Need to clean away many years of grime. Want to take some time and do it properly (keeping engine in situ!) What's the best cleaner along with elbow grease? Alkaline cleaner, fairy liquid, car wash, spray, steam etc etc

Thank you

 

I have a neighbor who has a detailing business pulling around a trailer with a huge tank of water and some chemicals such as degreasers, and a pressure machine.

I have a 1983 XJ-6 4.2 engine mounted on a engine stand which I am going to fit in my 1965 S type and I asked him to come and see it to clean it.

he told me Steam pressure would be best, along with kerosene to remove the crusty grime, then high pressure hot water with degreaser to remove the kerosene odor and remaining residues.

Kerosene and steam is used at truck stops and motorcoach service bays to clean big rig engines and heavy machinery.

so that's my next job with the engine. I am preparing it for cleaning by removing all ancillaries and peripherals leaving only the block and head to be pressure cleaned.

remaining to do is to plug all intake and exhaust openings. Everything else is already plugged to prevent any water entry.

Since your engine is in place, your approach will be different and you need a lot more precaution with any electronics.

go to youtube.com and search "chris fix", he shows how to clean the engine bay thoroughly.

here's a link to his video:
​https://youtu.be/PRSoRkM8GcM​​​​​​

 

I used this and it works great. Just spray once with water, then spray this stuff, let it work in for a while and rinse off...