3.0 Duramax Engine Bay Cleaner

Chrisd534 · March 2, 2022

Hey all,

I was planning on washing the engine bay of my truck but wanted some Input first so I don't cause damage. Has anyone cleaned their 3.0 duramax engine bays and if so what product did you go with? What did you cover up to protect if anything or did you just giver?

Thanks!

KARNUT · March 2, 2022

The last time I cleaned an engine was in 2001. I used to do it routinely. My check engine light came on it started missing scared the sh$t out of me. I sprayed wd40 all over and in 2 days it cleared up. On my toys since I dry wipe with armor all type stuff and that’s it. If you do it often it will do the trick. My main rides since they can get dirty.

seamus2154 · March 3, 2022

I use a spray degreaser, like purple power. I wet the whole area with a light spray from hose just to get wet. No full blast. Then spray on degreaser. I set up a wash bucket with long brushes, some soft and a Mit. Its mostly just dirt and dust there is no big cleaning here. But for some reason on the 3.0 or 2019 plus design, the engine bay gets dirty much more than usual. I used to clean the engine 1-2 times a year. This truck needs it more often. After I clean under hood, along edges of the fenders, and all plastic on motor I give a light easy spray just to rinse. No injecting water anywhere. Then I get compressed air or my leaf blower whichever is easier and blow out all the crevices and dry the motor. Then start up, let idel and heat up. I also use a spray detailer from Meguires, specific to plastic and rubber makes it look showroom new. Everything is weatherproof, but no need to test it, dont blast it with the hose.

Dirk13 · March 3, 2022

9 hours ago, seamus2154 said:

I use a spray degreaser, like purple power. I wet the whole area with a light spray from hose just to get wet. No full blast. Then spray on degreaser. I set up a wash bucket with long brushes, some soft and a Mit. Its mostly just dirt and dust there is no big cleaning here. But for some reason on the 3.0 or 2019 plus design, the engine bay gets dirty much more than usual. I used to clean the engine 1-2 times a year. This truck needs it more often. After I clean under hood, along edges of the fenders, and all plastic on motor I give a light easy spray just to rinse. No injecting water anywhere. Then I get compressed air or my leaf blower whichever is easier and blow out all the crevices and dry the motor. Then start up, let idel and heat up. I also use a spray detailer from Meguires, specific to plastic and rubber makes it look showroom new. Everything is weatherproof, but no need to test it, dont blast it with the hose.

Purple power is corrosive to aluminum… I hope you don’t actually use that. I made that mistake many years ago. Everything aluminum piece under the hood of that truck looked like it had been laying outside for years.

Simple green “aircraft and precision cleaner” is much safer.

seamus2154 · March 3, 2022

3 hours ago, Dirk13 said:

Purple power is corrosive to aluminum… I hope you don’t actually use that. I made that mistake many years ago. Everything aluminum piece under the hood of that truck looked like it had been laying outside for years.

Simple green “aircraft and precision cleaner” is much safer.

I understand, and it may be so if left on. Also thats why I said to spray water on everything first as it dilutes such a strong cleaner. I do alot of detailing for many years and use alot of products. My main go to if an engine it heavily dirty is dawn dish detergent and a brush, but for a quick light clean under the hood I use a spray cleaner degreaser as most everything your cleaning is plastic and paint. Also I am talking a cool, or cold motor. Only leave on for seconds, agitate and rinse. These motors arent leaking or seeping like 30 yrs ago. The worst staining thing I have ever used on actual aluminum was Simple green. It immediately stains smooth raw aluminum. Well known to detailers never to use it. I will assume thats why they now have "aircraft and precision"cleaner now. I have never seen or used it. Any mild soap will work or normal spray as it only on there less than a minute. If and when I do my special cars with polished aluminum and expensive parts that is an whole other ball game. Alot can go wrong there. For my cast aluminum truck motor covered in plastic, I am just doing a quick clean of all the dust and dirt to keep my OCD in check. If I see that aircraft version of simple Green I'll give it a try.

Edited March 3, 2022 by seamus2154

z28tranz · March 3, 2022

I use Adam's APC and my pressure washer on all my vehicles engine bays. I usually only have to clean up the engine bay every couple months. It is simple to spray and let it sit for 30 seconds use the same style brush that I use from my wheel face to scrub the areas down. I dry the engine off with a air blower then I mist it down with a diluted VRT from Adam's.