I've never cleaned my engine. I'm a little nervous I'l cause damage. How have others gone about it or have you just left it alone?

 

Leave alone.

 

considering it's made of steel or aluminum, short of cleaning it with hydroflouric acid, i don't think that's something you need to worry about. btw, you're talking about cleaning the outside, not inside right?

Wet rag works for me. If you want to get fancy Griot's makes a specific product for it "Griot's Garage Engine Cleaner."

 

Yes i'm talking about the outside. So you don't use a pressure sprayer on it like on other cars?

 

use an aluminum safe degreaser, let it soak, and then spray using minimal water, avoiding electric components and alternator. or better yet cover sensitive bits. wipe down with rags. toothbrush detail areas. spray with protectant like 303. collect trophies.

 

Gunk

 

+1

I've used Gunk for 45 years, although I haven't cleaned the engine in my P-car yet (it doesn't need it).

With Gunk you simply spray it on, let it sit, and hose it off. I use my leaf blower to dry the engine compartment after I hose off the cleanser.

I would never use a high-pressure washer (car wash, for example) on the engine compartment. You don't want to force water into any electrical connections.

 

Go to the Detailing section of this forum and do a search. Lot's of great how to's on the subject with step by step instructions along with cleaning product suggestions. I posted the same queston sometime back and got a great deal of info.
As for Gunk, professional detailers suggest milder, equally effective products. Besides, the Gunk smell lasts a good long time after the engine cleaning and is not a particularly pleasant odor IMO.

 

To each is own. I just love the smell of Gunk. It takes my back to when I was 15 and had a Whizzer Motor bike. I hung out with the Flying Eagles and their Harley's. Dad was not a fan of the cycle boys so when I turned 16 he had no objections to me rebuilding a hopped up 51 Ford convert.