What do you use to degrease your engine?

[scottmandue]

So I got around to changing my oil (another thread)
And as many of us said on the oil change thread "it gives me a chance to get under the car and check things out.
Long story short the A/C compressor is caked with black goo (oil) however the A/C works fine and the engine oil level stays steady.
Note: In the last year I have changed a few gaskets and the front engine seals so this might be from a previous oil leak.
Therefore I would like to clean off the old oil (and see if there is a leak)... brake cleaner has been suggested as a degreaser... AFAIK an A/C compressor is sealed and has no vents like a alternator, true/false?
I have some Castrol degreaser that works pretty good, should I be concerned with spraying degreaser on a A/C compressor?

TIA

[Nostril Cheese]

Shouldnt hurt it unless you're spraying it directly into the clutch/bearings. Brake cleaner should be fine.

[A930Rocket]

I use a cheap engine cleaner from the local FLAPS or Walmart. With a warm engine, I soak everything top and bottom. Then I hook up my hose to the hot water heater and spray it all down. Then I'll use brake cleaner to clean any really dirty spots

[scottmandue]

Great stuff guys, Thanks!

[SoCal911T]

This stuff is, well, awesome. I had 30 years of road grime and brake dust on some BBS wheels that I was refinishing and this worked the best out of everything I tried.

[JJ 911SC]

Post 1 or 2 product, really Bar None... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/cleaning-detailing-polishing/550748-best-cleaner-bar-none.html

Product 1: Seventh Generation Shower Cleaner

Before



After



Product 2: Facto AT-30

[Rednine11]

I have heard of people using oven cleaner so I tried some on some old greasy parts.
Do NOT use it because it removes paint too...........
Luckily the parts were not for my 911

[Baz]

My second job out of college was a large foliage nursery in Apopka and they had a maintenance department. The head guy (Dave) would clean my Volvo 145 engine for me periodically - he used kerosene siphoned through an air compressor. Did a wonderful job.

[Schrup]

I've been using Shout on my dirtbike. It's PH balanced, works great, & is cheap.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Diesel and kerosene are excellent degreasers.

I usually just go with Simple Green and a hose. I've used some of the foaming degreasers and they seem to work well.

[scottmandue]

I have simple green and I think Shout (is that the laundry spot remover?) I used diesel back in the day when I worked in a shop... this would be to clean the diminutive underside of the Miata in my garage... probably not worth the bother of buying diesel or kerosene and would prefer something nonflammable because of the close quarters.
More concerned with corrosive stuff getting into the A/C compressor.

[vash]

simple green and various stiff brushes.

it's good enough. last time i used engine degreaser (at a car wash)..the stall smelled like a superfund site for months. that cant be good.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Baz

My second job out of college was a large foliage nursery in Apopka and they had a maintenance department. The head guy (Dave) would clean my Volvo 145 engine for me periodically - he used kerosene siphoned through an air compressor. Did a wonderful job.

I have been know to spray WD40 or PB Blaster on engines and agitate it with a brush. Then I hit it with the long reach blower, and blow off the residue.

It works really well, and if you are planning on using a degreaser, it is a great pre clean.

[s_morrison57]

oven cleaner works like a hot dam but can take paint too

[NY65912]

The Awesome cleaner is dirt cheap and really does a fantastic job on grease. You can buy it at dollar stores or on Amazon. I just bought a gallon refill on Amazon. One of the ladies in my wife's office introduced her to the stuff. Just don't use it on glass. If you can't find it then go with Purple Power by Castrol. BTW, steam is the kickass method. We used to steam our fuel oil delivery trucks and nothing works as well. An air / hot water gun does pretty darn good as well.

[vonsmog]

I use Purple Power by the gallon! get it at Advanced Auto in 5 gal. pails. Cleans 30 years of dirt and grease off the Unimogs that I work on or part out. Just put it in a bug sprayer and soak then rinse with water, plus it is biodegradable!

[yazhound]

Used WD40 on weapons while in Army for a fast clean. But... it has a low flash point.

[J P Stein]

I usually use what little hair I have atop my haid.....the beard works OK, too.

[Amail]

These work great!

[2porscheguy]

Great thread! I'm thinking of degreasing my GMC Sierra's entire engine compartment. What needs to be covered up....alternator? Anything else? Can I just go to town with applying a degreaser and then hosing or power washing the entire compartment after it's been sitting for awhile? How do you guys do it (safely)?

Thanks in advance!