kaliann

can anyone please tell me the best way to keep my engine looking clean? I have heard some crazy ideas, but I am turning to you all as I think that is the best place to get good advice.
Thanks
Kaliann

5219 S/G

Ensuring you have no leaky fluids and the engine is well sealed up, you should not have any trouble keeping the grime off of it. You can use a degreaser on it and hose it off with a garden hose. I would use something like simple green, spray on hose off. If you use some of the degreasers out there and you have pretty valve covers etc, some will take the polish out them and etch them. My situation is different, I use clean solvent on a rag and wipe of any mess that I see. There again I have plenty of room, where are full framed car in that case would be a little more difficult.

A12U

Once i used Oven Cleaner, someone told me it works good, well it did, like member 5219 wrote, some will take off paint etc.. well oven cleaner took it all off. Best for cleaning blocks before building... remember keep it GREEN

5219 S/G

Yes, I learned once the hard way with greased lightning degreaser. I used it on some polished aluminum wheels. It definately ate the polish and the grime. So before I had my hindparts kicked by my dad, I buffed them until my arms fell off. Well, not really. Another good cleaner is the liquid or powder tide. I use a mix of water and tide in a bucket to clean a block after the machine shop has had it. Really does a nice job, but make sure to blow dry all areas of the block and use some spray penetrant.

kaliann

Using my hair dryer on my car will really get my neighbors talking!

5219 S/G

LOL! My mistake Kaliann! I was referring to a bare naked engine block with no internals. You do not need to blow dry after washing a fully assmbled engine