Cleaning The Engine Down

[STATUE]

A Vetus Diesel not used for 4 years.

Lots of dust and greasy 'crude'.

Before I give it a good service going over, how should I clean it all,including the whole engine compartment, rubber pipes and all !

 

[pvb]

Jizer is good for degreasing, and doesn't smell as bad as Gunk.

 

[Skylark]

Jizer is good for degreasing, and doesn't smell as bad as Gunk.

The smell of either takes me back to a happy place....the 1970s ?

These days I use Screwfix No Nonesense Heavy Duty Degreaser. About £8 for 5 litres.

 

[Poignard]

]

Jizer is good for degreasing, and doesn't smell as bad as Gunk.

What precautions do you take to keep the rinsing water out of the electrical components?

 

[pvb]

]What precautions do you take to keep the rinsing water out of the electrical components?

It's usually fairly easy to avoid drenching electrical stuff. A wet&dry vac cleaner is also useful for finishing.

 

[Poignard]

It's usually fairly easy to avoid drenching electrical stuff. A wet&dry vac cleaner is also useful for finishing.

That's a good idea.

I wonder if a steam cleaner would be good for that job.

 

[PaulRainbow]

]What precautions do you take to keep the rinsing water out of the electrical components?

What precautions do you take to stop water getting onto your car engine ?

When i was in the motor trade we routinely pressure washed engines. As long as you didn't blast it directly into the alternator there was never a problem.

 

[Momac]

Elbow grease
https://www.therange.co.uk/househol...U_Z5nedV_GUYMKnVqzRPxBFsxoCH2oQAvD_BwE#270934
A steam cleaner may help
Not too much water

 

[Slowboat35]

Jizer is good for degreasing, and doesn't smell as bad as Gunk.

If you remember real Gunk you're in for a dreadful disappointment. Gunk is no longer obtainable. Neither I think is real Jizer.
Rather, real Gunk isn't. They now fob you off with some outrageously expensive water-based impostor that like all water-based 'substitutes' simply doesn't work.

 

[Poignard]

What precautions do you take to stop water getting onto your car engine ?

When i was in the motor trade we routinely pressure washed engines. As long as you didn't blast it directly into the alternator there was never a problem.

Anywhere near anything with wires coming out of it I use a solvent, brushes, rags.

 

[SAMYL]

The simplest method I have found, and I have used it for about sixty years now, is to clean the greasy bits with paraffin and a stiff brush. 28 sec central heating oil is really paraffin so you can use that too.
When all the dirt is loosened wash it off with a water jet and it leaves the surface ready to paint.
Gunk and Jizer cost a lot, stink to high heaven and leave a scum which you then have to wash off with a detergent.

 

[Little Dorrit]

I had to clean my engine after the exhaust manifold cracked recently. There was a thick layer of soot covering the whole engine. I used a spray grease solvent to dissolve the existing grease and oil and washed it away with a steam cleaner. If you don't use a solvent the steam cleaner simply redistributes the crease without it ever being totally removed.

Ps it was easier to remove the starter motor and alternator and take the opportunity to rewire rather than risk any water damage.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Anywhere near anything with wires coming out of it I use a solvent, brushes, rags.

Ah, perhaps you're still thinking plug leads and points

 

[Gary Fox]

Paraffin, brushes and rags.

 

[LittleSister]

Ah, perhaps you're still thinking plug leads and points

Don't forget the magneto!

 

[Poignard]

Ah, perhaps you're still thinking plug leads and points