Detailing My Engine

Cherry · Jan 11, 2012

I really want to clean the engine in my van. For someone who claimed to be a "master mechanic" the previous owner did not take very good care of the engine it seems. The thing is a nasty oily mess. I have a couple of reservations though. I'm concerned about causing more damage by cleaning the thing and have no clue how to go about it. Yes, I googled detailing an engine but since my engine is both inside and outside of the van I'm left a little perplexed. It looks like there is/ was significant oil leakage in the spots I marked on the attached picture as well as on the undercarriage. What are the pros and cons of cleaning all of this off? Will I cause more damage to what I assume is already dry/ damaged gaskets and seals? Will cleaning help me determine if I need to replace gaskets/ seals? <img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6679042471_35621387b5_m.jpg">

ped · Jan 11, 2012

It's a Ford. They're always an oily mess. You can spray it down but it will come back in time. They used cheap cork gaskets on the valve cover and they're well known to leak. If it's fuel injected it's especially a PITA to change them too. The entire intake has to come off.

stude53 · Jan 11, 2012

Cherry, the place below advertises online ... engine shampooing for $35 dollars if you bring it to their shop. You might want to call them. If you decide to use them, or do it yourself at a self-service carwash, Seal the inside engine cover with something like duct tape to keep water and dirt out of your interior ... before you open the hood and spray degreaser. Good luck,Bob<table style="width: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in;" class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 29.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="padding: 0in; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); width: 223.25pt; height: 29.5pt; background-color: transparent;" width="447"> EMPIRE AUTO DETAILERS 410-671-9237 1009D Edgewood Road Edgewood, MD 21040 </td> <td style="padding: 0in; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); width: 244.75pt; height: 29.5pt; background-color: transparent;" width="490"></td> </tr></tbody></table>

Cherry · Jan 11, 2012

ped said:
It's a Ford. They're always an oily mess. You can spray it down but it will come back in time. They used cheap cork gaskets on the valve cover and they're well known to leak. If it's fuel injected it's especially a PITA to change them too. The entire intake has to come off.

Mine isn't fuel injected but someone said something to me about it having aluminum cover thingies which tend to move more when heated or some such shiznit..

Cherry · Jan 11, 2012

stude53 said:
Cherry, the place below advertises online ... engine shampooing for $35 dollars if you bring it to their shop. You might want to call them. If you decide to use them, or do it yourself at a self-service carwash, Seal the inside engine cover with something like duct tape to keep water and dirt out of your interior ... before you open the hood and spray degreaser. Good luck,Bob <table style="width: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in;" class="MsoNormalTable" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="height: 29.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); width: 223.25pt; height: 29.5pt; background-color: transparent;" width="447"> EMPIRE AUTO DETAILERS 410-671-9237 1009D Edgewood Road Edgewood, MD 21040 </td><td style="padding: 0in; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); width: 244.75pt; height: 29.5pt; background-color: transparent;" width="490"></td></tr></tbody></table>

Awesome, Bob, thanks! I'll definitely give them a shout. They aren't too far from me.

karl · Jan 11, 2012

Been a long time since I wrenched a ford....but it probably wouldn't hurt to try tightening the valve cover bolts a bit, just don't get all carried away and bend the covers making it worse. o'coarse the right answer is replace the gaskets, maybe even coat the new ones with non hardening silicone gasket maker.(Permatex)

Guest · Jan 14, 2012

Clean engine with Simple Green. Spray on full strength, wait a minute, spray off. Non-flammable and biodegradable. Works as well as Gunk. Replace valve cover gaskets with Fel-Pro rubber/silicone gaskets and be done with it.

johnny_canuck · Jan 14, 2012

I have 2004 Dodge Dakota and had it at the dealer to install a new water pump this summer. I asked about them cleaning the engine. Used car engines look so nice on the lot. The service manager told me he would not recommend it. He said it can cause problems with the sensors and wiring.

Cherry · Jan 14, 2012

Thanks for the info - I've decided to let it be since I've developed more pressing issues.

ped · Jan 14, 2012

uh oh....

Detailing My Engine

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