Learn me in Engine Degreasing

[ProZach]

All right, so my bronco desperately needs an engine cleaning/degreasing and I really want to do it myself but I've heard so many horror stories of it going badly or problems that arise from people doing it themselves.
Is this something I can do by myself or should it be left to detailing pros?
ANY tips that are helpful would be greatly appreciated as I prefer to spend my money on new toys for the truck, not hiring someone to clean it.

I'll show you some pictures tomorrow but you wouldn't believe how bad it looks.

 

[OldCracker29]

Take your pick. There are 100 of them on you tube.

[YT]8VXIYTdh1Ps[/YT]

 

[Carolinaboy]

All right, so my bronco desperately needs an engine cleaning/degreasing and I really want to do it myself but I've heard so many horror stories of it going badly or problems that arise from people doing it themselves.
Is this something I can do by myself or should it be left to detailing pros?
ANY tips that are helpful would be greatly appreciated as I prefer to spend my money on new toys for the truck, not hiring someone to clean it.

I'll show you some pictures tomorrow but you wouldn't believe how bad it looks.

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21295



Here's my write up on how to clean an engine bay

 

[Sunset_Z28]

All right, so my bronco desperately needs an engine cleaning/degreasing and I really want to do it myself but I've heard so many horror stories of it going badly or problems that arise from people doing it themselves.
Is this something I can do by myself or should it be left to detailing pros?
ANY tips that are helpful would be greatly appreciated as I prefer to spend my money on new toys for the truck, not hiring someone to clean it.

I'll show you some pictures tomorrow but you wouldn't believe how bad it looks.

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21295



Here's my write up on how to clean an engine bay

Fixed.

 

[Carolinaboy]

Thanks, I'z haz proplam wid spalling

 

[RedRider]

I wrap all my electronics and air filter, and use simple green. Let is soak for a few minutes on an engine that's slightly warmed up. Use just enough water to get the water off and dry with a leaf blower. After I wash and dry the car/truck, I'll detail the engine bay with the rest of the vehicle.

I use concentrated Simple Green and mix it pretty strong so I don't have to repeat myself.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I recently replaced a water pump on my sister in law's Toyota pickup. The engine was so nasty that I had to degrease it before I could work on it. It was so filthy that I could physically scoop up the oily/muddy shit that encased the engine. The shit was so thick that I had to remove it so I could find all the bolt heads. I started by using a can of Gunk engine degreaser, which is a waste of time and money. DO NOT USE IT! I followed that with Purple Power engine cleaner and driveway degreaser. It works great, but be careful with it on your skin. Its very caustic. Use rubber gloves.
Also, tightly wrap electric stuff like the alternator and ignition coils with plastic and foil. I used plastic wrap AND aluminum foil. The foil helps hold it in place better too. And use a brush in as many areas as you can. Depending on how much crud is on there, it may take several cleanings. It took me three, not including the first one using the Gunk stuff that cleaned hardly anything off the engine.

 

[Zembonez]

I've always cleaned mine at the carwash. I just leave it running and spray the hell out of it. Never had a problem, but obviously anything with a distributor should be washed carefully around that area.

 

[Black02Silverado]

I've always cleaned mine at the carwash. I just leave it running and spray the hell out of it. Never had a problem, but obviously anything with a distributor should be washed carefully around that area.

Plus the car wash has a drain system to catch all the oil and crud.

 

[daddy]

Simple green and a garden hose with nozzle. Never wrapped anything, just sprayed top down.