1973olds98

I am getting ready to take my heads off 4 a valve job..I am not worried about cleaning the heads because the machine will take care of that during the valve job...But i Really want to clean up the rest of the engine to match my newly redone heads...So whats the best degreaser out there that will just disolve the sludge,,dirt,,,thanks

csstrux

Personally I am not aware of an effort free cleaner. I usually use a putty knife to get the heavy build up and grunge off and then use some gas with a cruddy paint brush. If you want fancier than that use carb and choke cleaner in a spray can, or brake cleaner. Others will likely have other methods, but this works for me. BTW be sure to lay out some drop cloths and cardboard cause this is MESSY.

67 Cutlass

X2

No matter what's used it's gonna make a mess. I've used kerosene,oven cleaner, simple green in the past all with pretty good results. A pressure washer with hot water has also worked out good too after soaking with oven cleaner.

jensenracing77

clean it before you take the heads off. scrape the heavy stuff off and high pressure wash it then i also use gas to finish. and remember to be careful with gas. i use oven cleaner when the engine is out of the car but this stuff will take the paint and every thing off. if you have an accident then you may have paint removed where you don't want it to be.

Olds64

I suggest either Wal Mart brand engine degreaser (cheaper than auto parts store) or oven cleaner.

Kennybill

Kerosense works for me.

Nilsson

Just remember whatever cleaner or method you use clean then clean again and then when you think it is clean, clean it one more time.

Kennybill

hmmmm, with the heads off, I don't think so. If the heads r off, cover/fit all bores with clean rags, try to seal with plastic to kept dirt out a bit. I would use kerosene & good parts brushes. Clean/rinse/clean/rinse, after done, uncover & wipe bores/ use shop vac in bores. When u put the engine back together change oil/filter then after a few hundred miles chang it again. PS, I like kerosense because it cleans, it rinses, it's oil base and it's cheap, like me. Later, Ken

1973olds98

I will clean it with the heads on..I am going to use kerosen because I have a couple gallons of it already....I bought a nieghbors small plasitc pool to put under the car to catch the gunk,,,ect. Worth the whole 5.00 I gave for it....So whats the best way to apply it..Just brush it or spray it on....thanks

Olds64

Since you are using kerosene just make sure you clean it in your drive way and make sure your buddies don't come up and chat while smoking.

Dan Wirth

How about removing first the large grunge, then use a degreaser, like Super Degreaser or Greased Lightning; I would stay away from the flammables, like kerosene.

Lady72nRob71

I was thinking about this thread when I decided to start cleaning my nasty Ford engine...
Engine temp gauge still said 140* a few hours after I came home, so it was a perfect temp for cleaning.

I bought two cans of Gunk for this project.
Before gunking, I hosed down the cement under the car and kept it wet with water throughout the process.
I started at the left rear of the engine / tranny and circled around to the right rear, spraying Gunk only, in a stream to help blast away the grime.
I used a toothbrush only on the valve cover and one thick area right at the thermostat housing. Did not even get my hand dirty...

I let it soak a few minutes, then repeated the same application from LR to RR.
I repeated soak and spray again steps again until the first can was empty.

I got out the water hose and used the jet stream position on the nozzle to wash the crap off. I kept spraying under the car also to wash the nasty stuff away. (Ironically, I did this on "Earth Day"... )

I will do this again this week after i get home when the engine is warm. I will use the other can of gunk and some other cleaners for other parts of the engine.

Even though the "environmental friendly" degreasers will work, nothing seems to beat Gunk. I always believe that when cleaning something off, it is best to dissolve it with it's base ingredient. In this case, it is petroleum! Applying to a warm (not hot) engine really helps, too!

Below are some before and after pics.

Jamesbo

Rob,

I glad you celebrated Earth Day that way. Nicely done. [as usual]

rtpassini

i use less intense cleaners. preferably simple green.

squirell

I have always had good luck with foamy gunk and a toilet bowl brush AFTER scrapping off the thick stuff.

easytobedead

hard work

MJAKS462

Fire is a great degreaser , LOL ,JK dont try it at home.

OLD SKL 69

I've used Simple Green or Castrol Super Clean with excellent results. I have an asphalt driveway, so I will not use Gunk. Even when I keep it wet, it will still stain it. I do like Gunk though, if I could clean it someplace else other than my house.

kurtdaniel

right,,i think this would work..i also tried kerosene as degreaser for my Front Shock Absorber and it works great..

1973olds98

hands down the best is oven cleaner,,,Spray it down with oven cleaner....The spray it off with a pressure washer the next day...

Aceshigh

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...degreaser.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...degreaser.html

Blk71SX

Easy Off Oven Cleaner. be careful of painted surfaces

navvet

I know I am real late on this but...I used driveway degreaser. I don't know what is different from engine degreaser but I have found all driveway cleaners are the same.
It worked great and it cleans concrete grease stains as well.
Save old tooth brushes..they are great for tight spots.

spaceman_spiff

best stuff out there is purple power.....you can find it anywhere...

RROLDSX

Oil Eater works great and it seems to make the oil disappear. Simple Green is very effective. Gunk works great too. Keep the heads and valve covers on. You can also use Dawn dish soap, it is a great degreaser. I buy dish scrub brushes with longer handles and different head configurations to get into tight spaces from the Dollar store. Get two of each, one for heavy grease scrubbing and one for final scrub because the heavy grease plugs up the brush and makes it unusable after a heavy grease spot. Good luck.

joe_padavano

Of course, this thread is from 2009, so I hope the OP got his engine degreased...