[AT] Engine Cleaner

[Spencer Yost]

I agree. I think the lye based cleaners like simple green or the purple stuff,  a brush, and a garden hose will do a nice job of cutting most of the grime. Lye cleaners will hurt aluminum, so be careful of aluminum parts. But in my experience the aluminum parts are so pitted and corroded from environmental damage that the lye cleaners won't do any additional damage.

Be careful with the electronics and good luck!

Ps:   Let the cleaners soak and two coats are worth the extra effort.


Spencer Yost

> On Mar 30, 2016, at 11:28 PM, Phil Auten <pga2 at basicisp.net> wrote:
> 
> One thing you need to watch out for is engines that use the 
> "coil-on-plug" system or coil packs like in the GM LS series of engines. 
> Pressure washers can damage them, causing you to have to replace them, 
> $$. Also watch out for the wiring harness for injectors. Again high 
> pressure water can cut the insulation if care is not taken.
> If detergent is applied first and allowed to soak for a while, a garden 
> hose should rinse most of the grime away.
> A stiff bristle brush will help with the stubborn spots. Have fun, Gil.
> 
> Phil in TX
> 
>> On 3/30/2016 1:51 PM, Len Rugen wrote:
>> If there is a garage in the are that would "steam clean" an engine, ask them what it would cost. I don't think any homeowner alternative works as well, and if you go to a car wash, you can damage hot engine parts washing them.  I used to have access to a "steam cleaner" that was steam powered, but had a drum of diluted soap that it mixed it, it was great.  It was hot enough that it softened the dirt and things dried pretty quickly.
>> Since then, I've got a Y washer hookup so I can connect hot and cold hose bibs to a single hose, then I can run warm water thru my regular pressure washer.  I just mix dilute Dawn dish shop in a 1 gal hand sprayer, spray the soap first, let it set, then wash as best as I can.  Simple Green works, I've used Bug and Tar spray on really bad stuff.
>> 
>> Len Rugen
>> 
>> rugenl at yahoo.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>     On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 1:30 PM, "vschwartz1 at comcast.net" <vschwartz1 at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>  At the risk of starting something here that I would rather not I will put this question to you folks. My pickup is 12 years old, and I would like to use some kind of a spray on engine cleaner. The engine is not real dirty, but I would like to clean up the engine compartment and the engine. The engine is gasoline, and I cleaned it one time, a long time ago. I have been to Wal-Mart, O'Riley, and a couple of other auto parts stores. The best offer I have had so far is Gunk cleaner, which I am not too proud of. I would like something better. I saw a pickup a few days ago, that was almost as old as mine. That pickup engine was super clean and shined better than new. I do not expect mine to ever look like that.
>> Anyone have any ideas, I would surely appreciate it.
>> Gil
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