Re: Engine Cleaning

[e6941tb@gnn.com]

Audi200TQ@aol.com wrote:
> 
> I plan on cleaning the engine (200 Quattro) on Monday.  It has become sooooo
> dirty between the the oil leak, the hydrolic leak, and roadsalt.  Does anyone
> have any advice that could help me.  Last time I cleaned the engine, it
> looked great, but I ended up with a few electrical issues.  I was told to NOT
> use a steam cleaner or a chemical cleaner, but instead to use a citrus based
> solvent.  This would make sense, however, I need more details and maybe a few
> suggestions.  Also is there a product to use afterwards along the lines of
> Armor All to make the engine nice and shiny........
> 
> ........or should I just let it be, and not clean it?

I do it every spring on all of my cars. The engine not only looks
better, but also runs cooler.
I used both approaches and have settled on a steam cleaning a long time
ago. Wimpy citrus stuff will not get rid of the accumulated grease and
you can forget about cleaning up old Pentosin mess with it.
If you decide on a pressure cleaner: BE VERY CAREFULL(!)with the
pressure and stream pattern settings, especially with the radiator,
intercooler and A/C condenser jackets. I use an industrial duty steam
cleaner, that we have in the Maintenance shop at work. At full blast SOB
drills holes in a 2x4!

With either method wrap your distributor and coil in plastic bags really
well. If you do it, you'll be able to start the car right ufter the
engine wash. Worse comes to worse, pull the cap off the distributor and
blow it dry with the compressed air. 
Don't worry about the rest of the engine electricals.

Igor Kessel
'89 200TQ