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wes101382
User
Feb 10, 2010, 1:55 PM
Post #1 of 11
(16835 views)
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WAshing the car engine
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I just purchased a 1992 Ford F150 with the 302. The truck has been very well taken care of and the paint is in great shape, but the motor is a bit dirty with dust and some dirt. How can i clean my engine without doing any damage to it?
Thank you,
Wes
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 10, 2010, 3:02 PM
Post #2 of 11
(16828 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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Don't clean it with water! Use rags and wipe it clean as best you can. Lately I've discovered the no touch tire foam and still touch and wipe it down looks pretty good! More trouble is caused with cleaning than the dirt will do especially pressure washing! Do any detail with engine cold or close and others may disagree but I would strictly avoid water,
T
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theorytest
User
Mar 5, 2010, 3:19 AM
Post #3 of 11
(16798 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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Hi,
Drive the car and get the engine to operating temperature. Rinse it off with a pressure washer but try to avoid electrical components or cover them. The water will just boil on the hot engine and evaporate before it can do any damage to your engine.
Hope this will help
http://www.theory-test.co.uk
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 5, 2010, 4:47 AM
Post #4 of 11
(16797 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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Just what I suggest NOT to do! Hot engine = broken parts when shocked cold. Unseen puddles of water in wrong places and more. Broken exhaust manifold(s) cracks in pipes, shields. Degreasers of any kind remove protective coatings from items and causes corrosion. The usual grease and dirt isn't hurting anything, why make trouble?
Is something like this worth it?
T
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wes101382
User
Mar 5, 2010, 9:51 AM
Post #5 of 11
(16792 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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Thank you. I suppose i will leave it alone. Not like im going to be showing off the motor any how lol. Just got the truck and been cleaning it up. Thanks for the post.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 5, 2010, 3:23 PM
Post #6 of 11
(16789 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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I think I was a bit hard on using water on the post that suggested it with warm/hot engine. You certainly can clean it all up without hosing it down or pressure washing! I'm a freak for a few of my TOO MANY vehicles and keep them clean everywhere.
Under-hood, I like to use....
* The tire foam stuff
* Plain yellow can pledge furniture polish!
* Good old WD-40
* Rags, bottle brushes or whatever to reach difficult area.
All of the above don't hurt stuff and done cool colder engine. Also the same products are good for door jams, trunk guttering, the Pledge on rubber door, hood, trunk weatherstripping.
If you want to get fussy with plastic air intake duct work, take it all off and remove electrical stuff and clean that off and away from the vehicle - dry it out completely and re-install.
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Engine electrical anything should not be sprayed up hard with water or cleaners - anyone who want to go for it. See what can happen to coils, alternators, starters, this list is endless. All that junk that plugs in everywhere is frequently greased when new and washing that away (water shouldn't get in anyway) doesn't help anything.
If things are way too oily or greasy then there's something to fix. Some over time is normal,
T
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garry12
New User
Apr 12, 2010, 10:21 AM
Post #7 of 11
(16691 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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you can do this by vacuum cleaner this will help you without damage your engine and you can clean your engine
thanks
_______________
(link removed - not allowed)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Apr 12, 2010, 1:16 PM)
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matthewsmith
New User
Jul 30, 2010, 4:13 AM
Post #8 of 11
(16481 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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- Warm up the engine slightly. Do not get the engine to operating temperature, but allow it to run for a minute or so if it is heavily soiled.
- Move the car to an area where the soap and material cleaned off will not cause damage or enter a storm drain. If you do not have access to a suitable location, take the vehicle to a car wash with an industrial wastewater treatment system. This is especially important if there is a lot of oil and sludge residue on the engine.
- Remove the negative terminal cable on the battery then the positive.
- Cover any exposed electrical components with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. This will prevent the electrical components of the car from being exposed to water which will be needed.
- Cover the breather or air intake and carburetor on older engines with heavy aluminum foil or plastic. You may choose to tape or tie this in place, since water can cause serious problems if allowed into this area.
- Brush any loose dirt or debris from the engine surfaces, either using a stiff bristle paint brush, or a plastic bristle cleaning brush.
- Mix a solution of "grease cutting" dish detergent and water, using about 2 cups detergent to one gallon water.
- Brush your solution on the engine, working it into the dirtiest areas, wetting them thoroughly.
- Get a garden hose. Thoroughly rinse the engine.
- Consult the vehicle's service manual and look up material that will be needed to clean the engine block and other metal parts. For heavy grease, you may have to use a solvent like mineral spirits, but engine de-greaser, available at automotive supply stores would be better. A household de-greaser such as Simple Green may also be effective. Be sure to follow the instructions on the container.
- Remove plastic after rinsing engine and cleaning away residue of whatever chemical that you used to clean the metal components.
- Let the engine dry. Most engines with high energy ignitions will run with the plug wires (and distributor) wet, but may misfire or run "rough" until these components dry out completely.
- Remove all the materials you used to cover electrical and fuel system components.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 30, 2010, 4:58 AM
Post #9 of 11
(16475 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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Since there is no safe or legal way to wash a greasy engine, we do not endorse doing it all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 30, 2010, 5:53 AM
Post #10 of 11
(16469 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine - NOT WITH WATER
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matthewsmith: Don't know where you found that bit Matthew but it's just plain stupid if not illegal!
I just got thru (old thread) saying what damage comes from cleaning and engine with water and you say to do it.
Folks aren't exactly driving somewhere and engine is cool now for your industrial waste place to wash it are they?
Electrical items everwhere are water resistant but not generally water proof. If you want to do this have at it. When perhaps hundreds to thousands of dollars in damage happens at least they'll be clean parts to throw out.
If it can't be done dry and cold when greasy build up from a problem may have happened then take those parts off to clean them if really necessary.
Washing engine is not endorsed by me other than already stated. Car collectors - do what you need to for show cars and don't know any that already don't have a plan that doesn't ruin parts,
Tom Greenleaf
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johnsonmatt
Novice
Jan 19, 2011, 11:46 PM
Post #11 of 11
(13180 views)
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Re: WAshing the car engine
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Thank u for giving information of washing tips. It will helpful to me for caring my car.
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