correct way to clean engine

[tcalz06]

Did a couple searches but can't find anything.

What is the proper cleaner and way to do this on a diesel?





Thanks

 

[BBoling]

Good question, would like to hear from all the experts how to keep the engine compartment clean.

I know that my cousin (with '94 Dodge CTD) will use a light-duty degreaser, spray it basically all over the engine and compartment, let it sit for 5 minutes or so, and then CAREFULLY pressure wash it all off. I've witnessed the process, it comes out pretty clean. I know, I know, some might gasp at the idea of pressure washing your engine compartment, but if you keep the nozzle a good distance away from the engine, and be really careful near electrical parts and connectors, it works great. He then uses some tire dressing to dress the the top of the engine to make ti shine. Works for him, never has had a problem. What do you guys do?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

To each his own - but with all the sensitive electronics, and multitude of plugs and connections underhood, the absolute LAST thing I'd use is a pressure sprayer/washer!



Admittedly, I mostly drive my truck on pavement, so keeping the underhood area and engine clean is just rags and Simple Green - with a bit of elbow grease added:



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[Joe G.]

The best way to clean up the engine room depends on how dirty it is to start with. If you have no oil leaks and you clean it every so often then a little bit of brake cleaner for the stubborn spots plus some light duty degreaser or Armorall will work ok. If's oily and has packed on dirt then the spraywasher may be the way to go. I keep mine pretty clean so all it really needs is some polish and wipe down.

 

[Degodiesel02]

I 've been doing this for 2 years and have not had a problem yet. It's obviously easier to get it clean once and maintain it, then doing it say twice a year after there is a lot of build up.

make sure engine is cool before applying. Pre-dilute Simple Green with water and spray entire engine and compartment. Reapply to stubborn areas and maybe use a rag with some elbow geese. allow to sit for about 5-10 minutes. then rinse off with hose. You can use a pressure washer but be careful where your point of impact is you can cut through vacuum lines or hoses very easily with some pressure washers. I hook up the hose to the garage sink and use warm water as it helps to cut the geese. After rinsing allow most of the water to dry then start the motor to dry out any remaining water. Once again let cool. Then apply Touchless tire care and walk away in 30 minutes your motor and engine bay looks immaculate and shiny. Touch up any missed area with a rag. Don't knock it till you try it.

 

[Grizzly]

I do what Gary does, I keep after it with rags and elbow grease.

 

[Nate]

I just pressure wash mine. Spray it, then spray some degreaser like Super Clean or Simple Green, let it sit, and rinse it off.

I do it everytime I wash the truck.



Been doing that on the truck for 2 years, and my Jeep for 6 years. No problems.





I used to do the same to all the Ram 2500 CTDs and Ford F-350 Powerstrokes at work as well. We had about 20 trucks and I did this roughly once a week for 3 years. No problems and people would constantly comment on how clean the engine bays where when we had inspections on our trucks.





Now I do have to say if you have an open air filter element like Gary does, cover it up with a trash bag or pull it off and cover up the hose.

 

[The patriot]

I use simple green or something similar, with the garden hose.

Once or twice a year is fine since my truck is strictly road driven.

I try to stay away from electronics, and the injectors. I dont want them rusting in.

When done, I'll blow the engine off with compressed air.

Eric

 

[AKaiser]

As far as the pressure washer, as long as you stay back far enough, you shouldn't have any problems, and you can still use a steam/hot water washer, which helps immensely on keeping engine compartments clean. Otherwise, you're stuck with cold water for the most part.

 

[Rebel Ram]

As an alternative to simple green which I use sometimes, I use a product I found at Home Depot. It is a solvent made from oranges. It works great. Spray it on a dry engine bay and greasy areas and wait 20 minutes. Then pressure wash off. Smells great.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Admittedly, I mostly drive my truck on pavement, so keeping the underhood area and engine clean is just rags and Simple Green - with a bit of elbow grease added:

And being retired doesn't hurt either:-laf

 

[The patriot]

As an alternative to simple green which I use sometimes, I use a product I found at Home Depot. It is a solvent made from oranges. .

Citrus solvent. Enviormentally safe too.

I think the active ingredient is "D- Limone" or something like that.



Oh yea... . it smells GREAT!!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I use the coin-op spray-wash...



degreaser first, then soap/rinse... keeps it clean

 

[JRBurton]

I spray mine with castrol super clean or simple green . Let soak for about 5 or 10 minutes preasure wash it of or use a garden hose. I have been doing this for about 12 on various vehicles works great.

 

[jnelson]

Citrus solvent. Enviormentally safe too.
I think the active ingredient is "D- Limone" or something like that.

Oh yea... . it smells GREAT!!

ditto - works great.

 

[tcalz06]

Thanks guys



I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to screw something up. I used the car wash on other vehicles in the past.



Since I'm in AZ I've noticed this engine gets dirty fast

 

[Hammer]

Simple Green,a hose,lots of hand scrubbing and elbow grease detailing. Mine is driven daily here in Central PA,not garage kept(will not fit inside) and is driven all winter long... ... . Andy

 

[MStrain]

I havent cleaned the Big Dies under the hood yet, but on all my old gassers I would drive down to the coin op car wash, put a bag over the air intake, turn the knob to engine degreaser and spray the whole engine compartment, them rinse it off with spot free rinse. Never had a problem, it would get it real clean and took less than 5 minutes, I may do my truck soon, but I will probably let it sit at the car wash for a while to let the manifold cool before I start spraying.

 

[ELaslo]

Hammer Wow! Looks great. The red really makes it pop. Gary. looks good. Thanks for the work on cavation. Great videos. It led me to solving a fuel pressure/lift pump problem I was having.

 

[IanF]

Any thoughts on cleaning a really dirty engine? Mine looks like a gallon of oil was poured over it and then driven through a dust bowl... Really kills my desire to work on it... Need to figure out what is leaking, but it has to be clean first...