I need tips on removing thick grease from engine.

[Rednek13x]

So i got this 57 with the inline 6 and its caked with old grease and what not. I would really like to clean it up so no grease and crap in the engine bay area. I know how to clean light dirt and stuff in a engine bay with the simple green like spray.

But how would i go about getting this thick crap off? Am i going to hurt anything?

[Sillyoldman]

Scrape & spray where you can and brush where you can't. I would also like to know of a better way. Steam?

[Rednek13x]

Well i worked on it a little tonight. First power washed everything as much as i could. That really really helped and got A LOT of the big thick stuff off. Then i dried it all day and sprayed on some walmart engine de greaser and let sit for a few minutes. Power washed it all again. Im to the point now were its pretty clean. There is still some hard grease that will need to be scraped off. I found break cleaner to work pretty dang good for the scrapping and brushing.

[Sillyoldman]

Oh wow it's green! Looks tons better.

[Rednek13x]

Ill keep picking slowly away at the grime with my fingernail and toothbrush.

[treveiger]

I've heard a heated pressure washer works great also. We have one but never used the heat part lol.
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[imdarren]

Oven cleaner melts away stuff like that like MAGIC!
You just have to be careful not to get it on your skin or eyes. And if you do, wash it off right away.
You have to be careful because it is so strong it will strip paint and start to rust right away all in one step. It can mess up aluminum too if you leave it on too long. So use caution.
If you don't want paint stripped, don't use it, just use multiple applications of degreaser. Darren

[treveiger]

You can use oven cleaner but wear a mask an gloves an also glasses wouldn't be a bad idea. That stuff is nasty an if breathed in will mess you up. Used some a over a week ago for my motor and tranny an still have a sore throat.
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[leddzepp]

Marine Clean by POR. It is like simple green x 1000.

[Rednek13x]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Marine Clean by POR. It is like simple green x 1000.

Will that stuff affect paint/gaskets or harm anything?

[leddzepp]

I have not had a problem with it. I would try to avoid getting it on areas that don't need it.

[yote1234]

i have heard diesel fuel is a good cleaner and wont take paint...?

[motornut]

Originally Posted by treveiger

I've heard a heated pressure washer works great also. We have one but never used the heat part lol.
Posted via Mobile Device

I've used just degreaser's in a can
but after high school i did pressure washing for a couple of years
drove a 5ton with water onboard and the washer system
i'd do greasy tanker trucks and the heat would peel the oily dirt off
sometimes leaving clean streaks if you got too close but the fifth wheel hitches would have to be spotless after for safety inspection
for sure heat works,you can find it at the bottom of your ho****er tank or you can plumb it to your outside tap,use regular shut offs from each line to a y ,then outside,if it gets frosty you need to drain both in the winter

[motornut]

also pressure washer drive in bays use hot water here

[primrrd]

diesel is a decent degreaser- i restored a few tractors that had a lot of real estate mixed with oil and grease stuck to it--- initial cleaning involved a few soakings with diesel- it loosened it up and made it easier to chip away later.... looks like you are making good progress on the clean up!
- and yes, even if you just are using a brush and soapy water, hot water always works better.
**
motornut,
it took me a few minutes to figure out why the filter wouldn't let you type about your ho****er heater. made me laugh

[72BlckButy]

Nice work on that engine bay.

[jhaymon]

remember you hot water heater has a tap to hook up a water hose. that combined with a pressure washer does a magnificent job

[rod1701]

For the fire wall, if there isn't caked on grease, and.just the regular dust, dirt and road grime, I have found that us a spray on rinse off wheel cleaner will cut it well.

Also working on the Suburban engine bay, not sure it has been cleaned in 45 years. Honestly .other sure.if the engine has ever been out of the truck. Even the drivers side heat shield was still on the manifold. Will have to.take a pic a d show what was attached to passengers side manifold.at the flange, looked.like.a.valve or baffle.of.some sort.

Anyway, Started with Purple.Power, not a dent. Moved to POR, very little difference. Then to $1 oven cleaner and cut most of it off. Then pulled brackets, manifolds, pulleys and accessories and.found tons more goop.Hit it again with oven cleaner, while keeping exhaust ports plugged. Going to check again tomorrow. I.think another light oven cleaner.and.maybe brake.spray cleaner.Dr before painting.