What product for washing oil off an engine without damage?

[anonymous-user]

My car has suffered a bit of an oil leak and there is oil splattered and pooled in crevices all over the motor.

Although fully rust-proofed by the oil splatter around the engine bay the downside is that when the engine gets hot, smoke starts gently wafting up through the grills in the engine cover causing a bit of a smell in the air.

So I really need to thoroughly hose the whole thing down but I don't know what product to use that will wash the oil off but not damage paintwork, plug leads, rubber etc.

Any suggestions?

[shake n bake]

Brake cleaner is a fantastic degreasant. A can or two and you'll be sorted.

[robinessex]

Any water soluble stuff will do. Halfrauds is ok. Spray on, agitate with brush if required, leave for a short while, spray with a GENTLE spray from hose pipe to wash off. Mind the drive though. Sand or sawdust on this.

[TooMany2cvs]

NinjaPower said:

So I really need to thoroughly hose the whole thing down but I don't know what product to use that will wash the oil off but not damage paintwork, plug leads, rubber etc.

They're the least of your worries, tbh. Just a damn good pressurewashing will get most of the gunk off, especially if it's still fairly liquid, rather than that thick greasey goop that it develops into over time.

Electronics, though...

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

Astonish Engine Degreaser - it's really good stuff (check the Amazon reviews if you don't believe me). Very cheap too.
Far better than Gunk etc.

[DIW35]

I used to use a product called 'Gunk' on my old bike. No idea if you can still get it. Just used an old 2" paint brush to apply it, and then hose it off.

[996TT02]

Any half decent engine degreaser will work, I believe I currently use some "Carplan" stuff and that is OK too. Used to have some Autoglym stuff and that was rather amazing however relatively more expensive so if you are not to bothered just go for some cheap stuff. Apply by spraying and then hose off, perhaps use a brush if there is a lot of stuff to shift.

[TheRealFingers99]

996TT02 said:

Any half decent engine degreaser will work, I believe I currently use some "Carplan" stuff and that is OK too. Used to have some Autoglym stuff and that was rather amazing however relatively more expensive so if you are not to bothered just go for some cheap stuff. Apply by spraying and then hose off, perhaps use a brush if there is a lot of stuff to shift.

That, then sort out the oil leak.

[.blue]

shake n bake said:

Brake cleaner is a fantastic degreasant. A can or two and you'll be sorted.

I need to do this to my bike and before using Brake cleaner (which I have in the garage), is this a serious suggestion? :P

[Dog Star]

.blue said:

shake n bake said:

Brake cleaner is a fantastic degreasant. A can or two and you'll be sorted.

I need to do this to my bike and before using Brake cleaner (which I have in the garage), is this a serious suggestion? :P

Brake cleaner is the dogs! I buy it in 5 litre cans and use it for everything in a squirty bottle.

[trickywoo]

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD

[Nicky86]

This stuff, forget the cheesy name I've cleaned many grotty engines with this. Spray on good scrub with a paint brush then rinse off. Can be found in many cheap tat shops, home bargains etc.

[johnny fotze]

Red diesel for cheap, easy start for not cheap but very effective.

[thatdude]

Try to avoid pressure washers as they can force water into places that cant be seen.

My dad used a steam cleaner on my motorcycle engine a couple of times, it was more gentle.

Any strong detergent will help as the detergent molecules have an oil soluble part and a water soluble part. Get a fair bit on and agitate with a stiff brush and wait a while (do this with the engine cold so nothing dries) and then rinse off...and repeat as nessecary.

[TheRealFingers99]

.blue said:

shake n bake said:

Brake cleaner is a fantastic degreasant. A can or two and you'll be sorted.

I need to do this to my bike and before using Brake cleaner (which I have in the garage), is this a serious suggestion? :P

It'll do it. The formulation is similar to many types of panel wipe, so a cheaper way is just to use panel wipe and either a pump bottle or some air compressor driven delivery method.

Do it outside, no smoking, try not to breathe in.

[itannum990]

Parafin is probably the cheapest way, spray a load on, leave for a while and pressure hose it off. Just done mine!