What's the best way to clean your engine?
05-27-2009, 01:03 PM
#1
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
What's the best way to clean your engine?
Maybe this is just me being vain, but I wanted to have a nice clean sparkly engine again in my old '90 cherokee... (that and Ive been trying unsuccessfully to track down a really small oil leak and can't find it). 
I have so much crap in the engine... is it safe to degrease it? The whole thing, lock, stock and barrel?
What's the best way to go about doing this? Any suggestions on how to get rid of the grease/sludge/dirt built up without hurting it?
I have so much crap in the engine... is it safe to degrease it? The whole thing, lock, stock and barrel?
What's the best way to go about doing this? Any suggestions on how to get rid of the grease/sludge/dirt built up without hurting it?
05-27-2009, 01:32 PM
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Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
I've used Gunk engine de-greaser (don't let it dry), followed by my power washer with general purpose cleaner, then rinse with the power washer. Looked like new again. Stay away from the alternator and other important electrical stuff and you should be fine. 
05-27-2009, 01:38 PM
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Just do it at home, not at the car wash as it may not want to start until dry. Seen this a few times at car washes when someone decided to clean an engine. I've done it without issue but if you have the ability to do it at home it is much better. :-)
I use the Orange engine de-greaser in the spray can followed by the hose, as I don't have a pressure washer (yet). At the car wash use the engine de-greaser setting if they have one and the low pressure (don't squeeze the trigger on the gun- that is what gets you into trouble!). Rinse the same way.
Just a thought...
I use the Orange engine de-greaser in the spray can followed by the hose, as I don't have a pressure washer (yet). At the car wash use the engine de-greaser setting if they have one and the low pressure (don't squeeze the trigger on the gun- that is what gets you into trouble!). Rinse the same way.
Just a thought...
05-27-2009, 02:13 PM
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Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
A cap full of liquid laundry detergent mix in a quart spray bottle with water
spray it all over every thing greasy let sit for 10 to 15 minuets
wash of with hi pressure hose nozzle
spray it all over every thing greasy let sit for 10 to 15 minuets
wash of with hi pressure hose nozzle
05-27-2009, 02:22 PM
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Year: 1990
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L
05-27-2009, 02:54 PM
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: l6 HO
Just be careful not to get the TPS wet. My son in law did his last week and afterwards the trans wouldn't downshift or shift into 3rd until it dried out the next day...Tj
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05-27-2009, 03:03 PM
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Believe it or not, I heard on another forum (might of been Comanche Club) that stove degreaser works well... I cant remember the brand though...
05-27-2009, 03:07 PM
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05-27-2009, 03:12 PM
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Year: 2001
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wow, great stuff. I just so happen to have a pressure washer too, so sounds like a winner 
Do I need to try to cover my distributor or anything? Or can I just hose it ALL down after I gunk/degrease it and then let it sit till it all dries? I have that option, since I'll be doing it in my driveway
Do I need to try to cover my distributor or anything? Or can I just hose it ALL down after I gunk/degrease it and then let it sit till it all dries? I have that option, since I'll be doing it in my driveway
05-27-2009, 03:13 PM
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I have not tried it... Its just what I have heard... I had a feeling that it was a little to potent... Just thought I could mention it so I could hear more feed back... It would be terrible to somehow damage your engine from that stuff.