Recommendation For Engine Cleaner

I need a recommendation for a good cleaner for my engine. I was wondering if they make a aluminum brightener/degreaser or something to that effect. The engine is still in the frame, so I need something not too harsh that wouldn't harm the powdercoat or any rubber components.

Something i use that is not strong is Simple Green.Spray it on let it sit, scrub it some if you like.Rinse.

Read the label carefully! I think Simple Green (Purple Power for sure) will corrode aluminum. Its OK to use, but you must really rinse well. Look for "phosphate" on the label. Even those labeled "phosphate free" (Purple Power) can ruin aluminum if not rinsed completely off.

I like plain old diesel or kerosene to degrease. Mineral spirits works well, too. Put it in a spray bottle and spray it on and let it soak. Then rinse it away with more. Clean up with hot soapy water. (I like Dawn dishwashing liquid). These are mild to all metals, powdercoating, and most paint. Natural rubber can be softened if the petroleum products arn't cleaned off. (It would have to soak in it for a long time, though). Another bonus for mineral spirits is that it will evaporate before it could do much harm to rubber or plastic.

sorry, double post

Post edited by: andoman, at: 2007/03/18 12:53

andoman wrote:

Read the label carefully! I think Simple Green (Purple Power for sure) will corrode aluminum. Its OK to use, but you must really rinse well. Look for "phosphate" on the label...

Wow, really? I started using Simple Green last year for engine cleaning with great results. In fact, I bought a spare engine for my 400 and the sucker was probably oil/grime covered from day 1, and Simple Green (and some scrubbing) did a great job. I admit I did rinse alot... but no ill-effects yet...

I was going to suggest Simple Green as well, good stuff!

We used the clear industrial strength blend when I worked at Avery label years ago, and it would strip dried high-strength adhesive from a rubber coated roller in nothing flat.....strong stuff!
When we closed that location down, there were a couple of 55gal drums of this stuff left over that mysteriously ended up making their way to the garages of several folks. :whistle:
I "appropriated" some in to a couple of empty milk jugs and put them in my garage for later use.
A week later, and it had "eaten" through the seams on the jugs and leaked out onto the shelf they were on!
Odd thing is, it didn't seem to create any probs if you were to get in on your hands or painted surfaces.

Since it unfortunately all leaked out though, I never got a chance to see how well it would work on a greasy engine.

You're a bad,bad man,Chris[shaking head}how do You sleep at night,My Friend?:huh:(pretty sure You're goin south for that,lol)


Quite a few years ago,before I pulled My bike out from "Under the tarp",after sitting for a few years...I used the "Gunk" engine degreaser,to get the bulk of the crap off.It worked pretty good,but I know it would have worked better,if the engine was warm.If I remember correctly,it did leave some residue even after a lot of rinsing,but then I used WD-40 and scotch-brite pads to get into the tighter areas,and do a way better cleanup.It looked WAY better after that.Use hot soapy water afterwards and then another rinse
From there...it's all up to You,and how picky You are.
Once You start though,You won't be able to stop,lol...it CAN become a disease!:whistle:

Good old Bleach White for tires works great too. We purcahse 5 gal. pails of a product from Malco called Red Thunder that does a great job. It's water based. We use it in our parts cleaner too.

I like the K&L Cycle cleaner. Heres a picture of a Honda S90 before.

Heres a pic of the S90 after.
One good tip for what ever cleaner you use is to use a foaming liquid hand soap container. It foams up the cleaner that you are using, making it stick and cuts down your consumption of your cleaner of choice. Using it has cut down my use of the cleaner by at least 1/2 of what I used to use.
Fish