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Engine Degreasing

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hanoverphist

hanoverphist

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recently i had to replace the pressure hose on my steering system. it was busted for a while before i noticed it, and it took me a couple days to actually get to fixing it. in that time, ive had power steering fluids spraying all over the engine, inside panels and hoses.

what is a good way to clean this stuff off? ive never had to degrease an engine, so i dont know the process. do you just go to a self serve car wash, leave the engine running and use the pressure washer with the degreaser on? do you leave the engine off? i have tons of questions, and no real clue. in a lot of things, not just degreasing an engine...
 
I'm going to guess that you're going to get opinions all over the map on this one. Here's my opinion.

You really shouldn't do this. Having said that, if it was my car, I would. Here's what I would do. Most importantly, find a secure way to cover up the alternator. They're essentially wide open and should not be flooded with water. Whether it be a heavy duty plastic bag, foil, or whatever, seal it up as best you can.

Drive the car directly from the house to the car wash. The cooler the under hood area is the better. If the car wash offers a degreaser, I would use it. If not, I would hit the auto parts for a foaming engine degreaser. I would spray it on ONLY what needs cleaning - nothing more. After letting it set the suggested amount of time, I would then rinse those areas using the water as it comes out of the sprayer. Do NOT squeeze the trigger. You do not want high pressure for this. The potential is too great to force water into wiring connectors. They are designed to be water resistant, not waterproof. It will also be easier to control where the water is going when it's just running out instead of spraying out under high pressure.

Don't leave the engine running. Have it off. You don't want it heating up while you're cleaning it and you don't want it to ingest water. You can be as careful as possible and something stupid can still happen.

I'm sure others will have thoughts I haven't considered.
 
while ive done it (pressure wash) the underside of many vehicles to get blowby and old caked crap off, I wouldn't suggest it. What I would do is get a can of oven cleaner (yeah, really.. ) and a regular garden hose. I use oven cleaner because its cheaper than degreaser and works just as well or better and wont discolor plastics or rubber.

Soak everything for a good 10 mins and then use the hose to wash it all off. You probably will need to do this a few times, but oven cleaner can be gotten at the dollar store for 99 cents a can and it works just fine.
 
You really shouldn't do this. Having said that, if it was my car, I would. Here's what I would do.
Click to expand...
Hehe

I had this done once. I had my car running a while with the oil cap off and it sputtered all over the inside of the engine and made a HELL of a mess. I called a detailing place and they hosed the insight with a pressure washer and, wouldn't you know it, they did a damn fine job cleaning it up. The car had 180k miles on it but looked truly clean after that. For a car worth any kind of money I'd think about doing this before selling it. It really makes the engine bay sparkle. I have heard of issues like getting water in around the ignition coils. Maybe some people are more careful with others but I had no issues withi t
 
I start the car for 5 mins, cut it off.

Spray simpe green on it...watch for electronics (your alternator should be fine...)....

wait a bit then rinse with hose pressure and a nozzle...pressure washers are too much. Avoid electronics.

crank it up and let it heat dry.

doing it a few times over the course of a couple days is better then trying to do it all at once.
 
cool, lots of good ideas. and when i say i got it dirty, i mean the whole front of the engine is dripping. including the alternator. at the car wash, i wouldnt have used the high pressure, thats too much for a lot of things. but the one near me does offer an engine degreaser, i just didnt know how to approach the heat of the engine due to driving it to the wash place.
 
The best method I've found is to cover any electronics/critical parts with plastic bags or whatever. Basically just a reminder not to hose down that area. Then use the hose on very low pressure, some simple green in a spray bottle, and a toothbrush. Run a little water from the hose into the area you want to clean, mist lightly with simple green and wait 30 seconds. Then use the toothbrush to loosen up any residue that doesn't float off. Once you're satisfied it's clean enough use the low pressure water to wash away the simple green.

This way you don't have to worry about high pressure getting into sensitive areas, and also get a really good clean, at least for the areas you care to reach.
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
I start the car for 5 mins, cut it off.

Spray simpe green on it...watch for electronics (your alternator should be fine...)....

wait a bit then rinse with hose pressure and a nozzle...pressure washers are too much. Avoid electronics.

crank it up and let it heat dry.

doing it a few times over the course of a couple days is better then trying to do it all at once.
Click to expand...
I've used a hose and pressure washer and found that the pressure washer really isn't much better.

You might also want to take some soapy water and a rag/microfiber and wash the painted areas like the inner fenders and such.

A clean engine bay is a wonderful sight.
 
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