Dirty engine bay cleaning...any advice?

[linx310]

What methods do you use to get dirty sludge off an engine when it installed in the jeep and you cant take it a car wash to use a steam pressure washer.

I tried the engine degreaser stuff but it doesn’t seem to cut it even with my electric pressure washer.

The engine, engine bay and most of the bottom of the transmission and transfer case are covered in a oil + grease + dirt mix.

Should I just take a paint scraper and do it all by hand.

[wesk]

Without a high pressure wash or steam system you have just described how it's done. Dirty, nasty, slow, PITA job. Primary tools are a narrow and a wide putty knife, medium size steel wire brush, many cans of degreaser and air compressor and a water hose. Depends on how much you value your time weather it's worth trailering to a proper facility or even hiring a professional steam cleaning which is really the best way if you are not doing a true frame off resto.

[Keith]

I have found that oven cleaners will cut through that baked on grease and oil the down fall is that it can damage the paint and rubber components but not always. Try a can of it in a test area first.

Good luck

[wesk]

The use of oven cleaner requires the use of rubber gloves and eye protection as well. No fun building an M38 that a blind man can't drive!