Question about Cleaning my bus engine

[mugsytrpt]

What is the best product to use when cleaning my engine.  I have a few slow oil leaks.  Its an Old Detroit and I expect it to leak.  However, if it is just because a hose is not tightened I could  fix it without a problem.  I do not expect to keep it from leaking some.  With that said, I do not want to use anything that would harm my belts, hoses, and engine parts.  Be nice....I am new to the bus world and just do not want to mess anything up.  My engine runs GREAT.  Just want to know where the oil is coming from.

Thanks,
James

[gus]

James,

I use Gunk from WM. Spray it on, let it sit and spray with water. Warm or hot water is better but not essential. It is better if the engine is slightly warm, not hot. You don't want to spray cold water on a hot exh manifold.

I cover the alternator but nothing else, and don't get carried away around the fan bearings or belts. Depends on your setup, anything electronic is especially easy to mess up.

There are many other things to do the same job as you will soon find out!

[artvonne]

  What an opportune thread, seeing as it was a question I had been considering after recently getting my Bus. I didnt want to just start blasting away with the pressure washer without knowing what we could wreck.

  On aircraft we put a big drain pan under the engine and sprayed it down with solvent. Dont know why that wouldnt work on the Bus, but again, we dont want to get anything inside the engine or whatever. Gunk (or simular) aerosol engine cleaners have always been great at helping loosen up thick buildups of oiley greasey dirt and gook.

[oldmansax]

I picked this from Pete Masterson over on the Wanderlodge board. They are pretty anal about keeping things looking good.

TOM

5 Steps to Detailing a Engine - With Professional Results
First of all, barring any health issues detail it yourself. It's not too hard and if you stay AWAY from a high pressure water nozzle you should be fine.

Here's how I did our coach and previous vehicles I've owned (won my class at SuperChevy years ago). It's proven and looks great:

5 Steps to Detailing a Engine - With Professional Results



Supplies:

    * Windex (3-4 bottles)
    * Armor All (or some other tire/rubber protectant 3-4 lg bottles)
    * A couple of old socks
    * Water hose and low pressure nozzle

Buy extra, you can always use it somewhere else. Naturally stay away from any potentially sensitive areas that are not water resistant. On my car I had a cone intake filter and the distributor but everywhere else was good to go, on the coach there was a couple of areas with fuse blocks and I just stayed away from there. Don't forget the genny if it's an open design.

Step 1: Liberally spray Armor All EVERYWHERE you can, don't be stingy. It'll act as a penetrating agent and is safe for every surface I can think of. You want it to cut the grime.

Step 2: Close the compartment then Start and run the engine to warm it up. The heat will help the Armor All penetrate the accumulated grime. Apply more ArmorAll anywhere you see soaking up and drying out. After 5 minutes of running warm (doesn't need to get to full temp). Turn it off.

Step 3: Apply the Windex EVERYWHERE. This will cut (dilute) the Armor All. Start and run for 5 more minutes (close the hood you want it to be steamy if possible).

Step 4: Take the water hose and gently wash away the grime and stuff from years gone by. There's not much that's not waterproof on a engine but stay away from high pressure.

If you still have pockets of heavy grime you can spot treat directly, scrape it away, etc... or repeat 1-4 again.

Now you can stop here if you want and the results will actually be quite good. Subsequent Windex treatments are needed if you are going to touch up the paint anywhere, as the Windex doesn't totally remove all of the ArmorAll. But to take it to the next level try the socks and a little more ArmorAll.

Step 5: With the socks on your hands spray a little more Armor All lightly and wipe down everything in sight. This will even out the protectant and get rid of dry spots on the hoses. They will look ,like NEW. Be careful of sharp edges. The results generally will make the engine, hoses, paintwork look FACTORY FRESH. Better results than any I have ever seen from a "Detailer".

One last note: Don't do this in the driveway. The road grime coming off is disgusting and will stain your concrete and possibly garner the DW's wrath. Do it at the curb if possible. And don't forget the Generator as well.

Time? 2-3 hours by yourself. Get help, there's a lot of room to cover in a pusher.

Repeat Annually and you'll be proud to show off the mechanicals at any time. And your mechanic will love not working on a grimy, slimy motor.

[Mike in GA]

An old sage once told me that Gunk wasn't the best for seals and hoses, etc. Also, not sure if it's biodegradable. I have always used Clean Green via hand sprayer, on a cool engine, cut 50-50 with water, and worked into the corners with a stiff parts cleaner brush. Flush with cool water.
   I do this after every trip and it keeps my engine clean, and reduces the chance of a bad engine fire.
   As has been mentioned - never spray cold water on a hot engine. This practice cost me an exhaust manifold last year.
   Just my way - YMMV.
Mike in GA

[mugsytrpt]

Thanks so much for the info.  I started cleaning it today and looks pretty good.  There are still some bad spots and I will get them this weekend.  I wanted to hit the high spots this afternoon.  I plan on doing a more detailed cleaning this weekend.  Again, thanks for your help.

James

[boxcarOkie]

An old sage once told me that Gunk wasn't the best for seals and hoses, etc. Also, not sure if it's biodegradable. I have always used Clean Green via hand sprayer, on a cool engine, cut 50-50 with water, and worked into the corners with a stiff parts cleaner brush. Flush with cool water.
   I do this after every trip and it keeps my engine clean, and reduces the chance of a bad engine fire.
   As has been mentioned - never spray cold water on a hot engine. This practice cost me an exhaust manifold last year.
   Just my way - YMMV.
Mike in GA

And "YMMV." means what?

BCO

[Utahclaimjumper]

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY

[boxcarOkie]

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY

Got it.

BCO

[chart1]

best way I have found is to blow a fuel line going down the highway spraying $200 of diesel on your motor, engine compartment , and all the cars behind me.

[Dave Siegel]

We have a PD 3751 1948 Silversides a very very leaky GMC 671. The system that I use is Simple Green on the engine, and other components with no spray on the belts. I then wash it off with a 1200 psi power sprayer. I have used this system for years with no problems what so ever.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

Dave

[Barn Owl]

Whatever soap I have, from engine degreaser to whatever I have in a spray bottle. Then I use a high power pressure washer to finish the job. The setup makes a good paint stripper if you get to close.

[Gary LaBombard]

Be sure to protect electronics with plastic bags etc, alternator and anything you wish not to get wet: then

I have used just DAWN Dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle, Mix about 5 table spoons into bottle after putting in the water first.  Shake bottle and spray over engine.  let set about 5 minutes, repeat without rinsing yet.  Then rinse good with water hose then start engine to dry off.  It is better though to scrape the very biggest globs of oil / dirt debris off first if mixed with dirt etc. 

They use DAWN to treat oil contamination off animals in oil catastrophes and it works real good.  I use the bottle of DAWN mix as my portable sink in my shop to rinse off hands.  It takes off all the grease possible, but need to do it twice to get penetration and absolutely squeaky clean.

This will not make your paint peel or harm your bus in any way, it doesn't hurt little birds or ducks!!
Hope all this helps you out, you got a few choices for sure.
Gary

[Dreamscape]

Just be careful around the flapper on your blower. Don't ask how I know OK! It is quite embarrassing going down the highway blowing a significant amount of black smoke with a trooper following you.

Oldmansax, that is a very interesting way to do it, one I had not heard of.

[oldmansax]

Oldmansax, that is a very interesting way to do it, one I had not heard of.

I tried it a little & it does do a good job.

As I said, it's not my formula. I got it off the Wanderlodge Board. Those folks are ..... shall we say....... somewhat picky.   

TOM