Keeping Your Engine Clean

[David B.]

I have no problem blasting dirt off of the engines of my two Hondas in the car wash bay. The modern electronics resist water problems.

However, I'd like to clean off some oil and road dirt from my '58's 270 Duntov, especially around the intake manifold. The old girl does leak a bit here and there. I can't imagine putting the power washer to that engine, though, even with the ignition shielding in place.

How do you guys keep your engines clean? Degrease and then wipe off with rags? Thanks.

Dave

[Michael W.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

I have no problem blasting dirt off of the engines of my two Hondas in the car wash bay. The modern electronics resist water problems.

Not forever or consistently. Bad idea on any car.

[Duke W.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

A spray bottle with mineral spirits will dissolve greasy dirt on the engine. On some surfaces you can just spritz until the dirt all runs to the ground, let everything air dry, and it will be clean with no residual left-behind film.

On the inlet manifold, you might want to work the hard stains with an old toothbrush, then irrigate and soak up with rags until the area is clean.

I've seen some really old engines cleaned up, and they actually look worse! The oily dirt covered up flaking paint and surface rust.

Duke

[Clark K.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

I've seen some really old engines cleaned up, and they actually look worse! The oily dirt covered up flaking paint and surface rust. Duke

Dirt will attract moisture, which will lead to rust. It is always best to keep the dirt/oil off the engine. Oil can lift the paint. I use "Scrubbing Bubbles" (yes, the bathroom cleaner) and then use just barely enough water to rinse.

[Paul J.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

For oil and caked on dirt, Engine Brite Heavy Duty degreaser. For shellac and gas stains, Carburator cleaner (I prefer Gumout Carb+Choke Cleaner, but CRC makes a good one too). For everything else, dishwashing detergent. Some elbow grease may be necessary.

Rinse with copius amounts of water from a garden hose (no pressure washers), and wipe off all aluminum surfaces, blotting up any puddles on the intake, etc. Leave the hood open long enough for it to finish drying.

The best way to clean your engine is to keep up with the leaks and dirt. Don't let the dirt build up and the stains soak into the aluminum.

[Anthony P.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

Also when you are done, also blow off the remaining water everywhere it is including the various pockets, such as along the intake. I use an air hose with a nozzle.

[Monte M.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

If it is in an area where you can keep applying to the surface, plain solvent works great. After soaking it a number of time, use paper towel to abosorb the liquid solvent out of it a few time. when you return tomorrow, it will just be dry dirt. Use a toothbrush to dust it off.
I would make sure that the area you are doing will not be affected by the solvent.
After that is done, you can use 409 and another toohbrush to do any finish cleaning that might need to be done.

[Gerry P.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

On the top end of the engine, I use the a spray bottle of simple green, then rinse good with water. I've found simple green w/ a tooth brush will clean up the carb's. For the bottom end, I use a air siphon blow gun (easier, faster and more effective than a spray bottle) (http://www.amazon.com/Milton-S157-Si.../dp/B000COTXEI) with simple green. Let it sit a few minutes and rinse off with water. The air pressure is very helpful in dislodging dirt & grease and removing the oily film which attracts dirt. Of course having a lift makes this job much more palatable.
Gerry

[Al E.]

Re: Keeping Your Engine Clean

I have used the blaster at the carwash before shows. And I have applied some degreaser and used the low powered stream on the coin wash and I always leave sheild on it coil buy not on the plugs.. when I am done it looks wonderful and NEVER does the paint chip.n I will post a few pics this later.
MY uncle has a NCRS top flight car that he also uses the coin wash to clean his engine bay, then he finishes up with a q-tip and fiber cloth.