Engine Cleaning

[David Pendleton]

Winter is over here in MN, and my engine compartment looks like crap.

I'm a little afraid of taking the power washer to it. How do I clean the engine?

Thanks all.

 

[Whitmore]

David, I use simple green and then rinse with garden hose,I like to do it when the all mighty cummins is at a medium temp,just my o2 Kevin

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Read some of the other posts regarding simple green being corrosive to aluminum. I still use the tried and true "Gunk" engine brite. Works real good and has never hurt anything on my vehicles.

 

[illflem]

David, unless you have oil/diesel leaks I've found that just water does a good enough cleaning job. There aren't any parts on a diesel engine that water will cause trouble with. The only places I would try to avoid with your pressure washer would be electrical components and connecters. Blast away!!!

 

[arlan]

I've been using a pressure washer and gunk on mine for three years now and have not had a problem. Just don't pressure wash to close to your radiator, it will bend the fins.

 

[bigkid59]

One little warning about cleaning any diesel engine. You should never spray water or any other liquid on the injection pump if the pump is not at ambient temperature. The sudden cooling of the pump can cause some very expensive problems due to thermal stress on the various metals in the pump, especially the aluminum parts. This can lead to seizing of the closely fitted parts.

I have been useing a generic version of Castrol Super Clean and it cleans very well even mixed 50/50 with water. It is strong enough at full strength to remove some paint. This stuff also removes dirt better than any petroleum based cleaner while still removing the oil.



------------------
92 D250 Auto Trans-Currently stock except for TCI special torque convertor. Now adding 16cm turbo housing, complete 4" exhaust, tachometer, pyrometer, and transmission temperature gauge. Injectors in the near future.
Also have 1984 Volvo D260 with inline 6 diesel made by Volkswagen.

 

[David Pendleton]

Thanks all!

I think I will try the Castrol or Gunk, and the garden hose. If that doesn't work, I'll give the pressure washer a try.

 

[EZ94]

I've been using Simple Green and a pressure washer about once a month on my Ram since I purchased it new in '94. Never had a single problem.

------------------
'94 SLT 2WD, 5 Spd. , TST #6(250/635), 215 HP Injectors, Calibrated Pump, 14. 5 cm2 Turbo, ATS Exhaust Manifold, 3. 54, all Synthetics, By-Pass Filtration, EGT & Boost Gauges, Psychotty Air System, 4 " exhaust, BD Exhaust Brake, Horton Fan, Prime-Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Homeless Cat, Air Lifts, Rancho RS9000's, PIAA's, 255x85Rx16's and copious amounts of 12v Pride.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

There are supposedly some really good citrus cleaners out there that are supposedly harmless to paint and rubber hoses and stuff but work great at removing oil and grease. I have a call in to a friend at an industrial supply, if i can get large quatities at reduced prices, i will let everyone know.

 

[GeneA]

One time I had a bad fuel leak (low pressure fuel line), went to the Cummins in Boise, ID, they fixed the line and the tech asked me if I wanted to get the engine cleaned off. I said sure and he used nothing but a steam hose under high pressure to do the job.

------------------
98. 5 24v 3500 2wd 3. 54 lsd pyro & boost in A pillar DD1's E-brake by Jacob U. S. Gear over/direct O'Reilly Air Horns 105 gal aux tank 35' Prowler 5th wheel with three slides Firestone air helper springs