cleaning out engine compartment

[sloopy]

This winter while winterizing a 4stroke waverunner, Sloopy forgot to drain the oil before removing the oil filter. after cleaning up most of the oil I put the watercraft away for three months. Today I took it for the first ride of the season, and when I was finished I decide to check the oil, when I took the seats off to get into the engine compartment, there was old oil mixed with water on every white surface of the wave runner. I was able to clean a lot of it up but I can not reach some areas and I would really like it to be clean through out the entire engine compartment. does any one know of anyway, or product of removing the sticky water/oil mix? Is there some type of product I can buy and then mix with water to fill the compartment with (not to the engine) then let it sit a day or two?

 

[diamonddave]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Not sure where you are but we have a few citrus based cleaners that you can pour into the engine compartment let swill around for a while then pump out, repeat as necessary.

 

[quebec#1]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

SIMPLE GREEN WORKS VERY WELL AND IT DOESNT HARM THE ENVIROMENT...

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

I've used Tide laundry detergent and very hot water mixed well to remove oil. It's cheap and it works!

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Any good degreaser applied with a pump-up garden sprayer (work it like a pressure washer) followed by a good rinse with a hose (repeat if needed) should do the trick.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Heavy duty bilge cleaner is exactly what you need.Charlie

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

The foamy engine cleaner at walmart works very well. Best .78 cents you can spend.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

This stuff called “On Off” works great but it is industrial strength to say the least. Only use on fiberglass (made for cleaning boat bottoms). You must follow the safety directions to the letter. If not it will burn your skin off your hands and a scratch or cut will feel like someone stabbed you hand with a ice pick. Then there is the fumes, enough to kill you. I'm starting to feel a little sick and my hands are tingling just talking about it (I didn't follow all the safety directions). I must say the best fiberglass cleaner I ever used. I just have to get enough courage to use it again (just built a new motor) without having to buy a hazmat suite.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Hi Sloopy ole bud, To make things easy on yourself, I would leave some water in you bilge, add some Dawn dish detergent. Go ahead and ride you machine around for awhile. The sloshing around will help get the oil and dirt in areas you can't see or get too. Then drain it out, put some rinse water in it and repeat.<br /><br />Just a thought that just might work for you. A friend of mine at the local lake does his that way. Why scrub when you can have fun aggetating it on the waves.....

 

[Formula1974]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

I second the simple green. It is an awsome degreaser and it is totally safe.

 

[flashback]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Hey sloopy, hadn't heard from ya in a while, Im with Mayfloat, leave a few gallons of water, add your favorite detergent. and RIDE the heck out of it...............

 

[cuzner]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Been using powder laundry soap for years.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Sloopy, I would use Castrol Super Clean or Spray Nine. Both are very good degreasers and I understand them to be biodegradeable. Spray them on the dirty area full strangth and use a brush other scrubby-type pad to rub a bit. It will not require too much rubbing, just want to mix the oil with the degreaser. Then hose it off and you'r done. Works real good.

 

[Bayrider]

Re: cleaning out engine compartment

Hi Sloopy.I have used WD40.It will help to brake down the oil,then use dish detergent in very warm water and leave over night.Hose down with clean water.