I usually always clean my engines to keep them looking good and to make working on them less messy. So I know that this can be a hot topic (or a cold one) but with the 96' GMC new to me and the amount of oil and grime under the hood it is screaming for a good cleaning.

I usually buy the basic engine cleaner in a can and start with a cold engine. Disconnect the batteries and use aluminum foil to protect alternator and fuse boxes etc... Then I spray down and brush onto the problem areas. Using a garden hose not a pressure washer I spray down after about 5 to 15 minutes and then remove the foil wrap. Use a compressor to blow any visible water away before starting and driving to dry the engine. On my 97 Burb' I had no problems after cleaning except the "wait to start" light seemed to cycle a bit longer than it did before I cleaned the engine.

For the GMC I was thinking of getting away from the canned cleaners and just using something like Purple Power or another citrus based cleaner. Then after it dries I like to detail all plastic and rubber with an appropraite product and then future cleaning can either be done with soap and water or just a wipe down.

So - what do you say? Clean it or leave it as is?

If you say clean I would appreicate a quick run down of how you do like to clean your engine and engine bay - if you are on the side of leave it alone I would appreciate knowing why you say that.

Thank you for your feedback.

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

I clean only when there has been a issue that made a big mess.Best thing I have found is oven cleaner on a hot engine or spray it on then drive it to town and get it warmed up then spray off when cooled off but not completely cool.

 

I have been a gear head quite some time now and that is the first I have heard of using oven cleaner! I suppose it is not as caustic as the engine cleaners in a can. Does it do anything to the plastic or rubber parts (spot or color then white them)?

That is one vote to clean - 0 for no cleaning. And a new method to try.
Thank you!
~GOD BLESS~

john

 

I have been using it for years I try to stay away from wiring but I have soaked them to and I've never had a issue.You can watch the stuff melt off works very well with very little work. I have always bought the cheapest I could find at local dollar store.I haven't had spotting but you might want to use on hidden area to make sure.

 

I would do no more than a wipedown with Purple power and Dawn ultra concentrated no power washers then when everything dries off use WD-40 on all the plasitics and rubber under the hood this will last for months without silicone related problems and the interior never used armorall that **** will lead to cracks warm soapy water and when in dries a little Lemon pledge works wonders IMO
ohand that Purple Power is a great spot treater on the interior when shampooing I spot traet with 50/50 water and PP and then I get a gallon of cool water add Dawn Ultra to the water and suds up the bucket using only the suds I shamppo the interior and wet/dry vac as I go

 

I bought the 2 gallon Purple Power jug and some Dawn Dish detergent some WD40 a few good spray bottles and some brushes plus a pile of old tooth brushes on hand! Also one can of brake cleaner.

Since I had that one issue after using engine bright on my last 6.5 I have decided that I will try the spray and wipe method on this engine. I looked it over and it is grimmy and nasty - but I just am getting the vibe that it would not be good to use engine cleaner in a can and hose it down. Even though I have been doing that since who knows when on every car I have owned. But in the past you just had to cover the coil and the air cleaner on your gasser and you were ready to spray on the foaming engine cleaner whoo - hoo.

So since the 6.5 has so many connectors and areas that could become problem areas I will try the dryer approach. I ran out of time this weekend but I have all the supplies now and only 4 1/2 days until next weekend!

Will get some pictures to show off the handy work.

Thank you all for the advice.

~GOD BLESS~

john