Degreasing the engine bay - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chev74 · 11-21-2007, 10:50 PM

What have you guys used that seems to work the best? I need to clean of the top of the intake, valve covers, block, etc. they have that nice thick layer of grime that seems like its- i dunno 30 some odd years old!!

67CHIP72 · 11-22-2007, 12:09 AM

You can try Gunk and a preasure washer, but I don't know if it will harm the old paint.

dave2953 · 11-22-2007, 12:42 AM

I use some stuff called B-52. I get it at the local parts house. You have to dilute it a bit when spraying on painted surfaces because it will eat through paint at full strength.

**71blksuper4x4** · 11-22-2007, 01:54 AM

I have tried the trick of using gasoline, works wonders. Did it on a transfer case a few years back. Gas will eat threw the grease and grim. Hope this helps, but anymore, it maybe cheaper to buy cans of degreaser.

jeffnohio · 11-22-2007, 02:59 AM

super clean and a wire brush

EAST SIDE LOW LIFE · 11-22-2007, 03:43 AM

Gunk has always worked good for my projects. I just use a garden hose to wash it off. You do not want to over do it with the water pressure. I've always detailed an engine afterwards so I've never been too concerned about condition of paint or the paint for that matter. Gunk comes in spray or foam I've always used the spray.

esll.

retodd7711 · 11-22-2007, 05:11 AM

Dollar store oven cleaner and a trip to the car wash. CHeaper than brand name degreasers and works great. Car washes have a grease seperator so that junk doesn't get in my water.Don't spray on motor and then drive to car wash, stinky!

Longhorn Man · 11-22-2007, 06:09 AM

steam cleaner

chev74 · 11-22-2007, 11:17 AM

i was thinking about the dollar store degreaser... gas is too expensive.

jimmydiesel · 11-22-2007, 11:25 AM

Soak with Simple Green and let it sit for a while then rinse it off. Depending on how baked on the grease is you may need to take a stiff bristled brush to it before you rinse it off. Works better and a lot cheaper than degreaser and no fumes.

cdowns · 11-22-2007, 12:00 PM

spic-n-span granules with water and a stiff parts cleaning brush then rince with a hose or powerwasher has always worked pretty good for me

CJJ67 · 11-22-2007, 12:16 PM

What has always worked really well for me, and it's cheap, is dish washing liquid, a scrub brush and "hot water". Hook your water hose to the hot water side for the washing machine. Wear a pair of rubber gloves (hot hose you know) and go at it. Works really well.

dave3156 · 11-23-2007, 04:34 PM

Another vote for Simple Green. Use it full strength, spray it on and let it sit a few minutes then spray off with hose. You may have to do it a number of times and like already said if the stuff is really thick, use either a wire brush, or if you don't want to scratch the paint, use a stiff bristle brush. I did mine that way and it turned out nice. When it ran on the driveway underneath it also removed the oil spots!

JAKES 68GMC · 11-23-2007, 11:14 PM

Super Clean will put Simple Green to shame, at least in my experience.

odog · 11-24-2007, 12:03 PM

I use deisel smoke remover from our steam store combined with pressure washer on our Rock drills. It cleaners all the baked on grime, oil etc. I just put it in a spray bottle spray it on let it sit for 15 min. then rinse off. Should work on an engine, same basic grime, also cleans my work cloths.

68caliRat · 11-24-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odog

I use deisel smoke remover from our steam store combined with pressure washer on our Rock drills. It cleaners all the baked on grime, oil etc. I just put it in a spray bottle spray it on let it sit for 15 min. then rinse off. Should work on an engine, same basic grime, also cleans my work cloths.

Hell I just use straight Diesel. it melts even the toughest baked on grease with a little help from tooth brush or other scrub brush.

DURRTY · 11-24-2007, 03:32 PM

Gasoline is kinda FLAMABLE too!!! wow diesel will work and be safer if your going that way. It stinks and will stink for a while after your done and its greasy so if you want to paint on those areas its a pain to prep.

It kinda gets down to how much actual labor you want to put in.

11-21-2007, 10:50 PM	#1
chev74 Addicted to Chevy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyler, Tx Posts: 857	Degreasing the engine bay What have you guys used that seems to work the best? I need to clean of the top of the intake, valve covers, block, etc. they have that nice thick layer of grime that seems like its- i dunno 30 some odd years old!!

11-22-2007, 12:09 AM	#2
67CHIP72 STOLEN Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 1,022	Re: Degreasing the engine bay You can try Gunk and a preasure washer, but I don't know if it will harm the old paint. __________________ In Search Of

11-22-2007, 12:42 AM	#3
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Degreasing the engine bay I use some stuff called B-52. I get it at the local parts house. You have to dilute it a bit when spraying on painted surfaces because it will eat through paint at full strength. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

11-22-2007, 01:54 AM	#4
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,155	Re: Degreasing the engine bay I have tried the trick of using gasoline, works wonders. Did it on a transfer case a few years back. Gas will eat threw the grease and grim. Hope this helps, but anymore, it maybe cheaper to buy cans of degreaser. __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

11-22-2007, 02:59 AM	#5
jeffnohio Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 58	Re: Degreasing the engine bay super clean and a wire brush __________________ Jeff 1967 GMC 3/4ton LWB, Orginal Straight 6, 4 on the floor Project truck

11-22-2007, 03:43 AM	#6
EAST SIDE LOW LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,602	Re: Degreasing the engine bay Gunk has always worked good for my projects. I just use a garden hose to wash it off. You do not want to over do it with the water pressure. I've always detailed an engine afterwards so I've never been too concerned about condition of paint or the paint for that matter. Gunk comes in spray or foam I've always used the spray. esll. __________________ Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! Author: Warren Lake .... (member)

11-22-2007, 05:11 AM	#7
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: Degreasing the engine bay Dollar store oven cleaner and a trip to the car wash. CHeaper than brand name degreasers and works great. Car washes have a grease seperator so that junk doesn't get in my water.Don't spray on motor and then drive to car wash, stinky! __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

11-22-2007, 06:09 AM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Degreasing the engine bay steam cleaner

11-22-2007, 11:17 AM	#9
chev74 Addicted to Chevy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyler, Tx Posts: 857	Re: Degreasing the engine bay i was thinking about the dollar store degreaser... gas is too expensive.

11-22-2007, 11:25 AM	#10
jimmydiesel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MT Posts: 51	Re: Degreasing the engine bay Soak with Simple Green and let it sit for a while then rinse it off. Depending on how baked on the grease is you may need to take a stiff bristled brush to it before you rinse it off. Works better and a lot cheaper than degreaser and no fumes.

11-22-2007, 12:00 PM	#11
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Degreasing the engine bay spic-n-span granules with water and a stiff parts cleaning brush then rince with a hose or powerwasher has always worked pretty good for me __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-22-2007, 12:16 PM	#12
CJJ67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Temecula, Ca. Posts: 64	Re: Degreasing the engine bay What has always worked really well for me, and it's cheap, is dish washing liquid, a scrub brush and "hot water". Hook your water hose to the hot water side for the washing machine. Wear a pair of rubber gloves (hot hose you know) and go at it. Works really well.

11-23-2007, 04:34 PM	#13
dave3156 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 336	Re: Degreasing the engine bay Another vote for Simple Green. Use it full strength, spray it on and let it sit a few minutes then spray off with hose. You may have to do it a number of times and like already said if the stuff is really thick, use either a wire brush, or if you don't want to scratch the paint, use a stiff bristle brush. I did mine that way and it turned out nice. When it ran on the driveway underneath it also removed the oil spots!

11-23-2007, 11:14 PM	#14
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,212	Re: Degreasing the engine bay Super Clean will put Simple Green to shame, at least in my experience.

11-24-2007, 12:03 PM	#15
odog Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wendell, Idaho Posts: 608	Re: Degreasing the engine bay I use deisel smoke remover from our steam store combined with pressure washer on our Rock drills. It cleaners all the baked on grime, oil etc. I just put it in a spray bottle spray it on let it sit for 15 min. then rinse off. Should work on an engine, same basic grime, also cleans my work cloths. __________________ 1969 4x4 Nothing beats a good rock drill and some dynamite



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11-24-2007, 03:32 PM	#17
DURRTY USMC Join Date: May 2007 Location: SLc,UT Posts: 300	Re: Degreasing the engine bay Gasoline is kinda FLAMABLE too!!! wow diesel will work and be safer if your going that way. It stinks and will stink for a while after your done and its greasy so if you want to paint on those areas its a pain to prep. It kinda gets down to how much actual labor you want to put in. __________________ Semper Fi

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