WD 40?

[Carmel2]

Last summer we had quite a lot of work done on the engine, and at the end the guy said do you want us to spray WD40 on it, I said yes, and his apprentice used a whole can! So now when the engine gets up to heat the stuff drips into the bay and it's a right mess! How many hours do you think this is going to take to get rid? (Yep piece of string question)

Alternatively has anyone steam cleaned one like you would a car...?

 

[pvb]

WD40 is basically light oil in a white spirit base. You might try washing the engine with Jizer or similar degreaser.

 

[Actionmat]

Try Gunk spray foam. I've used it on my engines to good effect and it washes off with a kettle of water.

 

[TQA]

Be prepared for rusting if you wash it off.

 

[RichardS]

WD40 should evaporate off fairly quickly. One season should easily be long enough. I think I would clean up the run-off an best I could and wait for the engine to dry out.

Spraying the entire engine with WD40 seems a bit left-field. A wipe down with an oil rag is one thing, or using the proper stuff like AC50 is another ..... but a whole can of WD40. Seriously!

Richard

 

[Carmel2]

WD40 should evaporate off fairly quickly. One season should easily be long enough. I think I would clean up the run-off an best I could and wait for the engine to dry out.

Spraying the entire engine with WD40 seems a bit left-field. A wipe down with an oil rag is one thing, or using the proper stuff like AC50 is another ..... but a whole can of WD40. Seriously!

Richard

Hmmm yes I think you could be right, put up and mop up..The problem is, as you all know there are so many nooks and crannies for the stuff to gather up....tar all!

 

[MengWalton]

I wouldn't worry about it. Its is protecting the outside from rust but is should be wiped with a wet rag and if using lots you should use something like AC50 as said above.
Is it making that much of a mess? I would expect it to most of it would have evaporated after a few weeks couple of months max.......

Reading all of the above it appears iv'e basically I have just said what they said but well I've wrote it now

 

[ghostlymoron]

We don't mention WD40 on here - some people get upset.

 

[Seajet]

WD40 is a Water Dispersal agent, formula no. 40 worked...

It's great stuff for quick fixes but in no way permanent protection; I'm surprised you find it making a mess as it should evaporate.

The ' engineer ' sounds like a clown; if you want long term protection stuff like Waxoyl would do the trick, but not on bits which get hot - lovely smell but it might wear on the senses after a while.

Proper heatproof paint would be better, but an engine shouldn't really need it.

 

[Scubadoo]

WD40 is a Water Dispersal agent, formula no. 40 worked...

It's great stuff for quick fixes but in no way permanent protection; I'm surprised you find it making a mess as it should evaporate.

The ' engineer ' sounds like a clown; if you want long term protection stuff like Waxoyl would do the trick, but not on bits which get hot - lovely smell but it might wear on the senses after a while.

Proper heatproof paint would be better, but an engine shouldn't really need it.

Don't use waxoyl it can also make quite a mess and also it is the same colour as rust so you think you are looking at waxoyl but then realise it is rust, been there. I just cleaned it all off and simply spray paint the engine usually have to do this every two years (touch up). I do still use waxoyl for some things in the engine bay as it last well.

 

[lw395]

I've never steam cleaned a boat engine.
Or a car engine come to that.
You need to decide do you want it oily or not.
If it's not oily, it will tend to corrode if/where it gets wet, if it's not well painted.
If it's well painted, you could just wash it like you would a motorbike engine, then put a drop of light oil on all the nuts and bolts.
The various rubber and plastic bits (e.g. hoses, electrical bits....) may not like being soaked in wd40.

Personally, I think I'd just wipe off as much as possible with kitchen roll, take it for a spin and repeat.

I'd rather have my engine painted than oily, it makes working on it much cleaner. Makes diesel leaks obvious etc.

I don't think I'll be using that mechanic.

 

[northwind]

WD40 was invented to protect the atlas missile whilst on the Launchpad.. there is a great radio4 documentary about the company..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00m721v

 

[Seajet]

Don't use waxoyl it can also make quite a mess and also it is the same colour as rust so you think you are looking at waxoyl but then realise it is rust, been there. I just cleaned it all off and simply spray paint the engine usually have to do this every two years (touch up). I do still use waxoyl for some things in the engine bay as it last well.

Waxoyl is translucent white, so will only ' show rust ' if applied over rust !

Not to be used on particularly hot bits, otherwise it works fine - not a magic time machine solution, but generally fine.

 

[Scubadoo]

Waxoyl is translucent white, so will only ' show rust ' if applied over rust !

Not to be used on particularly hot bits, otherwise it works fine - not a magic time machine solution, but generally fine.

Sorry I have to disagree, it goes brownish colour and mine I know had no rust underneath.

 

[Seajet]

Maybe external influences ? Mine stayed off-white even on the old heaps I usually have !