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Old 12-16-2025, 11:46 PM   #1
67RS/SSx2
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Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

I am about to pull an engine. The engine bay is a little greasy but not real bad. What cleaners have you had success with for such an application?

Thanks!
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Old 12-17-2025, 12:01 AM   #2
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Simple Green works great if itis not caked up grease.
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Old 12-17-2025, 12:44 AM   #3
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

If it runs and drives I drive it to the car wash and use a can of Gunk engine degreaser and then wash it with the car wash. Best to do it at a time when the car wash manager isn't there though. Take a can of WD 40, roll of paper towels and a screwdriver to get the cap off in case it gets condensation inside the cap. I flat towed my 71 to the car wash with the nose off because it was pretty nasty before I put the Cad 500 in it.
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Old 12-17-2025, 12:50 AM   #4
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

I remember using Zip Strip to strip the paint off of a Corvette at a car wash in the early 70s. We did clean up the mess though. At least that's how I like to remember it.

Tom
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Old 12-17-2025, 02:38 PM   #5
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

I've had great luck with Purple Power in a spray bottle, but it does require rinsing
Castrol Super clean was almost as good

The Zep All-Purpose degreaser takes a few minutes to soften things up. I mostly use this for things I can soak in a bucket, then brush now. Not as fast as the other two, but it's cheap
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Old 12-17-2025, 02:43 PM   #6
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Oil Eater works well also.

https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Eater-Ori...s%2C117&sr=8-5
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Old 12-17-2025, 03:12 PM   #7
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

I've also used Purple Power, but any bare metal should have at least clear painted on it to minimize rust.
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Old 12-17-2025, 06:25 PM   #8
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Gunk.
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Old 12-17-2025, 06:36 PM   #9
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Pretty hard to beat a pressure washer, assuming you have access to one. And start by spraying on a solvent-based degreaser like Gunk Engine Cleaner.
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Old 12-17-2025, 07:39 PM   #10
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Another vote for Oil Eater. I mix it 50/50 with water in a 1 gallon sprayer.
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Old 12-17-2025, 08:18 PM   #11
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Super Clean. I buy it in a gallon bottle. NaOH -based degreasers will cut grease the best. Use a pressure washer to blast off the softened grime. You may also need to use a plastic scraper to get rid of the decades-old crust.
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Old 12-18-2025, 01:26 AM   #12
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

[QUOTE=Getter-Done;9415114]Oil Eater works well also.

https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Eater-Ori.../dp/B089VLJZQY

I like this so much , I buy it by the 5 gallon can. The best out there
Vic

Last edited by LockDoc; 12-18-2025 at 04:27 PM.
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Old 12-18-2025, 02:15 PM   #13
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

[quote=vics stuff;9415204]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Getter-Done View Post
Oil Eater works well also.

[url]https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Eater-Original-Cleaner-Degreaser/dp/B089
I like this so much , I buy it by the 5 gallon can. The best out there
Vic
That will be my next purchase.
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Old 12-18-2025, 07:43 PM   #14
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Project Farm, as usual, has a good comparison test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHISaDS1wb0
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Old 12-18-2025, 10:42 PM   #15
67RS/SSx2
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm sure one (or more) of these will do what I need.
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1969 Camaro RS with SS trim, 1967 Camaro RS/SS (sold)
1983 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 crew cab (sold)
1972 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super (sold)
1984 Chevy Silverado C20 crew cab (bought new by my uncle, in the family until I sold it)
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Old 12-18-2025, 11:09 PM   #16
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sicklajoie View Post
Project Farm, as usual, has a good comparison test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHISaDS1wb0
I know I have seen that one.
But I will watch it again.

He is good and has only let me down one time on a dash camera.

He really spends some time on all this research.
No way he can catch every flaw.
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Old 12-19-2025, 12:14 PM   #17
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

I personally use "Awesome" citrus cleaner available at your local Dollar General for about $8 per gallon. I use it full strength...works well.
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Old 12-19-2025, 12:50 PM   #18
71CHEVYSHORTBED402
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Depends on condition IMO. If it's kind of bad and a driver then spray away. I've used Por15 and Super Clean that work great. If it's better than that then detail it with cloth, a paint brush, perhaps a little dish soap or simple green in a water bottle. I made a bonnet on a stick to reach the firewall.
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Old 12-19-2025, 01:08 PM   #19
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations

Only way get it really clean is a soapy pressure washer with any of the de-greasers previously applied, personally I use purple power or super clean. I've tried Simple green, but it didn't quite do the job I was expecting
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