engine cleaning

[nerraw117]

What does everyone use to clean where you are working after the vehicle is in the garage with tires off on lift? for example the front end of the engine. I am working on a timing job and I did not realize the front of the engine was so filthy. Normally I would pressure wash and degrease it earlier. Spray cleaner with a siphon gun? Alot of brake clean?

 

[BillK]

Probably Brake Kleen with a big drain pan underneath. Expensive but it does a good job and does not make too much of a mess.

 

[CraigStu]

4-5 months ago I was going to replace a power steering pump. Experience tells me that one way or the other I always end up w/ fluid drips from about 3-4 spots. So I got one of those galvanized metal drip pans maybe 2'x3' w/ about 1.25" wall around the edges. Worked great. So yeah, one of those, and 2-3 cans of brake cleaner. BTW, if you have an air compressor, for the next time get one like this.
https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn... Reels & Hose Accessories Ad Group - Supplier
I have been amazed how well this works even w/ plain water.

 

[purediesel]

In that situation it would be brakeclean and a drip pan for sure. If it was before the work started Id go to the car wash with a 70/30 mixture of simple green and clean water.

 

[recountryman]

scrubbing bubbles, spray on let sit for a bit and rinse off. But guess if its really caked on may need something stronger and a pressure washer of course turn pressure down when spraying the motor and watch out for electrical connectors coil packs and such.

 

[575cat]

If its a Ford triton dont do it .

 

[nadogail]

I have used Janitor in a Drum and a stiff brush to good advantage.

 

[bradpac]

If you have caked on stuff, a stiff brush and some simple green will help first, then finish off with brake kleen. You can waste a lot of expensive solvent trying to get it to eat through dirt when a brush will knock it off a lot faster.

 

[gungatim]

inside is a mess, BTDT, I'd put the wheels on and push it out and spray/powerwash, blow off outside, then push it back in. I've done that a couple times and didn't regret spending the extra labor...

 

[Ralf11]

for big gunks, use a wooden wedge

hot water (steam if possible) with detergent is a better friend than pressure alone - you also have to watch out where it drains to avoid polluting your kids swimming hole and your fishing spots

I do Brake Kleen last

if you own a Pooschey and are real OCD, then it's toothbrush time...

 

[Ocho]

Have used Gunk Engine Brite for years. Spray it on, wipe it off.

 

[Mark_17]

The best I've ever used was a hot water pressure washer. Obviously this makes a mess.

Cleanest way to keep your shop clean is brake clean and a bunch of rags

 

[recountryman]

If its a Ford triton dont do it .

Why? My truck has the 5.4l and no issue in almost 20 years.Just don't flood the engine with water and be careful around the cops and electrical should be any issues.

 

[Pziddy29]

Brakekleen is by far the most effective but in theory you just need a really good degreaser. Brakekleen dissolves oils fast. However letting a good degreaser sit for a half hour or longer is also awesome. I normally use simple green cause its non toxic but you have to let it sit or if you want that crazy toxic stuff greez off works best after it sits. It all depends on what you wanna do if its a small spot or if the engine i puking oil out of every orfice its got.

 

[Bogie1632]

Couple options I've used.

Large drip pan, scrub/rinse engine with your favorite cleaner. Toss some paper towels on before and most of the crud will stay with the paper for cleanup. Keeps most of the junk off the floor. I usually use an engine degreaser/cleaner but some stubborn stuff gets brake cleaner and a stiff brush or rag wiping.

Power wash it. Get the floor nice and wet first and most of the crud will stay on top of the water. Mop it all up with a good mop and floor cleaner. I dump the nasty water down a large funnel, thru some paper towels or abs pads, a couple times before I dump the water down the drain. A bit more work, but I'm not dumping engine or trans oil down my drains...at least not much if any.

V/R
Bogie