Engine pressure cleaning.

notjustair · Nov 27, 2015

Just got back from a harbor freight trip. I'm $265 lighter and I only went in for some of those nitrile gloves. I get sucked in just walking down the aisles.

Anyway, among my purchases was one of those air compressor wands that has a suction line on it for engine degreasing. Of course, I had to have it since I thought it was cool and the way I've done it the last 40 years wasn't high tech enough (old paint brush and a Folgers can of gas). Anyone have one of these? What kind of cleaner do you use? I routinely use Super Clean - would that be hard on it?

jeffcat · Nov 27, 2015

Well you can read what I do. The wash wand is good if you use a caustic soda. "Degreaser" Mix just a VERY LITTLE lie in cold water and hose it down. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wash it off with hot water. Don't get the damn stuff on you cause it will take your skin off! wear goggles too. Water will not get it off of you cause it binds with the oils and fats in your skin. Keep a bottle of vinigar or some lemon juice handy. It must be neutralized. I have taken Ivory hand soap and rubbed it all over my hands and arms and it really helps to wash up afterwards. The other thing I do is with their little hand held sand blaster. I use it with straight gas and a high pressure air hose! Boy does it ever clean! Wait for a good windy day and stay up wind. Pick your poison. You didn't hear it from me. I know nothing.Nothing!

notjustair · Nov 27, 2015

They must not be as "fragile" as I feared. I could just imagine some Chinese workers putting 42 seals in the thing that I will ruin with the first cleaner I suck through.

Super Clean is supposedly biodegradable. I question that. Anything that makes you cough like oven cleaner has to have nasty chemicals in it. I guess I will just try some and see. It was $9 I think. If I blow some seals I won't be out a ton of cash. I'm anxious to do fall machine cleanup when the weather warms next weekend. This ice storm is cramping my style.

Bob · Nov 28, 2015

"Chinese workers putting 42 seals in the thing "

Gosh, 42 of these 'lil fellows would be cute'rn HECK!

<img src = "https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/51/40/5b/51405b7a46613a6e715d48f5d47ef95c.jpg">

showcrop · Nov 28, 2015

As Jeffcat says you need to use caustic soda and as you said yes, it comes in the form of oven cleaner. I have sold commercial cleaning products for some 40 years, and have been using them for cleaning equipment for thirty years. What you want to do is spray a strong solution onto your greasy dirt first, I have always used a trigger sprayer. Give it ten minutes to work then go at it with the pressure spray with just a light concentration of the cleaner. It doesn't matter what you use for a cleaner, what cute name it has or what color it has, as long as it has potassium hydroxide it will work well. There really is no magic in this.

cuby · Nov 28, 2015

I use a parts cleaner sprayer and mineral spirits.

showcrop · Nov 28, 2015

(quoted from post at 22:18:51 11/27/15) They must not be as "fragile" as I feared. I could just imagine some Chinese workers putting 42 seals in the thing that I will ruin with the first cleaner I suck through.

Super Clean is supposedly biodegradable. I question that. Anything that makes you cough like oven cleaner has to have nasty chemicals in it. I guess I will just try some and see. It was $9 I think. If I blow some seals I won't be out a ton of cash. I'm anxious to do fall machine cleanup when the weather warms next weekend. This ice storm is cramping my style.

Actually the caustic is completely biodegradable. It is kind of like concentrated lime. It is the petroleum based products like mineral spirits, gasoline or fuel that you need to avoid unless you will be able to contain it.

Bill in IL · Nov 28, 2015

I usually use some orange citrus based cleaner. I get it as a concentrate and mix it into a sprayer. I had some orange based stuff from certified labs in an aresol can. That stuff really worked good. Don't know where to get more of that since my friend doesn't sell it anymore.

ss55 · Nov 28, 2015

Many years ago I tried one from Northern Hydraulic to clean off a house deck, it worked OK. It was called "Thunder Gun", yes it was loud. Have your hearing protection handy when you use it.

Catskill Pete · Nov 28, 2015

Those wand things aren't that great for cleaning off grease on an engine without heavy chemical treatment. But they are wonderful for cleaning out the plugged fins on a radiator and oil coolers. Even when they look clean it's amazing how much dust, hay chaff and just plain dirt are in a tractor radiator. One of the reasons I like them so much is with compressed air there isn't the pressure to damage and bend the fins, unlike a high pressure washer even when it's turned down. I just use warm water and a little bit of dishwashing liquid.

2510Paul · Nov 28, 2015

I put a CAT pump on my pressure washer and although not recommended it stands up to hot water from my standard hot water heater. I had hot water plumbed to a outdoor facet and hook that to the pressure washer. The hot water really helps move grease. So far that is my "go to" method. I have used different chemicals but prefer not to. On those days my wife cannot do laundry.

Paul

Engine pressure cleaning.

notjustair

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jeffcat

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notjustair

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Bob

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showcrop

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cuby

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showcrop

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Bill in IL

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ss55

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Catskill Pete

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2510Paul

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