How to degrease engine?

[Fassi]

I'm looking for tips and the method for cleaning all the dirt, oil and grime off of the engine. If something is leaking or so in its current state I would have no clue where it is coming from. It actually looks as if it is leaking all over in its current state but I know it isn't.

I've never done anything like this before so looking for a good method and products to use.

Cheers

Fassi

[mikeonb4c]

When I first got mine, I had good results by spraying the engine compartment with gunk, using a paraffin gun that came with the paint spray gun set I bought. I then sprayed it off with water. I sprayed from the top by opening engine covers. Main problem was ensuring that mist didn't in the cab. I didn't give enough thought to that and had to do some wiping down of surfaces plus gunk smell took a few days to disappear. More thought to tenting and covering would sort that. Spraying from underneath isn't really the answer as it risks spraying things best avoided (seat undersides, entry holes to cab etc).

[spikeyboy60]

A good valeting company will often do steam cleaning...let them get mucky
In York,there's a company called Kleencar and they charge £30 for a clean....nicer than doing it yourself

[mikeonb4c]

A good valeting company will often do steam cleaning...let them get mucky
In York,there's a company called Kleencar and they charge £30 for a clean....nicer than doing it yourself

Are there any issues with letting strangers loose with an extreme heat system on a mid engine car, for a budget price? I considered steam cleaning but that was my concern. I reckoned also that doing it myself would help me get to know my Bongo.

[mikeWalsall]

I would think engine de greaser (gung / Jizer etc:) and a normal pressure washer would be OK on a diesel with no spark plugs .. leads / dizzy to get into ..

I have a diesel / lecky steam cleaner that I use on my V6 .. that's always been OK .. Just spray over with some WD40 after using it on the engine ..

[mikeonb4c]

Now that sounds ideal Mike I imagine steam cleaners can be hired?

[JoeC]

Get some Traffic Film Remover (TFR), mix to 50/50 with water and spray onto a cold engine. A garden pressure bottle is good for this kind of thing. Leave to soak for a few mins - can use a brush for those stubborn stains - and then rinse off with a garden hose. Take the nozzle off so water does not spray everywhere. You may need to do a couple or so times depending on how dirty your engine is. This is on my list of things to do.

[mikeonb4c]

Get some Traffic Film Remover (TFR), mix to 50/50 with water and spray onto a cold engine. A garden pressure bottle is good for this kind of thing. Leave to soak for a few mins - can use a brush for those stubborn stains - and then rinse off with a garden hose. Take the nozzle off so water does not spray everywhere. You may need to do a couple or so times depending on how dirty your engine is. This is on my list of things to do.

That's another interesting tip. Out of interest what makes you prefer that over gunk? I can see that being able to do it from a garden sprayer makes it more practical (no doubt gunk would wreck that). Will TFR remove tarry oil deposits without scrubbing do you think?

[Fassi]

Good stuff folks, keep it coming.

I wonder about pressure washing with the old fragile components etc. Is steam cleaning pressurised?

Something I can use in a 'killer spray bottle' sounds ideal. So for this TFR would be better than gunk or Jiz? Ideas?

[mikeWalsall]

A steam cleaner is similar to a pressure washer .. just scalding hot water comes out ..

I can 'suck' TFR into both my steam cleaner or my normal pressure washer to pre 'soap' the engine body / wheels what ever .. before washing off ..

Or like what's been suggested use it in a pump up garden sprayer .. then hose off ...

[mikeonb4c]

Paraffin gun and gunk is probably not pressure washing - more just a gentle searching action. It relies more on the well known ability of gunk to clean filthy engines then wash off with water. I also worked on the assumption that being an engine cleaner it was reasonably OK to let loose on a diesel engine (gun pointed downwards) as there's not much electrical down there to be upset by an unpressurised washing. I'd imagine the traffic film remover and garden spray technique would achieve much the same effect as long as the TFR was effective enough at removing tarry old oil etc (it might do it beter than gunk for all I know!).

[JoeC]

Agree that TFR and Gunk are similar process.

[rita]

A simple method is to use Oven & Grill cleaner,spray on wash off.

[mikeonb4c]

A simple method is to use Oven & Grill cleaner,spray on wash off.

Interesting idea. I'd thought that had corrosive stuff in it that could pose a risk if it came into contact with electrics for example? But if it's been tried and tested it sounds like a great idea.

[JoeC]

Agree that TFR and Gunk are similar process.

You can even buy GUNK TFR