best way to clean the engine

[KevinMcD]

Any do's or don'ts when it comes to cleaning the engine? I had an oil leak, which got blown all over the engine compartment.
Thanks,
Kevin McD.
Kioti CK30 HST

 

[Bird]

Some folks say you should avoid a number of the electrical connections, terminals, alternators, etc. Personally, I avoided only the air intake and I would not hit a hot engine with cold water. Of course I wouldn't hit radiator fins with enough pressure (either water OR air) at an angle that could bend the cooling fins. I've been cleaning my car, pickup, and tractor engines that way for many years.

 

[ray66v]

On our aircraft engines we use starting fluid to remove oil residue from leaks. Of course you have to use some caution, no open flames and have good ventilation. But it does work fast, and well, leaving no residue.

 

[woodlandfarms]

IMO... Dawn dish washing detergent, a pressure washer and keeping away from key parts...

You do not need the Dawn, it is a cheap cleaner though. A pressure washer can be too abusive, expecially on radiator fins...

You want to keep the water out of 3 key areas, the oil, the diesel, and any exposed electronics. Supposedly a tractor is "water tight" in terms of electronics, but with a pressure washer things will get under the skin quick.

I generally do not wash around the fuel tank caps, nor the oil tank caps. On the engine make sure your caps are on tight and don't spray them directly...

Some people don't clean alternators (I disagree with this) and starters - Both should be engineered to take the water...

Anyway.. . The most important tool is your kids, make them go do it and sit and supervise...

 

[number two]

GUNK "Engine Bright" has always served me well if the deposits are not too great. Spray on,let sit,hose off with low pressure garden hose. Does smell a little after warmed up after treatment.I give all my vehicles a cleaning every year or so. Keeps the engine compartment reasonably tidy-gets the dust and oily films. Pretty decent really.

 

[Croomrider]

Simple Green and a pressure washer will do a great job. If you have heavy oil or grease you may want to use Gunk first.

 

[ray66v]

GUNK "Engine Bright" Does smell a little after warmed up after treatment.

Be honest, it smells a lot.

 

[barneyrb]

Castrol Purple Power, let it sit about 5 min and then a garden hose. Be careful as it will remove some paint also.

 

[KevinMcD]

thanks for all the input. I have GUNK so I'll use that.

 

[weldingisfun]

I'll second the Simple Green. Use your toothbrush on the areas with heavy dirt and grease build up, then hose it off with a garden hose. Works for me and it gives my toothbrush something else to do.

 

[Egon]

I just use dishwater detergent and the hose or pressure washer. I used to do the car engines at the car wash.

 

[jinman]

Use your toothbrush on the areas with heavy dirt and grease build up, then hose it off with a garden hose. Works for me and it gives my toothbrush something else to do.

Does it kinda leave a bad taste in your mouth right after using the brush to clean the engine?

Here's a tip: Use your wife's toothbrush and you won't get that bad taste in your mouth.

 

[Egon]

Just a bump and concussion like symptoms on the head!

 

[browns40]

I'll chalk up another vote for the simple green... like to open the hood up for a bit so it can get "sun hot", then give it a good soaking of simple green, come back after a bit, give it another spray on the more difficult areas, let it soak a bit more, then come back with the pressure washer, clean it all up, and let the sun dry it up.

I do my best to avoid the filters, fins & battery, but once its dry... water gets most places driving in rain or snow, so...

Smells good & nontoxic/biodegradable.

 

[sixdogs]

I spray the greasy areas with diesel fuel and let it sit for a day or so. Then pressure wash and keep away from sensitive areas like electronics and oil or air entrances. Works for me.
I have had some products fade my engine paint but never with diesel. Dawn also works well for dirty areas. It needs time to soak in.

 

[CurlyDave]

Do any of you guys cleaning engines have a well?

I am wondering how far from the well I should keep the engine cleaning operation to avoid contaminating the water with detergent & oil.

 

[irvingj]

CurlyDave-- I have a well, and have become more concerned lately with run-off-- I've pretty much switched from Gunk, except for really heavy grease, and just use Fantastic around the engine compartment on my cars, then hose off with no nozzle and just a bit of pressure.

Smells better, and makes me feel better about the ground.... If I have to use Gunk, I dilute the run-off heavily with water after rinsing the machinery.

I do my cleaning downslope and about 60' away from my wellhead.