Engine Cleaning

Greg

Greg

Active Member
Mar 27, 2008
1,310
North Jersey
Boat Info
2003 480 Sedan Bridge
Engines
QSM-11's
I just had an issue where my port dipstick came loose and popped out of the tube while underway. As a result it sprayed oil all over the place. It probably is only down about a quart or so, but imagine taking a quart of engine oil in a spray bottle and spraying it all over.

I've only had to spot clean the engines and transmissions in the past. Now my nice shiny white engines now have this thin mist of oil all over them. :smt013

My question is what can I use to clean the engines. Can I just spray them down with Gunk (or similar) and hose it off?

There is a hole in the top of the trans, I would think I should keep water out of there. Anything else to be concerned with?

I would bring them up to temp afterwards to dry them.
 
Hi Greg,

I'll let the diesel experts chime in on cleaning the engines, but when I had an oil spill/spray from my oil changer, I found the super Simple Green (the purple stuff) really did a great job cleaning the oil on the bilge gel coat. Sprayed it on, wiped it off, sprayed again and rinsed...

Enjoyed seeing your beautiful boat last summer.
 
http://www.sonicscrubbers.com/

Best engine room cleaning tool made (coupled with a spray bottle of simple green)... and you all made FUN OF ME when I ordered the first ones when they came out...

You can now get them direct or at Northern Tool, Wal-Mart, Target, and a couple online auto-detailing supply companies.... check out the attachments...

Other than that, you can rinse off the engines... the operators manual says to steam clean them every few years... never done that though...
 
Wow, that looks great, I can clean my engines, scrub the toilets and then clean the pots from dinner, all with one tool...

Seriously though that does look pretty cool, I will order one. Which attachments do you think work the best for this application?
 
I have a steam cleaner (not a vacuum) that's almost unstoppable in the ER. It leaves very little residual moisture, but the steam while it's running means that I'm working "blind" most of the time.

I think I'll pick up one of those scrubbers. I bet it would be a good compliment to the steamer and Simple Green.
 
Hi Roller Coastr & Four Suns -

My name is Emily - I am with SonicScrubbers. Just wanted to say THANKS for the great review!

We appreciate the review & are offering 20% off to ClubSeaRay users - use code 'clubsearay' at checkout.

Also, for anyone who isn't familiar with our tools, here's a quick summary: the tool is battery powered with interchangeable brushes & pads, including microfiber pads specifically designed for autos, boats, etc. Read more here!

Thanks again for the review!
Emily Caraballo
emily@sonicscrubbers.com
801.928.5112
 
Gary has a fan
 
I used 3M foaming degreaser last year. ~$6 a spray can. I let it set for 5 minutes then lightly rinsed things off. It did a pretty good job taking the gunk off. I also laid an old bed sheet cut in half under the motors to catch the crud. I'd guess about any degreaser like Gunk would work just as well. dont know if its true but heard simple green can do bad things to hoses, rubber, etc over time so I only use it in the bilges and ER gelcoat surfaces.

I like the little scrubber deal above too--great idea. Four Suns is probably getting a free lifetime supply of scrubber pads now.
 
I have used Gunk engine cleaner, rinsed well and shop vac'd out the water with great results.....
 
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