My favorite engine cleaner (STP) is no longer available. What is a good light cleaner that does not make the car stink? I do not have heavy gunk just a lot of dust. I don't like Enginebrite foamy or regular. I tried foamy spray window cleaner, but it didn't clean good enough.
What is a good engine cleaner?
- Thread starter Loobed
- Start date
- Status
Carwash soap & water works for me. If it's greasy, Joy or Dawn dishwashing liquid in a bit water works wonders when used with a stiff brush - a dollar store toilet brush is about perfect.
I'm with scurvy. Warm water with dish soap cuts through just about everything. I use old toothbrushes or toilet cleaning brushes.
I have used wheel cleaner with Great results and then use tire shine on it. Seems to do a really nice job.
Castrol Super Clean and Purple Power
Purple Stuff and water works like a charm.
Originally Posted By: qdeezie
Purple Stuff and water works like a charm.
+2 The Purple Power baby! I haven't had a totally "filthy" engine but I use it with great results.
Purple Stuff and water works like a charm.
+2 The Purple Power baby! I haven't had a totally "filthy" engine but I use it with great results.
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Castrol Super Clean and Purple Power
I've used the same - and used them in my pressure washer.
I still wish I had a steam cleaner though...
Castrol Super Clean and Purple Power
I've used the same - and used them in my pressure washer.
I still wish I had a steam cleaner though...
I used Windex and paper toweels to clean the engine on the cav when I had it. Worked pretty well, too.
Originally Posted By: Errtt
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Castrol Super Clean and Purple Power
I've used the same - and used them in my pressure washer.
I still wish I had a steam cleaner though...
Well I bought a small steam cleaner yesterday evening. McCulloch MC-1275. More for the tune of spraying the motorcycles with a cleaner, then hit it with steam. Mainly for the wheels, the part I hate the most. If it works, fine - if it doesn't do well, then maybe the wife can give a go for some house cleaning. I'm just not into using the pressure washer on the bikes, especially around the electrical, and it's not worth setting up then moving vehicles off the driveway just to do the wheels.
I mentioned it yesterday, then went for it. Just something small for some general use. Maybe the lawn mower engine will get it today.
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Castrol Super Clean and Purple Power
I've used the same - and used them in my pressure washer.
I still wish I had a steam cleaner though...
Well I bought a small steam cleaner yesterday evening. McCulloch MC-1275. More for the tune of spraying the motorcycles with a cleaner, then hit it with steam. Mainly for the wheels, the part I hate the most. If it works, fine - if it doesn't do well, then maybe the wife can give a go for some house cleaning. I'm just not into using the pressure washer on the bikes, especially around the electrical, and it's not worth setting up then moving vehicles off the driveway just to do the wheels.
I mentioned it yesterday, then went for it. Just something small for some general use. Maybe the lawn mower engine will get it today.
That engine shine does work pretty well, but it's powerful too. Maybe a bit too much.
I usually stick with a light oil and tire shine (out of a spray bottle) after a degreasing agent. The downside of using a light oil (ex: WD-40) is it collects dirt/dust, but it helps protect from rust.
I usually stick with a light oil and tire shine (out of a spray bottle) after a degreasing agent. The downside of using a light oil (ex: WD-40) is it collects dirt/dust, but it helps protect from rust.
I remember a neighbor had cleaned his engine with foam spray oven cleaner one. It wiped out the labels & print on hoses, plug wires etc.
Simple Green...
Originally Posted By: dparm
I'm with scurvy. Warm water with dish soap cuts through just about everything. I use old toothbrushes or toilet cleaning brushes.
I would be very wary of using kitchen cleaning stuff; much of it contains sodium chloride (salt) and chloride is notorious for initiating corrosion. Additionally, once it is on a surface, removing chloride completely can be hard.
In the UK, The Autoglym products are highly rated and I used their stuff to clean up the entire engine and compartment, then finished it with a light spray of their bumper protection stuff. It has continued to look good after several months.
I'm with scurvy. Warm water with dish soap cuts through just about everything. I use old toothbrushes or toilet cleaning brushes.
I would be very wary of using kitchen cleaning stuff; much of it contains sodium chloride (salt) and chloride is notorious for initiating corrosion. Additionally, once it is on a surface, removing chloride completely can be hard.
In the UK, The Autoglym products are highly rated and I used their stuff to clean up the entire engine and compartment, then finished it with a light spray of their bumper protection stuff. It has continued to look good after several months.
Originally Posted By: bcossa2001
Simple Green...
+1 Thats all i use. Spray it on, let it sit a minute then hose it off. Engine bay still looks new.
Simple Green...
+1 Thats all i use. Spray it on, let it sit a minute then hose it off. Engine bay still looks new.
I use Super Clean and The Purple stuff too. Gotta use a brush as some of that stuff is caked on pretty good. I will borrow the dollar store toilet brush from a few of you guys that used it. Great idea!
Simple Green is good too but Im afraid of getting that stuff on aluminum parts because its been known to oxidize it.
Simple Green is good too but Im afraid of getting that stuff on aluminum parts because its been known to oxidize it.
- Status
