Any special concerns about cleaning engine?

[s219]

I did some grading with a box blade today, and my B2920 got caked with dust. I hosed it off when I got home, but didn't clean the engine since it had been running at high RPM for a couple hours and was still quite hot. I'd like to hose it off tomorrow or the next day, with the engine just warmed up a little.

Since I haven't cleaned the engine of a diesel tractor before, is there anything to worry about? I figure I will stuff a rag in the intake snorkel, wet the engine down, spray with some simple green, and then hose off a few minutes later (this is my normal procedure for car engines).

Also, since I was operating in a dusty environment for a few hours, should I attempt to clean out the air intake or air filter (probably with an air nozzle at low PSI), or just leave it be?

thanks,
219

 

[namesray]

i skid logs out of the woods and times when it is real dry, it will get REAL dusty. last year there was a spell i actually had to stop operations due to it being too dry. i was blowing out air filters twice a day and wearing a dust mask while working. the logging roads were like flour. most kubota engines have 2 air filters. only clean the outter one. don't touch the inner one only when replacing. i have used low pressure compressed air to blow out the outter air filter many times. i always replace both air filters once a year. i also use an electric pressure washer on my tractor, engine too, and have never had any trouble. i turn the pressure way down when i do the engine and i don't spray the engine with any cleaner. just water. also i don't spray it when it is hot. i try to avoid the alternator and the air filter housing area. i do try to lightly mist them but am very careful about angles of the water. like i say, i haven't had any problems. i usually wash the tractor every 50 hours like this. i think you will be ok too doing this. heck, at my main job we spray the engines in our heavy equipment/dump trucks all the time.

 

[OrangeRidge]

Use an air hose on the engine . Water and wires ........ not good , or necessary imo . Def check the air filter , but the rest is cosmetic.

 

[big bubba]

i routinely blow out my outer air filter.....rather than use a compressed air nozzle that could damage the air filter element, i use a common 2 cycle blower that you use in your yard.....simple insert the blower outlet (may have to remove the flanged connection on the blower tube) into the air filter....does great job! like to blow from inside to out.
like prev. poster mentioned, leave the inner filter alone. really, this should be done on a regular basis...air & engine oil quality are the lifeblood of a diesel.

 

[kcender]

Kubota also recommends that the outer air filter can be washed out up to six times before replacing.I have washed mine and was surprised at how much dirt came out of it.

 

[kuboman]

Blow it off and stay away with the water. Water gets in where it does no good.

 

[vabiker23518]

My TYM T233 gets really dusty too and after bush hogging, the screen in front of the radiator gets really clogged. The compressed air is good, but I don't have it. I have used my leaf blower after each "tractor use" with great results. Really gets the dust off the engine and radiator screen.

 

[art]

Not only does air work well from an air hose or a leaf blower but it is what I perfer to use. When using water it often will push it back into a corner and it will stay there allowing the metal to rust! Think of electrical connections, as well for places to get contaminated with wet dirt.
With mower decks many people will bring out the garden hose or pressure washer and often when we are working on them under the spindle pulleys there is often grass built up from previous washings and they stay wet whch starts rusting the decks out and weakening that area.

 

[s219]

Well, I gave it a shot with my air nozzle, but it didn't help much -- the dust was really caked on. So I got out the water hose and had it clean in a few squirts. Looks great. The engine is painted and weatherproofed far better than car engines, so I'm not worried about any issues, especially since I am always careful. I let it drip dry, and then idled the engine to warm everything up and finish the job.

 

[BeezFun]

I'd ditto the other posters on using air, not water. I've never washed my tractor but I use compressed air to clean it often. I need to use the compressed air anyway to keep the filter and radiator clear, not much extra work to hit everything else at the same time.

 

[High Compression]

I've washed my diesels hundreds of times with no problems. I've actually had problems washing a gas engine, getting the ignition wet, but not with a diesel. There really isn't any electronics under the hood to worry about. If you think about it, you have a battery, alternator, starter etc. All wires are insulated. I don't blast my alternator, but I still wash all the dirt out of it as well. The dust isn't good for the bearings. Water won't hurt you intake either. Don't fill it up with water, but getting your air filter and or housing doesn't hurt. Not enough water to hydro-lock the engine. On one of my trucks I have water and methanol injected into the intake. Drops EGT's over 200 deg F and 100+ hp. :thumbsup: So wash away, just use your head. :drink:

 

[namesray]

Well, I gave it a shot with my air nozzle, but it didn't help much -- the dust was really caked on. So I got out the water hose and had it clean in a few squirts. Looks great. The engine is painted and weatherproofed far better than car engines, so I'm not worried about any issues, especially since I am always careful. I let it drip dry, and then idled the engine to warm everything up and finish the job.

very nice process you did there. i also will start it up and run it after washing to heat it up and dry it off. like i said i have washed the tractor/engine off quite a bit and never any trouble (865 hours b7800- 500 hours rtv 900). i am also very fussy with my equipment. i will use the air compressor first to try to get the dust off, but like you said it gets caked on and usually i will give it a light rinse before all the maintenance schedules (ex: 50 hours) so i have a clean machine to work on. i will also use turtle wax ice on it occasionally (not the engine, but the tractor outside). makes it look brand new. i always turn the pressure washer down way low and my pressure washer is a small electric one 1500 psi. i have heard of gas engines giving trouble, but not diesels. as far as the electronics on an engine, they are sealed for the most part. now i don't go blasting my fuse box area, alternator, or other electric areas with tons of water or high pressure, but i ocassionally do get water on them. heck, my rtv 900, the bed on it will actually drain water right down onto the alternator if parked with the bed down, slightly leaning downhill. i found this out by hauling a hunters bear out of the woods that he shot and the blood ran right down the bed and through a crack between the front wall and bed bottom and caked the alternator. so yes, i put the water to it. that was late last fall, and i have had no trouble starting it since. now i won't go making a habit of hitting the alternator with water, but it hasn't hurt yet.

at my main job at the state transportation dept, we wash off the equipment and engines with high pressure washers and never have any trouble caused by the water. the mechanics just say try to advoid the alternator and fire wall areas. any way, i am not saying that there isn't a problem that the water might cause out there, but just giving you my experiences. heck, dust can cause problems too. 6 one way and half a dozen the other i say.

just thought of one more thing to add. my rtv 900 design, at the rear wheels/ engine/transmission area, the design of it, the rear wheels will splash mud, water all over the lower engine/transmission area. never hurt mine and i haven't heard of any one else complaining that the mud/water splashed up on it has hurt their machine. the engine/transmission is sealed pretty good.

 

[RobertN]

I have done the same. Amazing how much comes out of the filters.

Kubota also recommends that the outer air filter can be washed out up to six times before replacing.I have washed mine and was surprised at how much dirt came out of it.