What's the best way to clean engine & engine room?

[Poignard]

Sorry the link didn't work. No claim to have any field of expertise in anything!

Try this link, then click on 'View safety sheet' http://www.halfords.com/motoring/en...degreaser/gunk-engine-degreaser-aerosol-500ml

Ye Gods! Nasty stuff.

But I notice the safety sheet for brush-on Gunk (which is the only type I use) shows different ingredients to that of aerosol Gunk and it appears safer to use.

Brush: http://www.my-sds.co.uk/Admin/ViewD...feee-43af-84b9-f298d97f5881&primaryReportId=0

Aerosol: http://www.my-sds.co.uk/Admin/ViewD...0932-4aa7-8460-ce01897ba6e2&primaryReportId=0

 

[Bobc]

Also, any solvent-based cleaner would work.

 

[Arcady]

Jizer smells nicer...

+1 and is cheaper than Gunk, as I recall. As others have said, apply with an old spray bottle, agitate with brush, and wash residue off. I used a hosepipe, bilge pump and lots of water. A towel got the last bit of water out of the bilges. A fan heater dried it all out and the Danbolene adhered just fine. (Surely Danbolene has to rate as one of the most satisfying paints to use??!)

 

[dgadee]

Thinners (cellulose) removed baked in oil with a wipe from a cloth in a clean up I did (something requiring an engine rebuild caused it).

 

[fisherman]

I used an engine cleaner from the local motor factor, but after trying a spray bottle used a brush because the spray mist was awful. Then hose with a spray trigger on the end, nice and clean and dry, no smell.

 

[peteK]

All these expensive cleaners I just use Morrisons cream cleaner about 36p and a dishwashing brush to rub it in then rinse off with water.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

......... pay someone! ... :encouragement:

 

[Laysula]

Don't use gunk. the stink is horrendous.

 

[Cactus Sailing]

For what it's worth, I used Cillit Bang when I cleaned mine before fitting new sound insulation.

Pete

+1 not much Cillit Bang wont shift, for the rest theres Jif ... or that cif nonsense

 

[Rob_Webb]

Just about to head to the swindlery here in NZ and see what they have.
Otherwise might be lemon JIC/CIF!

 

[Jim@sea]

In order to clean an engine which is dirty with hardened muck I have bought one of the new Silverline Steam Cleaners (1500 watt) and up to now I am not impressed as it is not hot enough to shift the areas of hardened muck.
I have bought a gallon can of Gunk (£25) and will paint the engine with it, leave it overnight and see if the Steam Cleaner is any use on that,
I may have to go back to the old way of a brush dipped in thinners.

 

[sarabande]

I have very good experience with a number of products produced by OilTechnics.

http://oiltechnics.com/

Their products support people know about removing oil from all kinds of surfaces, and also how some frequently used cheaper products can drive oil deeper into the substrate.

No affiliation, just happy user.