[Roadsters] Legally compliant engine cleaning

[Bubba]

When I pulled wrenches for the local Phone Company for years, we bought 
Simple Green in 45 gallon drums (55 gallon for those in the US) in 
concentrate form.  We mixed it with water and used one of those pump up 
sprayers used to kill weeds.  We used this to de-grease everything up to and 
including Caterpillars, Back-hoes and fork lifts.  Spray it on the DRY 
engine.  Thoroughly saturate it, and let it soak, but not to the point where 
it dries.  Then hit it with the pressure washer.  If you're using a pump 
bottle, one bottle will do 4 tires, and one engine compartment.

Works good on the tires!  Once again, spray it on DRY tires, but no need to 
go quite as heavy as under the hood.  Pressure wash just before it dries.

I've used Simple Green and Fantastic, with similar results, but Simpe Green 
is more Environmentally Friendly.

I washed vehicles in this order
.
1)    Use first 1/2 Bottle under the hood, heavily on the (preferrably) warm 
engine, more heavily on dirtier areas
2)    Wet all 4 tires tillit just starts to run down
3)    Return to engine compartment and empty rest of bottle on Battery wheel 
wells firewall under hood if not insulated etc.
4)    Pressure wash the tires start at the bottom and work your way around 
and up each tire.  Get the nozzle real close.
5)    Pressure wash the engine.  Get the nozzle real close except electrical 
components, where you back off a bit.
6)    Pressure wash rest of engine compartment.  Get the nozzle real close. 
Careful (back off) on electrical components and connectors.
7)    Wash rest of vehicle. normally
8)    Hope it starts.  If it doesn't you blasted electrical components too 
hard.

Bob Winslade
1966-1600 Missy
1967-1600 Bender
1972-510 Daisy
1972-510 Spare Change


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <nmleeds at mindspring.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 12:12 PM
Subject: [Roadsters] Legally compliant engine cleaning


> All,
>
> I understand car work is dirty. Cars are dirty. And engine grime is really 
> dirty. But however much I like to breath in my own exhaust and fumes I'm 
> inclined to respect the wishes of my state government (California) when 
> they ask that I not use engine cleaner at my local car wash (especially 
> the one near the ocean and a local school). But this creates a problem --  
> how the hell do I clean my engine? Any ideas? Are there places which are 
> equipped to handle the toxic effluence inevitable in an engine scrub?
>
> Nathaniel
> '69 U20 - SU (with a dirty engine)
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