Cleaning the Engine

I was wondering what any of you have used to clean your engines?

Should I hose it down and use a sponge to get off the gunk?

Is there any part of the engine I should not get wet?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks



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i was looking at mine the other day wondering the same thing.

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Do you smellalallalalala what Xrock is cookin?

Yeah, seems like a lot of crud builds up in there. I wouldn't use anything that tells you to keep away from paint. A clean engine is nothing in comparison to a ruined paint job.

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A generous soaking with Simple Green does a decent job, won't mess up your paint, and is biodegradeable.

Brent

Just spray it off at the self service car wash. Most have an engine degreaser setting. Every other time works for me.

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Thanks for the advice!

Time to get the engine clean.



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00 XE V-6 4x2 3 pack

Be careful. I have responded to a few calls where a car owner was fined for doing this. Had to build a dike to stop the "GUNK" from going down the storm drains. You may feel stupid when a fire engine and the police pull up because your neighbors called you in.

Just some advice,
Chris

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Just thinking....

I believe you should cover the alternator, fusebox and bat terminals. Is that right? Something else I'm forgetting?

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blueghost
'01 Xterra SE 4x4

I never cover anything.

Just don't hit anything directly with the water spray.

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A clean engine is a happy engine. Runs cooler, easier to spot potential problems -- MUCH easier to work on if needed. I use Simple Green. I never cover anything, just go lightly over electrical areas (never had a problem). And I use low pressure "gentle shower" setting. Any crap needing more effort to clean than that, I do with a rag by hand. I also let the engine cool a bit before spraying.

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Sean 'ZCaptain' Kester
Rockwall, TX
'01 Alpine Green XE 4X2 3Pack
'82 280ZX Coupe (modified)

I usually use either Gunk, Simple Green or a special mix for use with a steam nozzle. Let the engine dry thouroughly and then give everything a light misting of WD-40 to keep away moisture and corrosion...

Keeps my race motor in dandy shape:



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2001 Solar Yellow SE 4x4 V6 5spd

If you do decide to use the Gunk, read the instructions very carefully because you are not supposed to use it on either concrete or asphalt, I don't remember which or you will mess up your driveway. I think it's concrete.

-Tom


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Related to covering up electrical connections, Nissan "waterproofs" some of their engines. Obviously by "waterproof" I dont mean you can taken underwater, but I mean its ok to high pressure spray anything under the hood. I used to work at an Infiniti dealership and whenever engine work was done, we hit all the engines (except G20's) with a HOTSY(high pressure hot water). The techs said all the Infiniti engines should have no problems with water in the engine compartment. I dont know if it is the same with the X, but they were fine were fine with it. Someone may want to ask a Nissan Tech next time they are getting a service done. But yeah, simple grean and GUNK both all work well. Hot high pressure water makes all the difference in the world though...easy to get tough grime off. Just be careful not to splatter engine gunk onto the paint.
John

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I use a product called Oil-X, which is similar to Simple Green, except it works and spray it on everything in the engine compartment wait five minutes or so and hose it off. I dont cover up anything and everything looks bright and shiny again when I am done. I also use it to clean the wheels to get the brake dust and dirt off of them.

I am not fond of that GUNK crap, it is very very hard to clean up afterwards since it is so bad for the environment.

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2001 Silver Ice SE, AT/4x4.
"I said, Reading is GOOD, can we start the story now?"

[This message has been edited by number41 (edited February 04, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by number41 (edited February 04, 2001).]

BP - that's the engine you put in the X, right (heh, heh). BTW, does anybody know how to clean the supercharger for the X?

Ross in Indy



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2001 SE 4x4 Solar Yellow
"Oh Miss, I speak jive..."

Should you use a steam cleaner for this, or does water temp. not matter?

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Cris
'00 Aztec Red 4WD SE

Hot water is better, IMO.

One thing about Gunk is that it really takes off the goop and oils. This leads to metal parts possible getting surface rust quicker that aren't painted, which is why I follow up with a quick WD-40 dusting. This also serves to repel water later on. Granted, it does allow for dust to adhere to it more easily, but them's the breaks. It makes the engine look spanky new.

As for that engine, it's a 2110cc motor with Pinto lifters, a Chevy oil filter, two dual barrel carbs, stroked and counterweighted crank, larger jugs/sleeves, roller ratio rockers, chromoly pushrods, 1 3/4" exhaust, which is pretty close to the 44mm valve openings in the ported-and-polished heads.... Trust me, this sucker cranks for an air cooled VeeDub motor. It slams you back in the seat!

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2001 Solar Yellow SE 4x4 V6 5spd

On cleaning engines.. I generaly find the local car wash.. listen to the radio a bit while letting the engine cool down.. Then spray it with simple green an let it soak for 5 mins or so tops.. then spray it off with the high pressure washer.. Works like a champ..

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- Josh
'01 SuperBlack XE 4x4 V6
Utah Xterras -
http://www.prowlerz.net/xterra/