How do I remove the dirt and grease on my engine. It is covered with lots of sand and grease. I removed it with my finger and it seems to come out. Can I take a air compressor and blast it away. I think it will work.
If it were me I would use degreaser and hose it off, but there is a chance water will cause problems but it will eventually dry out and be fine. Avoid getting water in the alternator. Also avoid getting degreaser on the exterior paintwork (depending on the particular degreaser) I've degreased many an engine, usually without a problem. Degreaser works better on a warm (not hot) engine.
Yep, agree with accentstencil. I'd get a heavy duty/automotive degreaser, you need something with a bit of kick. I recommend covering the alternator/coil pack with plastic bags, just as a precaution. Spray generously on the engine and allow to sit for around 5mins, scrub with an old toothbrush or brush to get in and around plenum/runners if you want and then hose off. Most people recommend then turning the engine on and allowing it to run for at least 5-10mins to help cook off the water.
Just go to the do it yourself carwashes and use the degreaser from the gun then the high pressure rinse. That way you dont mess up your own driveway. Go for a decent drive afterwards to dry it off.
I suggest you DON'T use a high pressure spray, in my experience it's a recipe for disaster. Never had a problem using a garden hose. The only time I have used a pressure sprayer it resulted in a blown coil. High pressure water droplets and electrical connections are not friends. I know some people recommend using a high pressure spray, but better safe than sorry.
High pressure spray doesnt kill coils, its the water getting into a coil thats already cracked that kills it. I pressure clean engines all day every day and have no issues. Just a little common sense and not drowning electrical components is all thats needed.
Yeh a compressor wont help for grease and stuff, As stated, degreaser. The Export degreaser from supercheap auto is what i normaly use and its cheap, Think like $2.20rrp I usualy start the car and run for like 20sec just to warm it up a tad, Then hose the engine to get it all wet,(not elec) Then leave it for like 3 mins then start with the degreaser, Get it all over except alt-coil-fusebox and any elec plugs, I also do under the car, Over PS rack, Sump, Trans. Ect. The first time you may have to do it 3-4 times to get thrugh the oily $hit, also use a brush. Do it every time you do a service and you will always have a nice clean engine. But after that just 1 can every service will do the trick!
Just pressure wash it. Leave it running and don't hit the fan with the end of the blaster thing. Never failed yet after doing it hundreds of times. Reaper
