried that once Aaron, it made more of a mess than it cleaned out...

Ya. Ever seen what a cat will do to fan blades?

Bent the snot out of it. This was on the skid loader, though.

I use the (HOT) power washer at work. Can adjust the pressure down with the wand, so it is pretty low pressure. Not much more than a garden hose. The heat gets most of it, without much effort.

Comstock · 03-12-2005, 11:11 PM

Simple green engine degreaser and hose for spraying off.
I will never use my pressure washer ( 4gpm 3600 psi) on my truck again after removing mud and some paint in the fender wells

last weekend.

03-10-2005, 05:48 PM	#2
Haulin_in_Dixie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Branchville, Alabama Posts: 4,199 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I just take mine to the car wash, put the wand on soap, spray it real good, does a good job. __________________ 99 2500 4X4 Laramie Quad cab ISB275 engine 660 tq stock with air comp, HX35/18.5, NV5600, 13.125 SBC, 354 posi, Rancho 9000, Scotty II, EZ, FASS, bottom feed, ported ATS ex man, Isspro gages, Truspeed, Ford dual wheels, Jorden, Alpine, amp, M15000 warn. Freightliner Condo, N14 500hp. Kaufman EZ loader VI car hauler 97 Dodge 2500, Club cab, 4wd, tow body, cow catcher, 12v, NV4500 Borne 50’ car hauler 53/102 Trailmobile Reefer

03-10-2005, 07:48 PM	#3
Fronty Owner 'People of Wal-Mart' 2010 finalist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 455 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	i use simple green, watch your hoses and rubber products tho, it will leave white spoots on it.... __________________ Divide et impera!

03-10-2005, 09:02 PM	#4
AaronT Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Alberta Posts: 605 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I use the neighborhood cats and rabbits. They like to sit under the hood, and when I start up they go around and around. This maintains the engine compartment in peak pristine condition. __________________ 04.5 3500 SLT 4X4, ETH/DEE (325-600), NV5600, 373, DRW, LB, Deep Molten Red (Build - May 22, 2004) - Line-X, J&J Millenium boards, Cloud Rider Spectra grill, Prodigy, 21K HiJacker ""

03-11-2005, 08:22 PM	#7
MikeyB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tomball, Texas Posts: 7,151 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Simple Green here. MikeyB __________________ 2003 2500 2wd SWB Quad Cab Laramie, 305/555, NV5600, 3.73LS, Line-X, Westach boost/EGT combo gauge, PML diff cover, Airbox mod, Hurst 6spd Shift ****, Adjustable boost elbow, Toyo OC AT 285/70/17 E, Daystar 1.5" lift, Monroe Reflex, Raptor RP100, Lazarsmith Intake Horn, HID SMARTY Sr./Van Aaken C3.2

03-11-2005, 09:19 PM	#8
moterhead Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Primm Springs, Tn Posts: 532 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Gunk. No white spots, no concern about foil over electrical items. I don't use high pressure spray like car washes. I have my own pressure washer. I just use the hose. IMHO, high pressure sprays can force water into places where it shouldn't be. __________________ Wayne Primm Springs, Tn '04 2500, QC, SB, Sport, CTD HO, 48RE, flame red, de-emblemed, taupe leather, 3.73 axle LSD, factory tow package. Extang Black Max tonneau, rear wheel well liners, tinted glass, wheels powder coated matching flame red. Line-X spray bedliner. Dave Kelley tank vent kit. '03 Jeep Liberty (wife's '06 Harley Street Glide '01 FXST solo, wife's ride '56 T'bird '93 Mustang LX hot rod

03-10-2005, 09:05 PM	#5
Fronty Owner 'People of Wal-Mart' 2010 finalist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 455 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I tried that once Aaron, it made more of a mess than it cleaned out...

03-11-2005, 07:47 PM	#6
Truckjerk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NC Posts: 38 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Simple Green, covering electrical components with alum. foil....lots of water...."rinse, repeat as needed"

03-11-2005, 10:27 PM	#9
Jmac Chapter President Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 836 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	MY "ex" dealer where I bought my truck told me not to spay any water on it. But use an air compressor to blow of any dirt or sand. Jamie __________________ 2006 White two tone Mega Cab 4x4 Auto, Fog Lights, 305/70/17E 10 ply Terra Grapplers on stock wheels, 34" Donaldson Muff, Scotty 5 Air Intake, Onyx Bedliner, Pacbrake air bags, Quad Xzillaraider II 100hp. DTR Megacab Club member #56 7x20 7K Loudo Heavy Duty Utility Trailer Weekend toys.. 2008 Polaris RZR 4x4 2006 Polaris Predator 500 2006 Polaris Yellow Sportsman 700 4x4

03-11-2005, 11:19 PM	#10
AK RAM Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Moved.......now Sumter, SC Posts: 1,681 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I use GUNK as well. Only takes about 10 minutes on a slightly warm engine and it totally dissolves all grease and grime. Then I gently rinse with the water hose (pressure not needed with a good dissolver). I have sprayed the whole engine off with high pressure (car wash) when everything was covered with mud and didn't have any problems, but I had my fingers crossed the whole time. All of the electrical connectors have soft rubber seals to keep water out, so technically you shouldn't have a problem, but I wouldn't want to chance it routinely. Fried wiring harnesses are expensive to replace. I generally just try to keep the alternator and air box dry. For a nice look, get some of the spray-on tire cleaner that requires no wiping. Spray everything under the hood after it has been cleaned and let it sit for 15 minutes. Everything shines and looks better than new. __________________ Sold: 1992, D350, Extended Cab, Auto, straight pipe, Banks Power Pack - Purchased in 1992, sold in 1995 Sold: 1995, 4X4, Standard Cab, Auto, striaght pipe, plate, timing - Purchased new in 1995, sold Sep 2003 Sold: 2003, 4X4, QUAD, LWB, Twins, Snow, Helix2, Hot Cp3, Injectors, 315s - 12.32 @ 109mph - Purchased new Sep 2003, sold Jan 2011 92 W250 Ext Cab 5 speed LE, 275k, 3.54's - Purchased slightly used Feb 2011

03-12-2005, 11:14 AM	#12
Nevada Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Logan, Utah Posts: 638 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	You may think that I am a thrill seeker, but I have always washed my engine(s) using the high pressure wand and the self serve car wash. I never cover anything and have never had a problem. __________________ 2010 Laramie Crew Shorty 4X4 G56 3.42AS Pretty Much Everything but a Sunroof. Previous Ride: 2003 SLT Sport Quad Shorty 4X4 ETH/DEE 3.73AS.

03-12-2005, 11:11 PM	#15
Comstock Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 66 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Simple green engine degreaser and hose for spraying off. I will never use my pressure washer ( 4gpm 3600 psi) on my truck again after removing mud and some paint in the fender wells last weekend. __________________ '05 quad cab 4 by shorty, 610, 48re,anti spin diff, Bighorn Edition ( rear slider window, forged aluminum wheels, class 4 receiver, leather wheel, fog lamps, tow hooks) stock my other car is a tractor

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