Cleaning My Engine

I have to travel on dirt roads where I live, and my engine gets pretty dusty (unlike Dusty's engine which never gets dusty!)

Any suggestions on how to best clean it? I wiped it down, but that takes a long time and doesn't do such a good job. In the old days I'd gunk it and hose it done!

Cole

Mini air compressor. Can even use a 12v version for loose dust and some most wipes. The Clorox houshold wipes that come in the round tube work very good. the Invisible Glass product also works very well.

If you live is dusty area your going to need to make it part of your routine every few days.


http://www.invisibleglass.com/OrderIG.htm

Does the dust soak up all that oil that would otherwise be sliding down the outside engine parts?

Do you need to add an air cleaner element on the cooling fan input side?

If you drive faster, will you stay ahead of most dust particles?

So, what's the problem with gunk-ing it and hosing it down??

That's what I do...

Driving faster makes the dust worse.

Do you Gunk your engine and hose it down when it's cold, to avoid cracking the case?

Cole,
Sounds like you live in an area like mine. I have to drive a mile on a dirt/gravel road to get to and from my house. A good portion of it is my driveway!
I use compressed air, dust brushes and rags to clean my engine. But, for the most part, it stays a bit dusty.
I strongly suggest you put pre filters on your carbs. It'll save a lot of headaches down the road.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C13%2D43%2D6113

Cole - some degreasers call for a hot engine, some for a cold engine. Read the label.

Yes, I have about 5 miles of dirt roads to the house. Picture attached.

Very Cool!

Hose it off. Water won't hurt it (and if it does, better never hit a mud puddle).

angela

i hosed my engine once and even though the plug wires have those large rubbber grommets on them water got into the recessed plug areas and car would no start. i ended up pulling the wires, blowing them out and letting them air dry for awhile.

Angela suggested "hose it off" not to dip the whole thing!

dave..HOSE THIS....

Dave---try a Scotchbrite pad and WD-40. Spray a small area, scrub it then rinse it down with a wet rag. A miracle solution that worked great on my nasty 1987 BMW bike when I restored it. I got this off the BMW site and was amazed at how well it worked.