Engine Cleaning

[Rubiman]

Hello,

Are there any issues cleaning the engine with a proper degreaser and low-impact pressure washer? Of course, covering the obvious.

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[freebird_78]

Never had a problem doing just that.

Do yourself a favor, order some of this stuff:

You can order it directly from Superior, or through O'Reilly's.

Wash your engine bay down, then hose it down with that stuff diluted to about 4:1. I've found NOTHING even close to this stuff. I believe this is one of the tricks used car dealerships use to make an engine bay, undercarriage, etc look clean and new. It's cheap, easy, and lasts a surprisingly long time. I hose down my engine bay, undercarriage, ATV, etc. Just about impossible to screw up, as it's water based. Doesn't work that well on tires (which is what I think it's actually designed for).

(In no way affiliated with them or anyone around them, just REALLY like it).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've sprayed my engines and engine bays with Simple Green and used either my pressure washer with a medium nozzle, or done it carefully at a car wash, trying to not force water into where it doesn't belong.
Never had a problem. Just know that high pressure nozzles can get water past even "sealed" electrical connectors. Keep it moving, don't concentrate on electrical connectors - try to avoid them if possible. Avoid the PDC/Fuse panel area.
Most other stuff will be fine.
Rinse well - most cleaners - even safe ones, leave some "stuff" behind that isn't always kind to aluminum or paint long-term.
Wash once, rinse twice.

 

[freebird_78]

I really try and avoid Simple Green as much as possible. I mean it's a degreaser, and it's a good/safe one. But by definition, it's drying out plastics. That's what it's designed to do. I TRY and keep my engine bay, undercarriage, etc clean enough to not have to use Simple Green. Don't always succeed, though and are forced to clean up some greasy mess. I'll always apply some sort of topper/protectant in hopes of replenishing what I stripped off.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I really try and avoid Simple Green as much as possible. I mean it's a degreaser, and it's a good/safe one. But by definition, it's drying out plastics. That's what it's designed to do. I TRY and keep my engine bay, undercarriage, etc clean enough to not have to use Simple Green. Don't always succeed, though and are forced to clean up some greasy mess. I'll always apply some sort of topper/protectant in hopes of replenishing what I stripped off.

Used it for many years on all of my stuff, no problems here.
How "by definition" can it dry out plastics? If you say that, you are saying ANY degreaser dries out plastics, and that's not the case. Saying that is saying anything that can degrease will dry out plastic and it's simply not the case.
Besides, you don't spray it on fully strength and leave it on. You scrub and/or rinse/pressure wash.

There's a whole lot of experience out there using it by a lot of varied people. There's only one warning and that's about leaving it in contact with certain "resins". I've soaked plastic connectors in it before - yeah, soaked them. Take the connectors for automotive voltage regulators, lighting, alternator connectors and so on, I soak, scrub with a tooth brush, and then rinse thoroughly. So in fact, the stuff never sits on anything long enough to cause harm.
If you are thinking about it drying out plastics - you must be thinking of spraying it on and leaving it on indefinitely - wet.
I use a lot of SG in my shop and have for years - I restore things - electrical components and so on, and make the connectors and other parts, many of them plastic, look like new. Never once had an issue.

If you are concerned, you can actually "restore" dried rubber and some plastics with a mix of wintergreen oil and rubbing alcohol........ I do that as well. Makes certain parts like air lines, small formed hoses and such supple and like new again.

Check out this quote from a RC (Radio Control) forum talking about cleaning things - including a lot of plastics:
-------------
My experience with Simple Green has been all positive. I have used it on all kinds of plastics. The one thing you have to be careful about (as Aaron said) is that it can turn some plastics to mush.

I use undiluted 'industrial' Simple Green (see here) on offroad tires. It cleans them very well and has an added bonus of renewing that 'fresh from the package' stickiness.

I do use the industrial stuff on plastics, but rarely at full strength. I do not dilute it at a specific ratio, but a little will go a long way. If it is used full strength on plastic, make sure you rinse thoroughly with clean water. If you are concerned about rust, you can blast out some of the water with an air compressor or 'canned air' and then spray a small amount of WD-40 on the hinge pins and other rust-prone areas.

There is a ton of info at the Simple Green website. They do caution about using the product on 'resins' (a.k.a. plastic) ... but in my experience you should be safe as long as the plastic is rinsed well.

I like the fact that Simple Green is 'biodegradable' and non-flammable. You can check out the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) here.
-----------------

Discussion on a Dodge forum ->

Will Simple Green hurt Rubber / Plastic?

DodgeTalk Forum
https://www.dodgetalk.com › threads › will-simple-gre...
He said this because heavy degreasers will remove the oils from plastics and rubbers causing them to discolor and crack, but simple is not a "heavy" degreaser ...
https://www.dodgetalk.com/threads/will-simple-green-hurt-rubber-plastic.174355/

If you read the 1 gallon jug, it even says it can be used to clean "plastic".

 

[freebird_78]

Used it for many years on all of my stuff, no problems here.
How "by definition" can it dry out plastics? If you say that, you are saying ANY degreaser dries out plastics, and that's not the case. Saying that is saying anything that can degrease will dry out plastic and it's simply not the case.
Besides, you don't spray it on fully strength and leave it on. You scrub and/or rinse/pressure wash.

There's a whole lot of experience out there using it by a lot of varied people. There's only one warning and that's about leaving it in contact with certain "resins". I've soaked plastic connectors in it before - yeah, soaked them. Take the connectors for automotive voltage regulators, lighting, alternator connectors and so on, I soak, scrub with a tooth brush, and then rinse thoroughly. So in fact, the stuff never sits on anything long enough to cause harm.
If you are thinking about it drying out plastics - you must be thinking of spraying it on and leaving it on indefinitely - wet.
I use a lot of SG in my shop and have for years - I restore things - electrical components and so on, and make the connectors and other parts, many of them plastic, look like new. Never once had an issue.

If you are concerned, you can actually "restore" dried rubber and some plastics with a mix of wintergreen oil and rubbing alcohol........ I do that as well. Makes certain parts like air lines, small formed hoses and such supple and like new again.

Check out this quote from a RC (Radio Control) forum talking about cleaning things - including a lot of plastics:
-------------
My experience with Simple Green has been all positive. I have used it on all kinds of plastics. The one thing you have to be careful about (as Aaron said) is that it can turn some plastics to mush.

I use undiluted 'industrial' Simple Green (see here) on offroad tires. It cleans them very well and has an added bonus of renewing that 'fresh from the package' stickiness.

I do use the industrial stuff on plastics, but rarely at full strength. I do not dilute it at a specific ratio, but a little will go a long way. If it is used full strength on plastic, make sure you rinse thoroughly with clean water. If you are concerned about rust, you can blast out some of the water with an air compressor or 'canned air' and then spray a small amount of WD-40 on the hinge pins and other rust-prone areas.

There is a ton of info at the Simple Green website. They do caution about using the product on 'resins' (a.k.a. plastic) ... but in my experience you should be safe as long as the plastic is rinsed well.

I like the fact that Simple Green is 'biodegradable' and non-flammable. You can check out the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) here.
-----------------

Discussion on a Dodge forum ->

Will Simple Green hurt Rubber / Plastic?

DodgeTalk Forum
https://www.dodgetalk.com › threads › will-simple-gre...
He said this because heavy degreasers will remove the oils from plastics and rubbers causing them to discolor and crack, but simple is not a "heavy" degreaser ...
https://www.dodgetalk.com/threads/will-simple-green-hurt-rubber-plastic.174355/

If you read the 1 gallon jug, it even says it can be used to clean "plastic".

I'm saying that chemicals designed to break up oils are going to be harsh on things made of oil. By definition. You can argue whether you think the amount of degradation is negligible or not, in your opinion, and that could very well be negligible. But again, chemicals designed to break up oils are going to do just that. Why else would you use them?

In my anecdotal experience, my dad would hose his engine bay down every time with degreaser (often SG) every car wash. It left his plastics dull and chalky over time. He wasn't particular about that sort of thing, so I'm sure he would say nothing bad ever happened.

 

[Lunentucker]

Not every time, but when needed, I open the hood and throw what's left in the bucket on the engine, wipe or scrub anything that's obvious, and rinse.
Then I take it for a ten minute drive.
Then open the hood again and blow it out with the leaf blower.
Been doing it for 45 years and never had an issue.

And if you're having to degrease something there's a problem that needs addressing somewhere.

 

[Koolcarguy]

Hello,

Are there any issues cleaning the engine with a proper degreaser and low-impact pressure washer? Of course, covering the obvious.

I have mine cleaned every couple weeks by my lot guys at my dealership no issues I don't use any dressing for obvious reason when you go off road it just gets super dusty plus I live 4 miles on a dirt road to my ranch but 0 issues

 

[MemphisMississipp]

I carry this 3d waterless car wash in back of the glad with spray bottles. Works great when camping and need a quick way to freshen up any bad spots. USA made , no weather, no mess. Great for the interior also smells awesome

 

[Deleted member 57233]

I just get my car detailed once a year. They do the engine bay, and not enough builds up in a year before they do it again, so it still looks brand new.

 

[firemedic2714]

I use Dawn dishwashing soap and an old washcloth for the majority of the engine. I have an old toothbrush for the hard to reach but easily seen areas. No pressure washers, just the "shower" or "garden" setting in my adjustable home hose nozzle to wet and rinse everything. Don't forget to wash the underside of the hood, too.

 

[Jay Gatsby]

Just tried P21S today and had great results. I’ve used Simple Green and engine degreasers in the past, but this stuff worked MUCH better. The gallon size container is better priced and comparable to the Aqua-Gloss mentioned above. But this sprayer is good to give it a try. Spray on, use a paint brush to spread in tight spots if necessary, and wash off.

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