I am in the process of cleaning the heck out of my new 12v truck and also chasing down a couple oil leaks.

It appears that the engine compartment on my truck has never been cleaned. There is crap and dirt and oil and other crap all over.

I tried using Gunk degreaser, but man that stuff did not work very well.

How do you go about getting an engine/ engine compartment from the state mine is in to being clean? What chem's do you use?

Thanks again,
Russ

 

X2 INQUIRING ,MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW... I HAVE A ACCESS TO A HEATED PRESSURE WASHER- I KNOW IT WOULD DO A GREAT JOB JUST WORRIED ABOUT GETTING ELECTRICAL STUFF WET...

 

I use Simple green

at full stregnth and it does a fairly good job. Better than degreaser and less expensive too... I wash my engine now at least every two months. so it stays easy to clean...

Rick

 

thanks rick any problems w/ simple green and electrical stuff under hood?

 

I bought about 6 cans of some off brand engine cleaner at the dollar store and that stuff worked great. I had to use every bit of it though.

 

The hot water pressure washer is probablly the best for cleaning. Have cleaned many engine compartments with litlle problems. Dist caps were real bad. If can make a bent tube for nozzle that works better. Don't work on the connectors directly. Get prepared for a dirty shower. Cheap raincoat and a face shield really helps. Have never tried Simple Green, but will.

 

I use plastic grocery bags and cover/wrap the alternator , wire conectors , fuse box etc.....then simple green and garden hose er while the engine is still a little warm.

 

I tried simple gren. I used it on my dirt bike and it works great there, but for the heavy build up I have on my 12v, it would not touch it.

I have done some research myself and it seems the trick is

1) have the motor warm, not hot
2) high pressure steam with some solvent in it if possible


I am going to hook my hot water heater to the pressure washer and try that and see how far I can get.

I got looking at the thread in here where there were some show quality 12v motors and got real inspired.

R

 

HOT water is key to get the grease and oil off of there. I used cheap engine degreaser and hot soapy water and it cleaned it right up!

 

Try Castrol Superclean.

Nick

 

Well, I use beaver solution... no for real..lol it works like a charm I gurantee it will make it shine. The grime will just be rolling off. It is pretty potent. 10 times better than gunk remover or simple green.

http://www.beaverresearch.com/solution.htm

It is a little pricey, but you will only use about a gallon to do a motor. I have used it for axles and everything. It may sound like AI work for them. But everytime I go to autozone to get simple green. I'm a like this stuff sucks, why do I buy it. I used to get it for free fro my father inlaw, but that ran dry.lol I use it on my bikes too, it keeps them looking way better than anything else, you don't even have to use a sponge or a brush, spray it on, pressure wash it off and it will shine. So if you want that baby to shine, spend a few bucks and you'll be happy.

 

I like a air powered syphon gun. It has an extra 14" reach that allows me to get down low on the engine. I like to use mineral spirits as my cleaning solution. You can place the tip close to any build up to "pry" it off. The amount of overspray is minimal and easily controlable.

When you are done, you can let the mineral spirits soak and to loosen any dirt/grease that is tough. Run water thru the syphon gun to eliminate any residue and your engine will look very good when you are done.

Ronnie

 

This is the way I have always done it.....I use fuel oil, kero, mineral spirits or what ever I have and run it through a pump-up or syphon sprayer. To finish it off I use soap (super clean) through the pressure washer with hot water. It works very well, however it will make a mess on the ground!!!

 

We use the beaver solution at work to clean the grime and grease off our locomotives, and it works great! I was sold on that product the first time I saw it being used.

I personally use simple green just because its easier to find and it works good too.