Cleaning top of engine tips

[kach22i]

If it's warm enough this weekend I'm going to clean the top of the engine.

I've squirted spray cleaner and high pressure car wash hoses past the fan blades - just hoping some of it would get through and hit the top part of the cylinder fins.

I will research taking out the fan/alternator, from what I've read so far - mark the alignment of the fan to vane straightening strators with something (Sharpie?).

Should I have any special tools on hand, any recommended chemicals, or things to stay away from?

I'm doing this in my driveway, all I have is a hose.

No power washer.

No extension wands.

Just scrub brushes and can spay engine cleaner, and a hose.

My goal is to have the engine clean & cool running on the cheap.

[kach22i]

I think I'll stop at page two (6-pages) to keep this down to a one day project.

Tech link:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/tom_sharpes/911_engine_comp1.htm

[911nut]

I don't think that you'll find much oil/gunk on top. Just check for debris on the cooling fins.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by 911nut
I don't think that you'll find much oil/gunk on top. Just check for debris on the cooling fins.

My rear oil cooler was replaced October 2003, the mechanic said oil got everywhere, even inside of the heat exchangers. It will be interesting to see if oils up there or just mouse condos.

I'm thinking it's at least as oily as the bottom, and the bottom although not aweful, needed cleaning.

A couple of weeks ago the car was on jacks (torsion bars) for an oil change. I cleaned the bottom really well in my driveway.

You can't get the long power-washing car wash wands under there - the hose worked great. Goggles/safety glasses kept the spray out of my eyes. I didn't get all that wet, kept off to the sides a bit.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
That bottom picture - that looks like a lot of work to get to that point.

I'll try to document what I do, right now I'm just looking for a "portal" for a straight shot and look around with a mirror and flashlight.

That lower picture has the front part of the fiberglass shrowd removed - I'm not planning on going that far.

[randywebb]

If you can vac out anything in there first, it will prevent crud, mouse nests, your mother in law's wigs, etc. from being driven deeper into the finned area.