Degreasing engines

Calendyr

Calendyr

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hey guys,


I did my second engine degreasing tonight and I am less than happy with the result.

I used Meg's Super Degreaser 4:1 and it basically did nothing. The engine is on a 2002 Accent and it was never cleaned. I was not expecting miracles on such a messy engine but I would spray the degreaser on a caked on oïl or grease spot, wait a minute or two and agitate with my fender brush and none of the gunk would be removed.

Then when I decided to clean the brush after the work was done the degreaser could not get it clean either. I am pretty disapointed with this product.

What do you guys use for engines? I know Gunk makes a good degreaser for engines but at 12$ a can, and I know it sometimes takes more than one can on very dirty engines, there is no way I can use that...

Help!

Engine before:
enginebefore1.jpg


Engine after:
engineafter1.jpg


Under the Hood before:
enginebefore2.jpg


Under the Hood after:
engineafter2.jpg
 
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Meg's degreaser is useless IME. If it's nasty caked on grease from an oil leak or similar, nothing IME works like Brake Clean. Brake Clean just works for oily grease. Depending on how bad it is, you will likely need a few cans.

I do t know if it's bad for the environment or causes Autism in your children , but this is what most mechanics will use to clean up oil leaks in an engine compartment. It works well and works fast. I wouldn't use it on paint. I've used it on plastics without issue.

Another product that we used to use when I was fixing cars was Ardex Spray Solvent.

If you don't want to use those, keep chugging along with APC type products.
 
Your end results are really good IMO, you could try using APC undiluted or brake clean though if this your personal car don't rush it just every other week or so give the engine a thoroughly scrub down until all of the gunk is completely gone then every month you can use car soap mixed with a little apc for maintain washing
 
wdmaccord said:
Try Amazing Roll Off.
Click to expand...

+1 on amazing roll off. I was genuinely surprised how well it works for degreasing.
On my used Diesel VW when I bought it used the engine had never been cleaned. Amazing Roll Off for a majority of the grime. Brake clean got the rest, the dressed with 303.
 
The best degreaser I've found and amazing results fast is Chem-EEZ i buy it by gallon at a janitorial supply about 9.00. I love it for engine and wheel cleaning and you can dilute it. This week i ended up buying the 5 gal for 25.00
 
Try PURPLE POWER.

Dillute it, as full power will leave streaks on the paint. It's a degreaser, and I use it at the shop i work at when one of the dumb General Service kids sprays oil all over the engine bay when doing an oil change.
 
Donn W said:
The best degreaser I've found and amazing results fast is Chem-EEZ i buy it by gallon at a janitorial supply about 9.00. I love it for engine and wheel cleaning and you can dilute it. This week i ended up buying the 5 gal for 25.00
Click to expand...

Is that the stuff that dilutes 100:1 for light cleaning? I saw this product at janitorial store and did not buy it but really wanted to give it a try...
 
Ok thanks guys. I will try purple power if I can find it. Same with the Janitorial product and if those don't work I will go with break cleaner. Break cleaner is super expensive compared to other cleaning products so I would only use that as a last resort.

I heard there was a product called Oil eater that was very effective but never managed to find any.

D130 is too expensive, with shipping it would cost me about 50$ per gallon, that makes no sense for this kind of work.

Amazing Roll off I will take note of an see if I can find any.

Lots of good choices, just need to find one around here ;)


Thanks again.

ps: Yes it's my vehicle. It's a car I purchased to flip. Gonna start the body work tomorrow.
 
I use steam, works great. I've used Megs Super Degreaser, but you make need several attempts on a neglected engine.
 
On really dirty, nasty engines I use Gunk Engine Bright.


Tip:

Wet the exterior paint just to make sure it doesn't harm the paint , I for one have never had issues using it.
The product will melt the grease and oils like no other IMHO.
All for three bucks a can, I always buy two cans to make sure I have enough, always rinse well.
However I only use it when it's really needed.
 
Ya... here in Canada it's 10,99$ a can. I really hate Canadian prices compared to US... always feel like I am getting ripped off ;(
 
HateSwirls said:
On really dirty, nasty engines I use Gunk Engine Bright.


Tip:

Wet the exterior paint just to make sure it doesn't harm the paint , I for one have never had issues using it.
The product will melt the grease and oils like no other IMHO.
All for three bucks a can, I always buy two cans to make sure I have enough, always rinse well.
However I only use it when it's really needed.
Click to expand...

You meant Gunk Engine Brite? Is it heavy duty version of normal Gunk? There are so many version of Gunk, I am confused. One if foamny, another is orginal, and so on.
 
irsankao said:
You meant Gunk Engine Brite? Is it heavy duty version of normal Gunk? There are so many version of Gunk, I am confused. One if foamny, another is orginal, and so on.
Click to expand...

The one I use is foamy. Yes "Gunk Engine Brite Degreaser"
There are a few different brands but pretty much do the same,clean a nasty engine.
 
Not for nothing, I think that engine looks pretty damn good all things considering....

I'd wait another couple weeks and hit it again. Seems like you wanna eat off that engine, which is fine, but remember it didn't get that way over night. Only way to make it perfect in one shot might be steam and a afternoon.
 
I use Purple Power also. I dilute 50/50. I have no trouble with it. I get mine at NAPA when it's on sale.
 
All the brake kleens and spray degreasers are petroleum based. I find they come out with a little too much force and splatter. Spraying it in a cup and brushing it on works but it evaporates quickly and you lose product. I've used solvents from a solvent tank when I worked as a mechanic and they have non-flammable solvents these days. When I used them it was kerosene which is a form of diesel fuel. I have a gas can dedicated to diesel fuel and when I run into a tough engine detail I pour an inch of diesel fuel into a coffee can and use my old detail brushes to dab around the caked on oil and grease. It melts right off. Diesel doesn't put off a lot of fumes because it's heavier than gas but it's still a flammable substance. I keep cardboard under the engine when I clean engines and use it to start fires in my outdoor fire pit. I'm not recommending this procedure to anyone but just laying it out there for those that have familiarity with diesel fuel because it's a bargain product that works very well. I don't want to see anyone get burned or injured. I find it safer than carb cleaner, starting fluids, and brake cleaners. Just sharing.
 
I would try ZEP 505 or ZEP Industrial Purple. Both are available at Home Depot in Canada.
 
Thanx for sharing , didn t know Meg s Super Degreaser was that good !

How long it took you altogether fella !
 
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