Degreasing Engine
 

Just bought an Olds 350 engine over the weekend. Told it was in good working order. Wanted to clean it up. What's the best way to degrease it without getting it all over the garage? (don't want to power wash it)

Easy off oven cleaner

simple green, gunk heavy duty engine degreaser, and oven cleaner like Rice1965 said

Kinda hard to get the heavy stuff off without powerwashing. You could take it to a carwash and use one of those powerwashers with the degreasers. Better haul the motor on a trailer or put a tarp in the back of the truck though, oven cleaner and most heavy degreasers aren't too paint friendly. Just my .02.

Simple Green works great, might take a few washs but the stuff is harmless and really does a good job. If the engine is caked with grease and dirt you might want to pick, scrape, wire brush as much as possible and then hit it with Simple Green. Oven cleaner is very HARSH it will etch aluminum and harm paint. Castrol Super Clean (purple stuff) works good but it will mark aluminum if left on too long, you will also need gloves with it (will dry out your hard BIG TIME).

Royce

Oven cleaner is not a good choice for the engine compartment. It will take off paint and ruin some plastics too, not to mention it makes aluminum look real nasty!

Get a paint brush and spread kerosene all over it, work it in and hose it off.

Why don't you want to power wash it?

Hope the guy don't smoke!! LOL

If he does, he doesn't need to powerwash it......................

Hey Royce...
I have always used Castrol Super Clean. I have had many problems with my aluminum parts either changing colors if anodized, or becoming very dull if clear coated. PLUS... my hands, you sure are right about the dry hands. They can peel for a couple of days.
Were you saying that the Simple Green will do just as good of job and will not kill my aluminum parts and my hands? That would be great. I was going to ask you guys what I should use on my new motor. I have a lot of clear aluminum parts and I don't want to ruin the coatings. Please let me know. If you think it will help, I will switch over for good and make sure I pass the good word! Thanks, Rick

Yes, I am saying Simple Green will work as well as Castrol Super Clean without the negative effects. It doesn't dry out rubber or harm aluminum. Spray it on let it sit for a while and hose it off. If it is real bad scrubb a little and then hose it off. Sometimes you have to do it 2-3 times if really bad but, it is my prefered way of cleaning greasy/oily engines and engine compartments.

Royce