how to clean engine

can i take a hose and spray it off or do i need to take it somewhere?

 

Simple green & rinse

 

DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN. It attacks aluminum. Read the bottle, it will confirm this.
Use a degreaser/soap and rinse.

 

Every thread I've ever read recommended simple green. Interesting..

I really need to clean my engine bay. It still looks like shit from when I was a kid and loved to mud.

 

Use Simple Green. Just don't let it sit for ever.

FAQ from Simple Green.

 

I just hosed it off. Still works fine.

 

simple green and a pressure washer works good

 

Just use a pressure washer. All of that degreaser crap has so much chemicals in it it's horrible for the enviroment esspecially when it gets washed down the storm drain.

 

1. Acquire a spray nozzle that has multiple spray options.
2. Using the "Shower" selection, LIGHTLY go over the engine. (There should be no need to use a "Full Blast" sprayer).
3. Use "Purple Power" or "Dawn Liquid dish detergent" and spray to coat what you need to clean.
4. Get a microfiber rag or soft bristled brush to scrub the tough stuff.
5. repeat 3 & 4 as needed.
6. Dry and use Armor-all on the plastic/rubber you want to preserve.
7. Wipe off excess Armor-all

Thats how i do it, and haven't had a problem after cleaning this way... Really, i've only needed to use dawn or purple-power after pollen season or if its been awhile since i've cleaned my engine bay. I don't roll through high mud or anything like that. Hope some of this is useful.

 

i always pressure wash my engine compartment with it running. never have had any probs, but i try keeping most of the blast away from the alternator and other main electrical areas. simple green and greased lightning work wonders.

 

yeah....you gotta dilute that stuff fo sho, but it does clean engine parts that are gunked up pretty good. i still like greased lightning better than most things for cleaning.

 

I used simple green and used a pressure washer to rinse it off. No problems here and my engine bay is very clean

 

Just used simple green today on my engine bay. Looks awesome, almost like new, and smells nice too!

 

I thought it smelled nice too lol

 

As far as degreasers go the castrol purple(or similar) cleaner will etch,scar, discolor aluminium and polished stainless parts when used at full concentration. But if you follow the destructions you will be fine to wash off simple road grime and engine filth. My rear main is leaking and I use it on my skid plate at full strength and it does wonders. Simple green is good also, but like others have said, spray, scrub, rinse, rinse, and avoid water on anything you don't want to replace

 

my engine is clean thanks to all of yall thanks

 

"Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green® on aluminum?

When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green® Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series™ Simple Green® Automotive Cleaner have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green® product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation. "

Is anyone using a protectant like simple green recommends?

 

I don't use any sort of protectant. I am careful to thoroughly wash the stuff off though. And that means sometimes more soap and water.

 

Yes, think of the children.....
I thought this thread needed to be restarted. ...

 

I like the gunk foamy engine bright. Get thenengine warm give a liberal doucheing of gunk let it sit fornanfew minute then hose off. Works awesome.