Topic: pics of oil leak. Best way to clean engine. Steam?

[stan98tj]

Ive begun to notice that i have an engine oil leak. There is a significant amount of oil caked on to the front/bottom of the motor. The jeep drips a slight amount, but most of it is deposited on the motor itself. I'd like to get to cleaning it so i can see if i can spot the leak. Ive been told i can bring it to a truck stop and steam clean it. Im worried the steam would penetrate and harm electronics. I noticed my alternator has an oily/greasy substance (seems thicker than motor oil) on it..so id like to clean it without harming the alternator.
here are some pics so you can see what i'm faced with:

[sharpxmen]

that's the front crank pulley seal - it will leak more while running than when just sitting. Should be quite easy to replace if you have a puller.

[Torch_Ind]

that's the front crank pulley seal - it will leak more while running than when just sitting. Should be quite easy to replace if you have a puller.

+1

and ya thats a decent leak wow lol

[stan98tj]

that's the front crank pulley seal - it will leak more while running than when just sitting. Should be quite easy to replace if you have a puller.

Is that behind the main pulley? And what about cleaning all that deposit? the alternator etc. Steam? will steam damage anything?

[FourbangerYJ]

Engine bright from the parts store. Or something that is made to clean off the motor. Or Simple Green. I have used both. I just use a hose to rinse it off.

[sharpxmen]

Is that behind the main pulley? And what about cleaning all that deposit? the alternator etc. Steam? will steam damage anything?

yes, it's behind the main pulley at the end of the crankshaft. the seal goes into the timing chain cover. like he ^ said use a gunk removal spray or solution, soak it for a while then spray again and use a brush (paint brush) to soften all the cr#p there - you might have to do it a couple of times. take the dist cap and wires off as well as the intake pipe coming from the air box (take the airbox out too as a matter of fact). Tape ziploc bags over the distributor and throttle body and if you're concerned about the PCM might want to take that off too and take plastic/ziploc bags over the connectors. You should be fine power washing it at this point but watch the spray so you don't force water in the connectors, engine etc (plug the breather tube on the valve cover as well).

I'm not sure how well your alternator will survive, once you fix it you might want to just buy a second hand replacement just in case (stock ones go fairly cheap or you can upgrade and hit 2 birds with 1 stone).

[Torch_Ind]

yes, it's behind the main pulley at the end of the crankshaft. the seal goes into the timing chain cover. like he ^ said use a gunk removal spray or solution, soak it for a while then spray again and use a brush (paint brush) to soften all the cr#p there - you might have to do it a couple of times. take the dist cap and wires off as well as the intake pipe coming from the air box (take the airbox out too as a matter of fact). Tape ziploc bags over the distributor and throttle body and if you're concerned about the PCM might want to take that off too and take plastic/ziploc bags over the connectors. You should be fine power washing it at this point but watch the spray so you don't force water in the connectors, engine etc (plug the breather tube on the valve cover as well).

I'm not sure how well your alternator will survive, once you fix it you might want to just buy a second hand replacement just in case (stock ones go fairly cheap or you can upgrade and hit 2 birds with 1 stone).

alt should be ok. get the pulley off change the seal clean everything up.  just try to blow out the alternator after that will help keep it from dyeing.  I engine shampoo them all the time.

[Jeffy]

I like using steam cleaners as they do a really good job especially if you use soap with them.  Just don't spray it into the PCM or TB.  No scrubbing required.  Oh and they will take paint off your thermostat housing if you're not careful.

[stan98tj]

I like using steam cleaners as they do a really good job especially if you use soap with them.  Just don't spray it into the PCM or TB.  No scrubbing required.  Oh and they will take paint off your thermostat housing if you're not careful.

if i spray up towards the valve cover, can the steam harm the injectors?

[Jeffy]

if i spray up towards the valve cover, can the steam harm the injectors?

No but you shouldn't be holding it in place.  Use a fan nozzle and sweep.  You don't really want to be spraying it directly into the plugs for the injectors either.  If you're worried you can use plastic bags to keep water out of certain things.  That's what we'd do.  When I steam cleaned I never bothered though.

[stan98tj]

  Use a fan nozzle and sweep. 

the only way i can think of steaming it is at a truck stop, so im not sure if they will have a fan nozzle. I figure ill try it on the lightest setting.

[FourbangerYJ]

the only way i can think of steaming it is at a truck stop, so im not sure if they will have a fan nozzle. I figure ill try it on the lightest setting.

If you have a hose you can put on a sprayer to get what pattern you want. Those parts store cans of cleaners do a pretty good job. Granted on the thick stuff it might take a 2nd dose.
Most of the spray booth type car/truck wash don't have hot water,or a adjustable spray pattern.

[Jeffy]

the only way i can think of steaming it is at a truck stop, so im not sure if they will have a fan nozzle. I figure ill try it on the lightest setting.

Those are pressure washers usually not steam.  They also use a fan nozzle.  It's the most common.  Steam washers are better then you're normal pressure washer as the steam really helps break up the gunk.

[stan98tj]

Those are pressure washers usually not steam.  They also use a fan nozzle.  It's the most common.  Steam washers are better then you're normal pressure washer as the steam really helps break up the gunk.

i think the place on the highway by me is steam..according to ppl around here. it's worth a look. I wanted to use engine cleaner at my local self service car wash, but they had a sign posted forbidding use of outside cleaners. I may just go ahead and use it anyway.
Now: as for the repair...how hard/easy is this? Just pull off the pulley and the seal is right there? Once the fan shroud is off and the belt is out of the way, is this an easy fix? Anything i may need to be aware of?

[Torch_Ind]

i think the place on the highway by me is steam..according to ppl around here. it's worth a look. I wanted to use engine cleaner at my local self service car wash, but they had a sign posted forbidding use of outside cleaners. I may just go ahead and use it anyway.
Now: as for the repair...how hard/easy is this? Just pull off the pulley and the seal is right there? Once the fan shroud is off and the belt is out of the way, is this an easy fix? Anything i may need to be aware of?

they forbid outside cleaners cause they want to make the profit form there own items for sale I bring my own stuff all the time.