02 Outback LE. 183,000km's. Bought it last summer. The hg was leaking oil not coolant so had it replaced. The engine is really dirty, especially near the back where the leak was. The yellow top for auto tanny dipstick is black, covered in sludge. I am thinking of getting an engine shampoo. I have been reading that it is one thing that you should leave to the professionals as it is easy to screw it up. Any thouhgts?

 

Thanks

I spray mine with simple green, let it sit a bit, and hose it off. Make sure it doesnt get into spark plug holes and cover the coils. Dont use super high pressure. It works pretty well for me but I would do it on a sunny day so you can leave the hood up and let it dry off completely.

 

Of course, I do this on 20 year old subies not 02 models.

I've washed the EJ engines of all of my Subarus at a self-service car wash with a high-pressure spray. I take no special precautions and I've never had a water-related problem at all. Just don't spray high pressure water on aluminum cooling fins (AC evaporator, turbo intercooler) at close range, and don't spray any soft sound insulation. In those cases, the pressure can do some damage.

 

BTW Simple Green isn't really very "green." A citrus-based solvent may be better and more effective.

Simple Green is also corrosive to aluminum...

I've always used engine degreaser. $2 at kmart

Used to run my own dealership. We would throw dish towels over the plugs to make sure they plugs and wires didn't fry. Otherwise, have at it.

i like gunk engine cleaner, the gel type is the best , it doesn't run off. The only spot I am really careful with is the alternator( solvents can get into the sealed bearings).Old plug wires get dry porous and can soak up solvent and water( causing missing).

Simple Green is also corrosive to aluminum...

 

The amount of time you leave it on isnt going to eat through anything. maybe if you have polished parts underhood but I haven't ever noticed any damage.

I am thinking of getting an engine shampoo. I have been reading that it is one thing that you should leave to the professionals as it is easy to screw it up. Any thouhgts?

 

Thanks

 

The only difference between doing it yourself and a professional is a professional gets paid to do the same thing you can do yourself

Although if you "steam clean" the engine isnt that something different? Does this really exist or is this a marketing term

steam clean is just high temp high pressure soapy water.

We had a steam jenny at work and it was quite a big unit that ran water through coils that were super heated. What came out the wand was definately steam, that did condense into water once it hit cold surfaces. We used it to melt ice on dams.

Simple "Simple Green" is a big no-no with aluminum parts. There is no way to make sure you remove the stuff 100%, and where there's some left you will have *really* bad corrosion. Ask me how I know

 

BUT... there's a version of Simple Green that is sold as being "aluminum friendly"

The only difference between doing it yourself and a professional is a professional gets paid to do the same thing you can do yourself

 

Like this.

 

O.