cleaning engine

[sean169211]

Hi guys sorry if this is the wrong forum for this question but i tried the search function and didnt come up with what i was looking for. I have a 1988 volvo penta 350 and the engine runs great but its an eye sore to look at as it is pretty dirty. I was wondering what you guys use to clean your engines as well as if you use steam, water, or air to rinse it off. Also if you put plastic over the distributor, alternator...etc any help would be appreciated thanks in advance!

 

[JustJason]

Re: cleaning engine

what is it dirty with???? is it just rust? in which case i'd just suck up what i could with a shop vac then blow the rest off with compressed air. Do what you can as far as wire brushing then just paint over the rest of the rust with some rustoleum rust primer... then follow up with some high heat engine paint.
after it's all painted up apply some mercury corrosion guard at least once a season..... more if it's moored in salt.

if it's dirty with oil....... well...... who cares what it looks like just find the leak!!!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: cleaning engine

Sean, Castrol SuperClean (an it's knock offs) cuts oil and grease pretty well, without harming any of the parts of the motor. You can spray it on (leave the flame arrestor on to keep it out of the carb), brush it a bit and hose it off. if that doesn't get it, you will need to use stronger stuff. Read the instructions because some of that stuff eats plastic and wiring.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: cleaning engine

Sean, Castrol SuperClean (an it's knock offs) cuts oil and grease pretty well, without harming any of the parts of the motor.

I agree. I've used it on automotive engines. I found that it will leave a white residue on aluminum parts so afterwards, wash and rinse any exposed alunimum components.

 

[sean169211]

Re: cleaning engine

thats perfect thanks guys i mean its a little dirty not too rusty i bought the superclean degreaser so i will try it out thanks for the fast replys guys!