[Roadsters] Legally compliant engine cleaning

[Fred Katz]

I use "Oil Eater", buy it in gallon jugs and transfer it to spray  
bottles. It's biodegradable, non-flammable, on the label it says  
"authorized by USDA for cleaning non-food processing areas". Works  
great in conjunction with a stiff bristled brush. Even better with a  
steam cleaner wand. It's a concentrate, most of the time I use it full  
strength. The bad news is that you're still dumping oily grime washed  
from your engine, but it's nothing compared to all the grime dumped by  
restaurants and businesses. I know that's not PC, but it's the truth.

Fred - So.SF


On Dec 15, 2008, at 10:12 AM, nmleeds at mindspring.com wrote:

> 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)