Best way to clean engine?

[Arfdog]

Normally when I clean somewhere that's really dirty, like under the sprocket cover (inch-thick layer of tar-like, oily gunk) I remove what I can by scraping out with a sheet of bounty, then wipe the metal clean with bounty and WD40 (which seems to dissolve thick oil somewat).

Are there any easier, more effective methods? I've heard of steam-cleaning, but I don't even know what this entails..
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I'm a lover, not a fighter.

[Jamie S]

Steam cleaning ( I know from experiance ) takes the paint off.
Just use Flash kitchen degreaser, It works wonders getting all that sort of crap of you bike and the engine.
It is safe to use every were on you bike.
hope this helps you.
jamie stokes

[Blau Zedong]

Jizer. Work it in with an old paintbrush, leave it 20 minutes then rinse / blast off.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Jamie S]

You say blast, meening ? jet wash steam cleaner, or just the hose pipe ?
cheers
jamie

[stinkwheel]

Gunk the bugger.
https://im.edirectory.co.uk/products/225/i/gunkbrushon.jpg

Rub the gunk into all the crappy bits with an old paintbrush, leave it to sit for a few minutes then hose it down. This should remove the vast majority of the crap. Get a can, not an aerosol.

Paraffin works ok too. Same technique but use soapy water.

Remember, gunk lifts tarmac so don't do it on a tarred driveway.

[Arfdog]

Is blasting with a hose a good idea in a place like under a sprocket cover where there are oil seals and so on exposed?
____________________
I'm a lover, not a fighter.

[Jamie S]

Yer its ok, but it wouldant be if you were doing it every day

[map]

Agree with the use of Gunk to clean up an engine
Best applied to a warm engine.
However, don't go overboad with the water washing it off (or cover electric bits in cling film first).

For finishing off and other bits (bodywork, seat, etc) then brake cleaner is the stuff to use

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Jamie S]

Can i just ask what is this Gunk stuff ?

[stinkwheel]

[matt1981]

Definately gunk it!! It comes in an orange can you can get a spray version or as a liquid, you can get it from halfords.

[Vincent]

I swore by Gunk for years but recently I've been using Muc-Off. It's a fair bit cheaper than Gunk, (Busters usualy do a 2 for 1 deal), and copes with most oil etc quite well. I still keep a tin of Gunk in reserve for those extra stubborn stains tho.

[Pete.]

I got some muc-off and I thought it was rubbish. Gunk is good as is paraffin, both will make your clothes stink even after washing. Petrol works very well but it's dangerously flammable, toxic, carcinogenic, bad for your skin, bad for the environment and bloody expensive.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[owdamer]

Be careful if you use gunk foam, it stains your tyres brown & makes screens look like they've steamed up.

[cagiva gezzer]

https://www.yourcarparts.co.uk/trolleyed/images/products/mac100accec001.jpg

https://www.whitedogbikes.com/ccp51/media/images/product_category/Autoglym_Bike_Degreaser_sm.jpg

Can dull the finish though. Only use it for really bad stuff, as the MC cleaner is for general use.
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[stinkwheel]

[owdamer]

[goatrider]

I have always used Gunk - does the job very well.

Definatley get the gunk in a can and not in the aerosol spray.

As said above - brush it on, working it into any stubborn areas (warm engine is best for sure) - go have a cup of tea - come back and hose it off with a normal garden hose with a "jet" style spray head on it.

I would not recommend using a pressure washer on any part of a bike - the huge pressures involved can blast paint off and can seriously bugger your bearings if they get a direct blast (steering head, swingarm linkages, wheels etc etc).

And yep - gunk stinks so be prepared for the missus to give u loads of grief come laundry day .

When you buy the can of gunk grab a tub of swarfega or similar to clean your hands or they will smell of gunk for days after (or wear some rubber gloves whilst using the gunk).

Pop into your local B+Q and grab a paint brush for painting the back of radiators (long handle - brush head at an angle) - excellent for getting under the engine and in some of those really hard to reach spots.

Have fun cleaning - a clean bike is a happy bike (unless its my GS5 and then its never bloody happy - ).

Cheers,
Goat.
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Honda NS125R 1987, Suzuki GS500EW 1998, Honda CB750F2N RC42 1992
"I dont give a shit who your dad is......quit walking on the water while I'm fishing......."