GMontag's Journal: The Dreaded Hacker Jeep Engine Cleaning. Now Open Source!

For those not familiar with my Hydrogen Powered Hacker Jeep, please see my web page, http://www.franceisoccupiedgermany.org .

Many here might not know, but I do like to keep the engine of my Jeep very clean. So clean that several of the folks at work kid me about it, especially in comparison to my cube, the passenger compartment of the Jeep, my apartment, other than the kitchen (that needs a similar cleaning as that given my engine today) etc.

So, today I will share my engine cleaning method as one of the few contributions that I can give to the Open Source Engine Community.

Supplies: Spray-on engine de-greaser, grease-relief or similar detergent, Fantastic or similar, silicone spray (plastic safe variety, spray on styrofoam if spray eats styrofoam, the spray is not plastic safe, get another brand), STP Son-of-a-gun, automotive electronics cleaner, diletric grease, rags, low pressure water source.

If your engine is super grimy like I allowed mine to get, follow the directions on one can of engine degreaser and spray the engine down (usually requires cold engine). I like to use the foaming variety for this phase. Rinse thoroughly per instructions, spray everything down with Fantastic/409/similar, rinse well, apply diletric grease to all electrical connections (disconnect, grease, reconnect), spray all electrical connections with silicone, clean alternator with electrical cleaner, start engine and dry everything. Use vehicle normally for a week or two then begin next phase.

Caution: engine cleaner is rough on plastics and rubber, make sure you run plenty of water over everything to get the engine cleaner out of there.

The real trouble spots should come up, grease/oily spots showing through dirt by the next cleaning. I prefer the non-foaming engine degreaser here. Spray the trouble spots with degreaser. The non-greasy spots don't need it. Rise engine thouroughly. Spray down with Fantastic, rinse again. Apply Grease Relief (or similar) household detergant to a wet rag and wipe down everything, taking care not to knock wires/plugs/injectors/etc. loose. Clean everything you can get to. Pieces of foam can be used to get at difficult areas, but I have not gone that far yet. Rinse engine compartment very well with low-pressure water and repeat until it is as clean as you like it.

Spray all rubber, bare metal, electrical connections (including plug wires/distributor), battery, relay box(es) with plastic-safe silicone spray. Allow that to "dry". Look at everything you were supposed to spray. If it does not look "wet" re-spray. Then spray EVERYTHING under the hood with Son-of-a-gun thouroughly. May require one large bottle. Start engine and take a short trip or 2. The Son-of-a-gun and silicone will not burn or smoke, but it will form a protective film that dirt sticks to instead of your engine. After it has been heated enough all of the water will be gone and you can check for missed spots. Re-spray if needed.

Now, next month when you clean your engine you can probably skip the harsh de-greaser, unless you have some lame leaky engine (mine is tight). The dirt should wash off with the Son-of-a-gun.

This time, just use Fantastic, spray all over everything you want to clean, drench the engine compartment (cold), and rinse. Then go over everythig with Grease Relief on a wet rag, rinse. Silicone spray all plastic, rubber, electrical (same steps as above) and follow with Son-of-a-gun. Quarterly or semi-annually (use your own supersticions here) re-grease all electrical connections.

I don't use Armor All any more because of their cautions on hard plastics and cracking.

After cleaning the engine is a good time to clean the rest of the vehicle since some of the stuff you sprayed all over the engine will overspray to the outside. Grease Relief on a wet rag is a good wipe-down before cleaning to remove difficult road film and overspray. Much better than rubbing compounds as it does not rub your paint away. I have no idea why people go straight to rubbing compound, unless they like to repaint their vehicle, then I guess it adds to their hobby :-)

If anybody has any other tips, feel free to add them below.

inspired

[bryanthompson]

I just bought a 1983 Porsche 944, and you've inspired me to go clean my engine. anyway, sounds like a good sunday afternoon distraction... thanks :)

Re:inspired

[GMontag]

Be gentle with that German piece of crap. They are as touchy as a frog souflet. Grease up all the terminals first and watch out for water creeping into the passenger compartment and causing mold or disintegrating the Green Party carpet.

uninspired

[subgeek]

is a flamebait troll still a flamebait troll if you post it in your own journal?

Re:uninspired

[GMontag]

The long answer:
no. :-)