Cleaning engine
 

Has anyone cleaned their engine yet? With all the winter grime on mine I was contemplating going to the wash bay but I am nervous of the high pressure engine clean selection with all the external components to our engines!

Anyone try it yet?

4 or 5 times with no trouble. But I use common sense.

i have always used simple green. spray the whole engine bay down, let it sit for 15 minutes or so. then spray with a shower from the garden hose. i never use high pressure anywhere on any of my vehicles or equipment.

Sorry Mastercaster but it is a little tough trying to get water from a garden hose when it is below freezing 6 months of the year.[laugh]Ive had to wash the engine bay out many times just don`t high pressure wash to close.Some pressure washers can crank out 2000+/- psi.Just be carefull.

Thanks guys! I think I migth try the simple green trick and use the "spotless rinse" option in the wash bay.

Air Cleaner Filter Minder
 

Remember to cover the air cleaner filter minder before cleaning.

I'd stay away from any high psi sprayes and hot engines.I like using products made to clean engine area like Foamy Engine Brite and follow the directions on the can.

Don't spray on any of the electrical connections. If you get water in one you will have fun. Been there done that to many times. Then it is pop all the connections off one at a time and blow them out with compressed air. The older the vehicle is the worse it is about having dry rotted rubber boots and seals.

Cleaners on hot engines
 

If you are going to drive to a wash bay and then clean the engine be careful with spraying certain cleaners on hot engines, they will discolor certain surfaces if applied when the surface is hot.

To heck with discoloration I'd be worried about hot manifolds,turbo etc.I'm not fond of getting water on hot items.

Simple Green, then 303
 

I use simple green to disolve the grease and road grime with only the garden hose pressure to wash it off. After it drys, I then spray the engine and all the electrical boxes and wiring with a product called 303. I first used 303 on whitewater gear, it would bring new life into plastic and synthetics - both hard surfaces and fabrics. The 303 brings the original black color back to the plastic & rubber parts and makes the engine look new. The 303 has to be good for the plastic and rubber as well given the results I've seen over the years. The 303 when dried also does not collect dust.

Where do you get this magic "303"?? and is that all it's called?

Yeah ..... don't know about the '303' but I use silicone spray for the same thing. 'Gunk' silicone spray is in a lot of stores BUT the last can I bought had 'petroleum distillates' in it [duhhh] so I'd look at the label on the can before you buy it [coffee]

Clear laquer paint works also.Makes a tough durable shine.

You got pics? [coffee]