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Cleaning the Engine

Yahoo Message Number: 76566
What is the safest, simplest procedure to clean the engine and restore its bright red and black paint colors? Do I need to open up the interior access or can it be done from the rear? What cleaners works best? Is power washing safe?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 30143

Re: Cleaning the Engine

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76572
Nate, "Simple Green" works pretty good, working from your interior access makes it easier.

Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave. #30898

Re: Cleaning the Engine

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76656
I second Mike's recommendation - Simple Green is by far the best for straight cleaning. I would suggest running the engine to get it warm and then librally spraying Simple Green (it will probably steam in some areas). Those with a lot of grease you may want to squirt a second or third time...and then allow it to just sit and work it's magic. I'd give it 30 minutes and then use a hose and cool water to rinse it all off. Stubborn areas my require another round. NOTE: Don't allow the simple great to get on any waxed exterior surface ~ it will take off the wax! (but won't hurt paint).
As for painting, I'd sugguest high temperature spray paint. Mask it off and go to town!

Re: Cleaning the Engine

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76710
Ken here retired Cat service Tech. I used silple green on My Cats in our shop in Tampa before I retired three years ago. Use to use Ind. Cleaner in out Hotse Steam shack. Did not like breathing those harsh chemicals and if too strong messed up the nice cat yellow. After reparing an engine weather a rebuild or repair I let engine cool down finger touch or less. On My cummins once a year I spray simple green on a cold engine, Tranny and drive shaft the use a electric pressure washer low pressure and rinse. Then I get a Yard blower and dry off and blow out water in Holes etc. Then I Run the engine to warm up and look for exhaust leaks, Fluid leaks etc. Just my 2cents. My neighbors come over and admire how new the power plant looks. Be Careful around electrical sensors and plugs. Im on a gravel lot that I own but going to a Carwash also works. Also get a powerful shop lite and look for cracks and grease the driveshaft with proper Grease. Ken 99 Allure 30356

Cleaning the Engine . . .

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76670
A word of caution, about five years ago I wound up in ER with very labored breathing, and difficulty staying conscious, thinking I was have a heart attack. I had inhaled "steaming" Simple Green and hour or so before cleaning an engine and was having a severe allergic reaction. Never had the problem as a straight product, but when steaming, it put me under. So careful. Might want to consider one the many cleaners designed for hot engines like Gunk.
Lon

Inspire '06

1a. Re: Cleaning the Engine

Posted by: "marksperos" marksperos@... marksperos Date: Thu Jan 5, 2012 4:03 pm ((PST))
I second Mike's recommendation - Simple Green is by far the best for straight cleaning. I would suggest running the engine to get it warm and then librally spraying Simple Green (it will probably steam in some areas).
Those with a lot of grease you may want to squirt a second or third time...and then allow it to just sit and work it's magic. I'd give it 30 minutes and then use a hose and cool water to rinse it all off. Stubborn areas my require another round. NOTE: Don't allow the simple great to get on any waxed exterior surface ~ it will take off the wax! (but won't hurt paint).

Re: Cleaning the Engine . . .

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76677
How do you all avoid damage to electrical components such as the alternator, ecu or sensors?

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

Re: Cleaning the Engine . . .

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76743
Lon,

Wow ~ I didn't know that was possible. I worked with the original creator (who would drink the stuff, repeatedly, on even a slight dare). I guess I never dared him to inhale it, though.
In reviewing Simple Green's instructions, it actually likes cold surfaces better than warm ones...so I gave a bad recommendation. Sorry!

Mark

Re: Cleaning the Engine . . .

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76744
Lon,

Wow ~ I didn't know that was possible. I worked with the original creator (who would drink the stuff, repeatedly, on even a slight dare). I guess I never dared him to inhale it, though.
In reviewing Simple Green's instructions, it actually likes cold surfaces better than warm ones...so I gave a bad recommendation. Sorry!

Mark
 

Re: Cleaning the Engine . . .

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76749
Ken here Retired Cat Tech. Thanks for sharing I posted my yearly engine clenning yearly to the group. I Always use simple green on a cold or warm engine! Never a hot engine. I had yearly classes for fluid handeling and only a spray of light water only with a blower fan on a warm engine never HOT! Sorry the poster was hurt. We were alwys properly trained! Too many workman comp issues. Simple green works for me but on a cold engine. Thanks for remind me of this. Let all use coomon sense out there and always be safe! Ken 99 Allure 30356 in Yuma AZ.