How to Clean Engine (properly) for Fixing Oil Leaks

[direwulf23]

I've finally gotten the big things on my truck, that I'm aware of, addressed so now I'm looking for oil leaks. This truck had a bad fuel leak from the fuel pump and a very bad oil leak from the oil dipstick adapter for quite some time. the PO had been using the truck sparingly towards the end as well and it sat for a while. So, the truck is filthy.
Does do you PEOPERLY clean up an engine? There's obviously a lot of electrical stuff in there and 20 year old plastic get brittle. I know I have quite a bit of oil seepage on the engine, there are zero puddles left wherever I park, and I have some good ideas on the sources but I need to narrow them down without chucking a bunch of money (which I don't have) at the possible problems.

1995 Ford F250 SCLB 4wd ZF5 7.3L PSD, stock.

 

[94f450sd]

Take it to the carwash and blast it off.just dont directly spray the alternator.

 

[greenskeeper]

gunk degreaser gel, spray on and let sit. Hit the bad areas with a brush. Hose off with low pressure nozzle. If still difficult to pinpoint you can sprinkle baby powder in the suspect areas and it will show right up.

 

[theguruat12]

Conecentrated Simple Green- Industrial Degreaser and Cleaner.

Works very well, and as a plus, I don't even have to feel bad for dumping toxic chemicals everywhere!

 

[stealth13777]

All of the above has worked for
me. Even used simple green in a bucket with a sponge, scraper, and wire brush when my only option was a place that made you clean everything up.


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[Waystro]

Simple Green works also Dawn Dish Soap Works good

 

[V8BBGER]

Best works without real work is mom's oven cleaner. Just spray it on, wait until it has done it's work and then just rinse it off with a garden hose.

See you...

Ronny

 

[IDIoit]

oven cleaner eats aluminum...
water will not neutralize it

 

[V8BBGER]

That is not really right. Oven cleaner eats grease and does not harm aluminum at all.

 

[79jasper]

Purple power. I like to do it with the engine warm.
I've heard good things about simple green.

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