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Cleaning the Engine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TomE
  • Start date Start date
T

TomE

Guest
It's got that nasty, burnt on oil. The brown stuff that mixed with dirt and really does not want to come off. The PO told me he has never, ever, cleaned the engine. My "Suzuki" brand de-greaser really did not touch it.

It does come off with a small wire brush and a cloth, but there has to be a better way than that!

So what's your favorite ways to clean the engine?

Thanks!
 
I use purple power. Stuff works really good. Just got to make sure to rinse it off really good.
 
I use Gunk (not the foamy stuff) start your engine and get it hot and then spray at least two cans on it and let sit for a half hour. Use a high pressure nozzle on a garden hose and it will get the majority of it off.
 
I was actually going to ask the same question. Are there ways to give it a good cleaning without using a hose/power washer? I have a can of aerosol engine degreaser that I haven't tried yet.
 
There is no easy way to get it off. Period.

Simple Green Concentrate or Purple Power. Toothbrushes and baby bottle brushes. Spray, soak, scrub, rinse, repeat...again and again...and it will come off. I like the Simple Green as you can spray it on and let it soak overnight, and it will still rinse off easily after it has dried. I didn't use any high pressure. In fact, I rinsed with a spray bottle.

Here's what I started with:

100_5242-1.jpg


Notice the dried up puddle under the engine from scrubbing:


100_1401.jpg



100_1412.jpg
 
Lose the wire brush! Use nylon or some non-metallic stiff brushes that won't leave fine scratches in the paint (even the silver engines are painted). Simple Green also works well...you can vary the amount of dilution to your needs, but don't let it (or any de-greaser) dry on the engine. I car-wash the bike once a year before winter storage, and avoid the high pressure trigger myself, anywhere on the engine (but use it under the fenders etc.)...the car-wash line pressure is usually enough to rinse. If you too have pods, better to cover them up with small plastic baggies. If you use the de-greaser on the wheels, spray some on a rag to wipe with...if it's sprayed directly on the wheel it's hard to avoid getting it on the discs/pads.
Tony.
 
Mysuzyq said:
Lose the wire brush! Use nylon or some non-metallic stiff brushes that won't leave fine scratches in the paint (even the silver engines are painted).
Click to expand...

The pic is deceiving...I didn't use that wire brush on the engine...only toothbrushes and baby bottle brushes as stated above.
 
renobruce said:
The pic is deceiving...I didn't use that wire brush on the engine...only toothbrushes and baby bottle brushes as stated above.
Click to expand...
Sorry I wasn't clear...I was referring to what the OP said in his first post, about it coming off with a wire brush. +1 on the tooth & baby bottle brushes. I don't have any significant leaks, so get by with a dollar store paintbrush. I have often used your bike as an example of the most stunning transformation yet, re. engine finish.:)
Tony.
 
renobruce said:
The pic is deceiving...I didn't use that wire brush on the engine...only toothbrushes and baby bottle brushes as stated above.
Click to expand...
I was just wondering,
How long did you spend on that engine bruce?
And how long did the polishing take?
Thanks for the info.
 
+1 on Reno, I wish mine came out that well but i bet he put in much more time than i did cleaning. I was running low on the elbow grease.
 
Hi,

I also use Simple Green and a toilet brush from the dollar store. My engine is not as shiny as Mr. renobruce's but here is a before picture:

before2.jpg


After only one spray/soak/scrub/rinse cycle:

after2.jpg



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Last edited:
In order of strength: Simple Green < Purple Power < Spray Engine Degreaser

The engine cleaner spray comes in different types too, the citrus stuff doesn't seem as strong but it smells way better.
 
landshark said:
I was just wondering,
How long did you spend on that engine bruce?
And how long did the polishing take?
Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

It took a few days to get the engine clean. I would scrub on it for an hour or so, then let it soak and come back and do it some more. So probably about 4 hours of actual scrubbing.

The polished parts were first stripped of clearcoat, then sanded starting with 320 wet/dry and working up to 2000 grit. Then polished. These pieces were done with Mother's aluminum polish and a buff in a hand drill. Probably a total of 3 hrs. sanding and 3 hrs. polishing. I have since acquired a polishing wheel which really speeds the polishing up.
 
OK is this a competition? More then one way to clean game.... er motorcycles.... I prefer the disassemble and blast.......good work guys always another way and good results!! Dam ain't tinkerin fun? Ok it's a slow rainy day here don't feel like workin outside.....
 
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