ENGINE CLEANING

[MONSTERMATT]

WE just got nailed with some snow and along came the salt too, can i just pop the hood and spray away or do i have to take precautions?

[MONSTERMATT]

WE just got nailed with some snow and along came the salt too, can i just pop the hood and spray away or do i have to take precautions?

[Fubar]

If you're going to use a pressure washer you might want to plastic bag the distributor or at least wrap a towel around it.

If you're just going to use the garden hose just try to not soak vital electronic parts.

It would be best to have the truck running while you are spraying water but don't start the cleaning job with a hot engine. Hot metal and cold water don't mix very well.

Use a mild degreaser and a soft brush and if your paint is of any concern place towels on the fenders and keep everything wet until you're ready to start drying.

A vac on exhaust works well for blowing off excess water and for getting it out of hard to reach places, some might use an air compressor it's a personal choice.

other than that have a ball.

[Humdingah]

Where might one find the distrubutor??? The LQ9's are COP motors so there's no distributor.

[MovinH2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Fubar:
If you're going to use a pressure washer you might want to plastic bag the distributor or at least wrap a towel around it.

If you're just going to use the garden hose just try to not soak vital electronic parts.

It would be best to have the truck running while you are spraying water but don't start the cleaning job with a hot engine. Hot metal and cold water don't mix very well.

Use a mild degreaser and a soft brush and if your paint is of any concern place towels on the fenders and keep everything wet until you're ready to start drying.

A vac on exhaust works well for blowing off excess water and for getting it out of hard to reach places, some might use an air compressor it's a personal choice.

other than that have a ball. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Great post.

[alldunn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Use a degreaser first if there is much grime, etc. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I use Purple Stuff for the engine and the tires and wheel wells. Works very well.

[HummBebe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PhilD:
I just blast away, and don't leave the pressure washer aiming in one place. I do it with the truck off and cold. Never had a problem. Use a degreaser first if there is much grime, etc. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mee too, but I go to the Wash bays in town, degreaser first. I don't "blast" for very long. I use the soft spray and keep moving.

[Racer-X]

In this same vein - I was talking to my brother because the suspension on his Ram always looks brand new. He uses WD40 and then power washes it. He says it cleans, leaves a thin film to protect against rust and the CV boots love the conditioning.

He also says dirt/grease doesn't stick later. Much easier to clean.

[ROX]

I asked one of the detail gals at the dealership, and she said Mr. Clean sprayed on will take care of most of it. The real secret, I think, is using hot water. But I haven't done it yet. I just use the hose.

[TXSUT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
He uses WD40 and then power washes it. He says it cleans, leaves a thin film to protect against rust and the CV boots love the conditioning.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Two things:

(1) It might seem like the boots are being "conditioned" but actually, they are being degraded by the WD40. Probably not enough to be a problem, though.

(2) Using WD40 as a cleaning agent, and washing it off, is not exactly friendly to our environment.

[Planohummer]

Petroleum-based engine coatings=bad
Water-based engine coatings=OK
Petroleum based weakens hoses, belts, spark plug wires(even the shorties)

[Racer-X]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Using WD40 as a cleaning agent, and washing it off, is not exactly friendly to our environment. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


and driving an H2 is?

Good point. I sould have mentioned we do use the local do it yourself car wash that has a catch bin. Nothing into the sewer system, but mostly to keep it off my driveway. However I don't think it would be any worse than any other cleaner.

p.s. never suggested using WD40 on the engine itself. That I wouldn't do.