Topic: Best way to clean up my engine?

[Sine Deviance]

Yeah... it's pretty dirty on the outside. I want to clean it up without having to pull it out What's the best way to go about doing this?

[Jeffy]

Best way is with a steam pressure washer.  The cheap way is with a degreaser and a hose with a high pressure nozzle.

[FourbangerYJ]

I use some stuff made by Greased Lightning. It comes in a orange bottle. It works real well on grease, it also smells nice. I have also used the engine cleaner stuff from the parts store. It works good too, but does not smell that good. Simple Green also works good. Then just hose it all off.

[aw12345]

I do not like a steam cleaner anywhere near engine electronics. A good steam cleaning almost always causes a problem with one sensor or another. The garden hose with a good engine cleaner is a better proposition

[chrisfranklin]

The cheap way is with a degreaser and a hose with a high pressure nozzle.

Autozone's generic gunk product is cheap and seems to work.  I'd keep the ignition system covered and dry somehow, though, when spraying/pressure washing.  And I went through 4 cans of the generic gunk doing the greased areas on the engine and underside last time.

[Jeffy]

I do not like a steam cleaner anywhere near engine electronics. A good steam cleaning almost always causes a problem with one sensor or another. The garden hose with a good engine cleaner is a better proposition

Well, that's why there is a wand.  You don't aim it at the electronics.     For things that might get wet anyway, you can cover them with plastic bags.  I've done my engine several times with a steam cleaner and never once had a problem.  Not to mention all of the other cars I've done.  We used to have one in the HS Auto Shop back in the day.  It was great.

[aw12345]

Well great and I have seen a lot of failed electronics and corroded connectors because of pressure washing not my thing, but to each his own

[drunkencityworker]

i havnt done my yj,but with other cars i have owned i did it with engine running. if it sputters and wants to stall i figured something was getting wet that wasnt supposed to so stop spraying 1/2

[drunkencityworker]

2/2 that area. I am prob wrong but it made sense at the time

[sharpxmen]

i usually take off the distributor cap, put couple of plastic bags over the distrib and tie up some rope or wire over the bags where the distributor neck is - wash the engine and then blow air around the spark plugs. I use engine gunk remover in the areas that are heavily soiled, let it sit for a bit and also use a brush if it's too thick of a deposit (oil+dirt combo). Hot water to rinse is best if you have the option and if you use a pressure washer don't get the nozzle too close, keep a safe distance and a wide angle nozzle (or adjust it to that) - the water will make it under/around the gaskets if you are too close and with too much pressure. I would use a regular hose at first and only use the pressure washer where is needed, make sure it's aimed at solid metal.

[Sidetracked]

I have always used the cheap tire foam shine. Works real well at getting dirt to slide right off and not stick so easy next time. I have never had a problem with it causing any electrical problems, but I jet wouldn't chance it and use it lightly around connectors and dist.

[jeeper78]

i usually take off the distributor cap, put couple of plastic bags over the distrib and tie up some rope or wire over the bags where the distributor neck is - wash the engine and then blow air around the spark plugs. I use engine gunk remover in the areas that are heavily soiled, let it sit for a bit and also use a brush if it's too thick of a deposit (oil+dirt combo). Hot water to rinse is best if you have the option and if you use a pressure washer don't get the nozzle too close, keep a safe distance and a wide angle nozzle (or adjust it to that) - the water will make it under/around the gaskets if you are too close and with too much pressure. I would use a regular hose at first and only use the pressure washer where is needed, make sure it's aimed at solid metal.

I've found that when cleaning your engine it's best to keep a can of brakleen with you. If your distributor or any electronics get soaked, you can usually blast it a few times with brakleen. The stuff forces water out of the crevaces and gasket areas, and then evaporates within seconds.
BTW anyone with an exposed air filter element will not want to clean their engine with the jeep running. Shut it off and bag it up.

[neale_rs]

Better to just leave it dirty...unless you are really bored.