Mr. XJ

Hi, Im new to all this. I bought 1992 Jeep Cherokee Sport about just over a week ago and I don't like it.....I LOVE it! I always wanted a Cherokee.

There are some problems that I'll address in a different thread. But this is particularly on how to degrease the engine.

I did some research here and in some other places but I still don't really know how to. I'm 18, so I'm barely starting off on my adventure with cars, so bare with me.

I know I have to use a degreaser and wash it down. But what is best, low pressure or high pressure, like a pressure washer? I think a pressure washer would do a better job of getting all the grime, oil and dirt build up in my engine bay. Would or can a pressure washer dissconect any wire or hoses? I've also heard that the engine should be on but I've also heard it should be off. So which is it? and What exactly needs to be covered as in electronic?

Like I said I'm new and thats why I came here for your help and wisdom. Please help, I really want to degrease my engine. I know I have a small oil leak some where! I just dont know where its coming from, all the grime build up is covering it up.

Thanks for your help and advice,

96_xj

just get a simple degreaser off the shelf at our local parts store, follow the directions on the can. I would preassure wash the under side of the engine, hose wash the upper side.

Be carefull of electronics and your distributor (where your spark plug wires connect to).


when washing things down i always do it with the engine running that way if the hose hits X part of the engine and it dies i know where to look to fix the issue lol.


and as always welcome to the site!!!

Weou09

It would be smart to cover the battery, alternator and fuse box all of which are on the passenger side and fairly easy to get a bag tied around.

Mr. XJ

Thanks for the advice! If I have a chance tomorrow I'm going to try and degrease the engine.

djb383

Try to use the least amount of water possible.......more elbow grease and less water will always be best. Scrape the heavy gunk off by hand. I glued a PVC cap onto a PVC garden hose attachment and drilled a 1/16" hole in the end of the PVC cap and screwed it on the garden hose. After the degreaser sits for a while, doing its thing, u'll be amazed at how well that tiny stream of water cleans. Avoid direct contact with any electrical stuff.

CodeXJ

Hey, that's a good idea!

dzzavid

Wow, great idea, i will be doing this for now on.

djb383

Here'a a pic of the other end..... just screw it on the garden hose and git 'er done, works great.

Bustedback

I can't wait for the post that says " I just washed my engine and now it runs like crap". I use brake cleaner to degrease. Engines do get dirty, that is why there is a hood over them.

Steph74

OK so I just washed my engine and now it runs like crap..... what do i do ?

CodeXJ

Remove the distributor cap, spray down with WD40 and reinstall. Pull each wire from the plugs one at a time and do the same. You probably got water in there.

Steph74

Thanks... i was just joking on the previous post.... but I guess it is good to know

djb383

.........and all along I thought a hood was over them so there would be something to cut holes in so the engine would run cooler.....well duh on my part.

CodeXJ

I thought you might be, but figured better to be safe.