Degreasing the engine bay

[chev74]

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]

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

[dave2953]

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]

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]

super clean and a wire brush

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

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]

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]

steam cleaner

[chev74]

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

[jimmydiesel]

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]

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]

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]

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!

[60ratrod]

i used carb cleaner when i cleaned up the motor that i put back into my 60. cleaned it up really good and ate through all the grease grit and grime. but it took me like 3-4 cans and a bunch of rags to get it clean though.

[JAKES 68GMC]

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

[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.

[68caliRat]

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]

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.