Hi everbody, This might sound like a wired question. My engine (and front suspension components) have a thick (in certain areas almost 1/2" thick) build up of old grease and oil. I scraped off the front cross member when I replaced the water pump, but how do i get rid of the oil/grease in other areas? I was thinking of dousing the engine with a heavy degreaser (e.g. Simple Green), let it soak for a while and then pressure wash the engine/engine compartment. Any areas (besides distributor and voltage regulator) that should NOT get a pressure washing? Chris
Definitely NOT the alternator/ generator! Any component with a seal; the immediate area by the seal (no closer than 1/2 inch). Simple Green is good; Not caustic as are a LOT of other cleaners (Purple Power, Greased Lightning, Totally Awesome, etc). Those kind of cleaners will also discolor plastic! However, based on the description of all the crud buildup, I actually recomend using one of the above mentioned types to get into that stuff. Definely wear protective equipment using pressure washer, especially with strong cleaners. That stuff burns if it gets into a break in the skin!
I tried Simple Green. OK, if you want to just clean up a little. It's really not that effective, however. That thick caked-on grease will laugh at it. Are you going to be repainting the block? If you are, then oven cleaner is by far the best and easiest thing to use. The blue can of fume-free cleaner is very effective. It WILL ruin paint. But nothing is better at cutting caked-on grease. Not even close. Take a look at the '60 LeSabre thread and you will be before/after pics of my engine. It was a ton of work, I will not lie. Between the oven cleaner, wire brushes (both drill-mount and hand), and carb cleaner, it got done. I would not use a pressure washer on my engine. Ever. I realize that oven cleaner is not the best from an enviro perspective. I used as little water as possible. Most of the gunk wound up dried up, in a pile, below the car. I let it dry out and swept it all up. I used a regular garden hose judiciously. And lots of cheap plastic sheeting.
Bug and Tar remover for areas you don't want to tarnish. Simple green for large areas that are not heavy gunck. Brake cleaner or Carb cleaner for the yucky thick stuff. Oven cleaner to take off everything, even most paint and rubber.
Depends on the rubber. Most rubber is safe from oven cleaner. It does pay to check. When I did my engine, the carb was off and the intake port was taped over with aluminum tape. I plugged the fuel pump fitting with a rubber hose and a screw. The generator was off of the car, as were all of the brackets, which got stripped and repainted separately. Radiator and water pump were out. Someone came up with the idea of a kiddie pool underneath to catch the droppings. That is a good idea.
I been taking all my vehicles to the pressure washer once a month when they are on the road now for over 10 years and never had a problem. I just use the selector to pick "degreaser" then spray it, let it soak, then rinse with the high pressure rinse. I always keep it running and the heat helps it clean. everyone ALWAYS comments on how clean my engine bays are and i like it because i dont get all grease when i gotta work on it. I have done this to everything from a 55 buick to a 81 honda to a 97 explorer to a 09 focus to a 61 electra.... you get the picture, i never had a problem even once...
For home: I used can based stuff (gunk etc) with a small pressure washer with good results. If not too nasty just a sprayer nozzle on garden hose can do wonders. Car wash: I second the degreaser selection. The high pressure does much of the work tho. Go slow when using pressure washers and you will have no trouble. Short bursts and check. rinse/repeat. If really really caked on scrape it away first. The first few times I tried it I would bring plastic bags and rags to wrap the carb but didnt bother later. The worst thing that ever happened was I got too eager and forgot the dwell adj door was missing! Had to remove cap at the wash and dry it.
Surprised no one has mentioned plastic bags!!! Cover the carb, distributor and anything electrical you feel is sensitive with a plastic grocery bag, and tape the end shut. Point all bag openings DOWN, that way gravity wont work against you. Pressure washed lots of engine bays, and it works great. Actually dont have a pressure washer, just used a garden hose with a degreaser.
When I lived in CA. and worked on mine and other folks stuff, I would go to the local Rent-a-Center and bring home and use their steam cleaner. Always worked great left no chemical residue (other than what it cleaned off old grease/oil/etc.). I have been looking to get one here at my shop now so I don't have to go rent one. Back then (early eighties) it was 35 bucks a day.
Put a grease remover like the one to clean a car before you paint it into a spray bottle. Hook pressure washer up to the hot side of your washing machine. Works great. Hot makes all the dfference.
I have thought about running a hot water tap for this purpose but never got around to it. Think that will be my winter project.:beer
