All Purpose Cleaning - your thoughts

['86erfixer]

I've decided I need to clean my rig up. Was changing fluids yesterday and the fuel line (to carb) sprung a leak and fuel went everywhere. While I was soaking up the pools of gas on my intake I realized I have a nice new engine that looks like sh*t. So I have an oil leak from block somewhere, leaky transum, leaky t-case, and normal sh*tty looking axles. It's all getting cleaned up, so I can tell exactly where the leaks are coming from. And so my rig doesn't look like she was rode hard for 23 years and put away wet.

My question is: do you guys just use cans & cans of engine degreaser to clean everything up? When everything is cleaned and dry what do I need to make sure stays greased? Obviously make sure nothing gets in the intake, but any other trouble areas I should be cautious around?

I don't want to pressure wash under the hood. I installed this engine and it was my first auto experience. If I blow some wires off of something (starter, alternator, etc.) I'd never be able to figure out what went wrong.

This is long, my bad. Guess I should have just said, "Any tips for cleaning under the hood and everywhere else?"

 

[Chevy305]

I love simple green. But for real thick caked grease I like to use brake cleaner. Wrap the carb, alternator, and distributor in plastic of some sort and have at it with a garden hose scrub brush and the simple green.

 

[k20]

If theres no polished aluminum (mr bling here lol) I use purple power. Its alot cheaper than cans of engine degreaser. IIRC a 2.5 gallon container at walmart is ~10 bucks. Spray that on all the grease, let it sit a little (I dont dilute the stuff), then pressure wash it off. Seems to work best if the truck/grease is dry so if it all doesnt come off at first, take a break for an hour or two, then hit it again. Walmarts engine degreaser & brake cleaner is also a heckuva lot cheaper than the stuff at autozone and it works just as good, for another tip.

As far as what to keep greased, u-joints, steering components, driveshafts, etc. Looks for grease zerks lol.

 

[mnstrburbon]

If theres no polished aluminum (mr bling here lol) I use purple power. Its alot cheaper than cans of engine degreaser. IIRC a 2.5 gallon container at walmart is ~10 bucks. Spray that on all the grease, let it sit a little (I dont dilute the stuff), then pressure wash it off. Seems to work best if the truck/grease is dry so if it all doesnt come off at first, take a break for an hour or two, then hit it again. Walmarts engine degreaser & brake cleaner is also a heckuva lot cheaper than the stuff at autozone and it works just as good, for another tip.

As far as what to keep greased, u-joints, steering components, driveshafts, etc. Looks for grease zerks lol.

2 for the purple power i get it at autozone been using that stuff for years. Wear gloves it will eat into youre skin and i pre wet the surface as it will discolor some paint or remove it all together.

 

[yellowK20]

x3 on the purple stuff.


Oven cleaner works good too

 

[sponsoredbydad]

I use a hot pressure washer/steam cleaner

 

[K5dreamer]

avoidance is the best policy. I would clean the engine well, drive it for a week, and track the leaks. most likely its valve covers or something like that. spend the dime on some quality rubber/steel gaskets, and use a bit of RTV, and seal those suckers down. POOF clean engine bay

 

[Captainfab]

X3 on the purple power, and on the gloves too. I cleaned the engine on my Suburban a couple of weeks ago and forgot to wet the firewall Didn't notice it until the other day, I've got some ugly areas on the paint. Glad it's just the firewall.

2 for the purple power i get it at autozone been using that stuff for years. Wear gloves it will eat into youre skin and i pre wet the surface as it will discolor some paint or remove it all together.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Easy off oven cleaner. Spray it on, wait 10 minutes and pressure wash off. If you have to drive to a car wash with a pressure nozzle i like to spray it on first, then drive to the car wash and pressure wash it off. Just be careful of aluminum items, it tends to be corrosive on aluminum if left on longer than a couple minutes.

 

['86erfixer]

Thanks

Just got back from walmart, they didn't have any large containers of degreaser. only the small, like 16 oz, cans. Got back here and saw all those in favor of the 'purple stuff'. Running to autozone now to pick some up. I have chrome valve covers so I'll stay clear of those. Figure I'll just use grocery bags to cover my distributor, carb, and alt ( double baggy of course). My block has gotta be leaking either from the oil filter or somewhere around the oil pan. Can't tell for sure, but it's a brand new crate outta summit with only like 3,000 miles on it. Thanks everyone. Anytime I have a question you guys are the best. I know how every likes pics. Maybe I'll take some before and afters for yall. Nothing too exciting tho, just my stock rig.

 

[blazinzuk]

I use a hot pressure washer/steam cleaner

as would we all if they were available for our use

The simple green works well but don't underestimate the power of good ol elbow grease. Couple years back I used a cleaner with citrus in it. Wow did it work good, hard to find at local stores now for some reason. I think this is the stuff I used http://garageguyz.com/Citrus-Engine...froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

 

[scottishdave]

x1,000,000 on the purple power. I have a big spray bottle of the stuff and just buy the large buckets to refill it. Also carb or brake cleaner work great too.

throw in some good old fashioned elbow grease too and you will be set.

 

[sawzall]

X1,000,001 on the purple power. definately wear gloves and try not to breath it in, i almost knocked myself out once with that stuff!

 

[obijuan]

take it to the do it yourself car wash, theres a tire/engine degreaser setting and blast the hell out of it. cover the air cleaner if youre really worried but otherwise let'r rip. go home and grease the greasables and call it a day.