Member Since: 20 Dec 2014
Location: Pennington KZN
Posts: 51
Oil spills and smells, washing the engine
I must have a few small oil leaks resulting in bad smells once hot and running. I would like to degrease and wash down the engine and underneath as much as possible.
Any reservations about doing this? I don't want to interfere with critical electronics etc?
4th Nov 2015 3:07 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I wouldnt wash any modern car engine, what I do us a lot is brake cleaner and a pump up sprayer bottle, brilliant, BUT do not start engine for a little while after you have cleaned it to let the fumes evaporate.
Roughly 15 pounds for 5 litres, works well on any surface carpet/clothes etc to get oil and grease stains out, cleans tools in fact cleans anything oily.
DO NOT smoke whilst using it I cant remember what happens to the fumes as they pass through the cigarette but Iirc the red hot tip heat turns the fumes into some sort of mustard gas.
4th Nov 2015 7:47 pm
simisteven
Member Since: 20 Dec 2014
Location: Pennington KZN
Posts: 51
Thanks for the tip. I am not familiar with brake cleaner, I will have to research whether I can get it here.
Can you send me a pic of the tin or trade name?
Unfortunately many of the weird and wonderful stuff you can buy in the UK is not available here is SA.
5th Nov 2015 9:06 am
Discogaz
Member Since: 17 Mar 2014
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 1399
Are not most brake cleaners MEK (Methyl Ethyl ketone) based?
5th Nov 2015 9:11 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Opinions vary and I for one would not spray brake cleaner all over an engine bay to clean it.
A more focused use against parts that will be safe with brake cleaner applied is OK by me.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 20 Dec 2014
Location: Pennington KZN
Posts: 51
I just googled a locally available product and it said do not apply to painted surface. There is a product here called Wynns Cleen Green and I will use that.
thanks for the input chaps.
5th Nov 2015 9:14 am
armalites
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
PAGID do it, that was the one name that I could think of that is a biggish name.
Too expensive for me, I buy my brake cleaner 4+ at time and get them at £7.50 each for 5L.
It's great stuff for cleaning oil bit and it flashes off really quickly.
If you buy in 5L you do need to buy a proper pump spray bottle that is suitable for solvents because it will ruin a normal trigger spray with a few uses.
This is the cheapest I've ever seen them, I also use them for WD40,TFR,tyre dress.
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I cant remember what happens to the fumes as they pass through the cigarette but Iirc the red hot tip heat turns the fumes into some sort of mustard gas.
