How to clean engine and bilge?

diggin2day1diggin2day1 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭✭
in Engine Discussions
     Just wondering what products and how everyone cleans their engines and bilges? When I purchased my boat 2 years ago the bilge/engine was spotless and now she's getting a little grimy. Can I use a regular degreaser/engine cleaner and then rinse off with water? What else (other than the intake) do I need to protect from the rinsing water? After cleaning should I protect it with anything(WD40, etc ?) 
     Also what products should I use to clean bilge area, water/waste tanks, vent hoses, etc? 

Need her her to look like this once again: 

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Comments

  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't power wash the engine. I use a citrus based cleaner. 

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • randy56randy56 Posts: 4,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
    diggin, I use purple power, lots of rags, easy on squiring eng, looks good. 
    Boat Name : 

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  • bry1429bry1429 Posts: 371 ✭✭✭
    It's good practice to keep a healthy clean engine compartment.  If you can access engine/bilge area without snapping your spine in 3 pieces you should wipe it down every 2 or 3 weeks. All smells from bilge/engine areas will stink up the cabin space so it's good to keep it clean and dry. I use simple green or a good smelling citrus cleaner.
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  • diggin2day1diggin2day1 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭✭
    Thank you guys... Going to give Purple Power a try. 
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Posts: 7,936 mod
    Yes, purple power is what I use as well.  Great stuff for the engine room.  How did you make out Diggin?

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • diggin2day1diggin2day1 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭✭
    Dream_Inn said:
    Yes, purple power is what I use as well.  Great stuff for the engine room.  How did you make out Diggin?
    I was too busy burning fuel and having fun this weekend to clean the engine room!!! I'll tackle it sometime this week and report back with results. Thank you again!
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  • youstolemybeeryoustolemybeer Posts: 246 ✭✭✭
    dump 2 bags of ice in the bilge and go for a ride. when the ice melts pump out the water and gunk that the ice scraped off as you drove
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  • diggin2day1diggin2day1 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭✭
    youstolemybeer said:
    dump 2 bags of ice in the bilge and go for a ride. when the ice melts pump out the water and gunk that the ice scraped off as you drove
    That's how I used to clean the waste tank of my camper... Worked like a champ!
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  • diggin2day1diggin2day1 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭✭
    Still haven't gotten around to cleaning the engine/bilge, but I did just buy 2 gallons of Purple Power from Walmart for $4.88 each... Was surprised at how cheap yet highly recommended it was. 
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Posts: 7,936 mod
    Diggin, just don't let them know it's used for marine use.  Price will skyrocket! :)

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • MDboaterMDboater Posts: 298 ✭✭✭
    I used Purple Power in the bilge area this past weekend.  It worked quite well.  Let me suggest however that you wait for a day that's cooler than 93 F.
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  • Mercury2005Mercury2005 Posts: 141 ✭✭
    Is using a pressure washer not recommended to clean the bilge? If not, why? Also would simple green work?
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  • Danish_FV270Danish_FV270 Posts: 20 ✭✭
    I use at hot water pressure washer with a steam nozzle. Then har do´nt get that much water in the bilge and the high temperatur removes all the dirt.
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like the idea of using ice and purple power. I will have to try it this spring.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Why are these motors so dirty?
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  • diggin2day1diggin2day1 Posts: 1,331 ✭✭✭✭
    The Purple Power worked excellent... and was cheap too!!!
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  • rasburyrasbury Posts: 8,955 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks alot better dirty than mine does but I learned on an old Z I had, do not spray down a motor...and you can't really get in there and wipe anything on either...wish there was a good way to clean it...I guess you can spray down and rinse off the lower part of the motor, starter is fairly sealed up but ones you start getting the injectors wet and the other electrical stuff I think your asking for big problems...
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  • laureniac1laureniac1 Posts: 257 ✭✭✭
    I use foamy engine bright and spay it off with hose LIGHT water and never have had any issues. Wal mart or any part store carries Foamy Engine Bright 
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  • rasburyrasbury Posts: 8,955 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would like to clean it up, very dirty/ dusty...
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