How to clean the engine..??

[cowboy]

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How do you guys clean up an old engine on the outside from a lot of oil, grease and sticky stuf..

I'm not gonna tear it apart, it runs well, but want to clean it up and paint it ..

[burdar]

Clean the heavy stuff off with a putty knife and a wire brush.  Plug all of the openings and finish it off with engine degreaser and a power washer.  A wire wheel on a drill is a good idea if you have some old paint you want to remove.   

[MEK-Dangerfield]

On this side of the pond we have something called "Gunk" that does a good job. It's a foamy spray that you hose off later. As burdar suggested, you will want to plug your carb with a rag so nothing gets down it.

[quapman]

I use oven cleaner. Spray it on, let it soak for a while, scrub the extra grungy spots with a scotch-brite pad, spray off with a hose.

Wear some good rubber gloves. This stuff is nasty on human flesh!

[boydsdodge]

I use oven cleaner and power washer, I also found this great product at the home depot that is for stripping decks/washing.
It comes in a 4 litre jug that is purple, I dont have the name right now its out in the shop but i just brush it on with gloves and glasses and let it sit for a while like 30 mins, then hit it with power washer.
Comes out great. It also says that is biodegradable, i dont think after the engine dirt it is but the chemical is.

[Tonefiend]

Purple power?

I have heard good things about it, a friend cleaned a carb and it turnedout pretty nice. 

I have used Gunk foamy engine bright with good results.  Spray it on. let it sit a few then spray it off with water. 

[Moparal]

When I use gunk, I warm the engine up first. It really helps

[moparmaniac59]

Simple Green works well also. Then the power washer. It worked well on my engine compartment. I've also used oven cleaner. Just don't tell Al Gore!!



                                                Matt B.

[cowboy]

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Bougth some heavy duty stuf oven cleaner, - and a high pressure water thing (120 bar) - paid 200 bucks for it, and even got a free patio cleaner in the deal.. 

Easy job, - you guys are great to be around...