What is the best way to clean the engine compartment??

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2003 Ford Crew Cab 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel 6 spd 4x4(For Sale)

1981 MB 300SD 190,000 miles Gray with cream interior.(sold)
1981 MB 300SD 239,000 miles Cream with Brown interior.(sold)

Pressure wash.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

... or steam clean.

Be sure the engins cold... Don't want a cracked block or exhaust component!

mjstef,

If it is the usual oil, dirt and grime, the Castrol Super Clean does a pretty good job. I was surprixed at its ability to disolve oil. Make sure to hose it out pretty well after.

Chuck

I used Simple Green last time and was impressed. It took off pretty much everything. Plus it's non-toxic which is good since I used it pretty liberally and let it set for an hour and then sprayed it on again and hosed it off after 15 minutes. Make sure the engine is cool like 82-300td said although I would be more worried about the IP than anything else.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

The Detailing Forum mentioned following up with Tire Black treatment for the rubber components to dress up the underhood appearance.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

"Be sure the engine is cold" Good advice. The real problem would be the IP. It has some precision parts that don't like to have cold water sprayed on them when hot.
I keep a 1 gal spayer in the garage. Fill it with Simple Green, or Castrol Cleaner, or the Orange cleaner, whatever is around. Use is regularly to rinse off those oil stains. Works well.

I have done it two way's.
1st. used two can of Gunk then tire brush and scrubbed heavy areas. Then wash it off at self serve car wash.
2nd used one can of Orange Gunk I got at O'Riley's or Kragen. Spray it on no scrubbing just washed it of at self serve car wash.
I spray it on at car wash then wash off. This way the car is not hot.
I then take her out for a drive to dry it off.
Keeping it clean is a lot nicer to work on and spot leak's.
Charlie

I go to the car wash and use the engine de greasing cycle. I have never had any trouble doing it with the engine WARM, not HOT as in just off the freeway.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

With the engine in good condition and everything connected correctly, is there anything that should NOT be touched by a carwash jet?

Keep the water away from the spark plugs...sorry, couldn't resist.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I read somewhere that simple green causes
damage to the valve cover and the like.

Be carefull around the air intake you don't
want any water in the turbo.

Take a clear picture of the vacuum hoses and
connections,you might blow one off and this
way you can reference the pictures for reconnecting
them.

Don't aim the water at the fuse box for to long
you don't want any elect. prob.

I'm sure there are more.
Feel free to complete the list.

Hope this helps.

Louis.

Anything that removes all the oils and sealants from the aluminum parts like the valve cover causes them to oxidize somewhat but I don't think there is any real damage. Just wipe an oily rag or something across them to "seal" the metal again if you don't want the oxidized look.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

The insulators that MB uses on the sensors/switches in the engine compartment can be damaged by many cleaners (Gunk comes immediately to mind) and soaking them with water WILL cause some failures too. I suggest covering the sensors with a plastic bag held on with a rubber band (or something). This has reduced the problems I've had with engine cleaning to NONE. I like the engine to be hot when I start cleaning it. I've tried washing the engine with hot water and cold water and have no preference. Steam will do a great job of cleaning as will a pressure washer, but I don't have either.

Marshall

I have a copy of the CD manual for my car. In it they address the issue of underhood power washing and show which components should be masked off during cleaning. Another reason for every DIYer to have a manual for their car.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K