Engine cleaning

[Chugbug]

I really need to clean the engine on my BX25. Been doing a lot of gravel work (mostly 411's some call it rusher run) and the dust is caked on. I've tried blowing it if but really doesn't help much. Any sugestions? Would using an engine cleaner with water be OK (not high pressure )??? Thanks!

 

[Chugbug]

Hate spell check it should read crusher run...sorry

 

[flyerdan]

If the dust is caked on with oil or grease, the engine cleaner will help, if there is no oil bonding the dust (moisture based caking) using some cheaper cleaning solution will probably be fine. Harbor Freight has an engine cleaning gun that has a siphon feed that works pretty good; spray the warm engine down with Gunk or deck cleaner, let it set for a bit and clean away with the gun and straight water or a mild solution. It gets in all the hard to reach areas and doesn't put out so much pressure that you get just as much on yourself as what you're cleaning. Plus you can avoid areas like alternators and other electrical areas that hate moisture much easier than with a pressure washer.

 

[Indian MC]

For basic cleaning maintenance I just warm the motor slightly, then spray down with a helping of simple green.
Let sit for five minutes, then rinse off with water from the garden hose.
Just like new afterwards.
Works on my Corvette and Pick up truck. Should work on the Kubota once I get her dirty

 

[oosik]

I leave 200 feet of pressurized garden hose out in the sun and in the afternoon I have a short, warm, plain water wash down of the engine without any cleaner what-so-ever. Works just great - low pressure, warm water = clean engine.

 

[smstonypoint]

Hate spell check it should read crusher run...sorry

FWIW, you have the option of editing your messages after they are posted. There is a time limit -- I'm thinking 24 hours.

Steve

 

[DK35vince]

I pressure wash my engine a couple times a year.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just hose mine off with garden hose. As long as you don't have oil leaks, water should work fine from a garden hose. Pressure washing is no problem as long as you don't get too close to gasketed surfaces, electronic components etc.

I would start with just plain water to remove dirt. If greasy gunk remains spray with engine degreaser like Gunk, Purple Power or Simple Green and let it set for a few minutes then hose off. Repeat as necessary to remove all the grease.

 

[Chugbug]

Thanks all I remember reading on some other site cleaning your engine and engine compartment was a no no. I'll be picking up some engine cleaner. It's been over 8 years and the engine has never been cleaned, the rest of the tractor looks new so will the engine soon.

 

[Gcorron]

all good replies. I've used Gunk for years, simple green also works well, and the purple power.
I thought I'd pass something along, just as an aside.

If you have a Sam's Club close, and are a member, they have a degreaser in their automotive section. It is purple and just says "heavy duty degreaser" on it. My neighbor tried it and told me to try it. Being Sam's it was cheaper than anything else around and I gave it a try, holy cats does that stuff strip the oil and grease off anything!!

Just passing it along, the other stuff works good as well.

George