Under Engine Degreasing
 

Hi all,
With spring on the way I'm going to work on cleaning much muck from the bottom of my motor/gearbox. Are there any areas I need to stay away from with either the degreaser or hot water pressure. I have unlimited access to a hot water pressure washer and degreaser. I'm going to put the rear on jackstands and remove both rear wheels to gain better access. Please advise of anything to look out for or steer clear of.

Thanks,
Kris

I have done this on several cars and I can't think of anything in particular that you need ot avoid other than the usual precautions. You will get water in your face, so it's a good idea to wear glasses. Don't leave anything on the paint and have a plan for cleaning up the driveway or area you are washing in before the grease goes somewhere you don't want it to go. Like from where birds or animals would drink.

Pretreatment and scrubbing on a warm motor and trans helps.

If you're using a degreaser, be sure to keep it off the paint. The best way to do that is to constantly hose the paint down with plain water while you're using the degreaser elsewhere on the car. Even if you're doing the bottom of the engine, drops of degreaser can splatter on to the paint.

To get the trans and engine clean mix the cleaner (gunk ) with some of the purple cleaner scrub where you can and watch out for the paint works great also do not let he mixture dry !

Make sure the tranny bolts are tight so that the seams will not let any water into the tranny under the pressure of a pressure washer (if that's what you're using). Ask me how I know.

"unlimited access to a hot water pressure washer"

- you are a lucky boy...

You can use less chemical. A single spray bottle should be plenty with your setup.

Use the lowest pressure that does the job and avoid spraying near a seal at right angles to it.
Don't forget about the open vent atop the tranny.
If you will pull the power unit, I would just leave it in for the first wash. Next, leave the engine/trans. intact. Final cleaning can be done w/o the sprayer, using brake cleaner and toothbrush sized brass brushes. After that you get into the really anal concours stuff...

Keep the crud out of the rivers, ok?

GOJO ORANGE hand cleaner and a parts brush!

Thanks for all you insight. I work part time at a car dealership, everything goes through a sand/oil interceptor so as to keep things in the storm sewer as clean as possible.

Why not post some pics when you do it...

castroll makes excellent product spray it on and wash it off......all there is to it

I will, I'll try to remember to take some before and after pic's. It won't be for a few more weeks.

I've done this a few times. Hot water pressure is nice, but you will be getting super hot greasy junk sprayed directly back in your face. Be prepared to get filthy and need showering immediately after. A better way is to use one of those small steam cleaners you see in some stores and price clubs. Also on TV. The junk on the bottom is an accumulation of dirt, grease, tar, motor oil, and it needs something to melt it away. Solvent will work after some repeated applications. A small shot of pressurized steam would be all you need to neatly clean this stuff off.

CD-2 makes an engine detailing kit that consists of two aersol cans. When you're finished, she looks brand new. I like the stuff, but it cost more than a can O' Gunk.
P.S. You may have to have your autoparts store order it...Some carry, some dont.