Engine cleaner?

[Montemar]

I have bought a boat that needs a b****y good clean.
I would like to clean the engines and am disposed towards something like white spirit as it would leave some oil film behind but dissolve must of the muck. It is, of course, inflammable so not desirable in the bilges. I would soak it all up in an old sheet and dispose of that but there is the question of fumes.
Is there anything that is non-flammable that will do the same sort of job?
Many thanks in advance for all replies.

 

[nauticalnomad]

Bilgex

 

[bigwow]

Gunk

 

[maverickofpoole]

Agree with both the above recommendations. Gunk for the engine and bilgex for the bilges

 

[Montemar]

Thank you.

 

[Corky]

I always clean my engines with de-greasant aerosol. Used to use Gunk but found a cheaper version in Pound shop. Leave it to soak, give a scrub with a paint brush and hose off (obviously make sure electrics are all turned off). The dirty water falls into the engine bilges where your bilge pump should pump it out. You may need a few applications but it comes up nice and clean. You'll end up cleaning the bilges to finish the job - done the same way but with lots of cloths/paper towel to finish off. I do like having nice clean bilges helps spot leaks etc.

 

[Poignard]

Gunk

+1

 

[KevB]

Problem with gunk is it leaves a smell, forever.

 

[petem]

I think we should have some 'show us your bilges' pics. Who's going first?

 

[Montemar]

Thanks again, perhaps the cleaner from Poundland smells less than gunk. It would be possible to spray with Febreze afterwards or the Poundland equivalent or put a few bunches of flowers around the engine compartment - tastefully of course.

 

[Momac]

The dirty water falls into the engine bilges where your bilge pump should pump it out. .

Not very environmentally friendly to say the least. You don't really do that do you?

 

[Jamesuk]

Buy a worker for the day OR G101 Autosmart does the jobs you hate

 

[Montemar]

Thanks.
There appears to be a bilge section under each engine to prevent oil getting into the main bilge and pump. I am resigned to a messy mop up job.

 

[SAMYL]

Problem with gunk is it leaves a smell, forever.

And a scum which is impossible to clean off.