This maybe obvious to some, but from an environmental perspective please
avoid degreasing/cleaning your engine curbside.  Runoff from this operation
in most places (especially coastal towns) flows untreated into the storm
drain and then out into the ocean, which is really a bummer for ocean water
quality and the wildlife and humans that depend on it.

Coin-op car washes drain into municipal water treatment systems and thus
represent an ethical and environmental advantage that makes the cost
(measured in mere coinage) well worth it.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Mike Pedersen
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 10:32 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: engine cleaning do's and don'ts?

Matt,

FWIW, I cleaned my engine recently (after similar deliberation) and was
successful.  I used a citrus based cleaner that seemed to work very well.  I
also used a parts cleaner brush and a toothbrush.  I would hesitate using
high pressure spray in there since the electrical connectors have minimal
waterproofing (even when new) and it'll splash all over your interior.  I
used saranwrap for parts that I didn't want to get wet.  I had access to a
driveway and a water hose, however.

Regards,

Mike Pedersen
'88 Westy GL Automatic
Powell River, BC

Hi folks,
    With a bunch of jobs coming up (water pump, engine hoses, coolant swap,
tranny fluid swap, CV re grease...) I was thinking now would be a good time
to clean/ degrease the engine bay and tranny. Been to the archives, comments
are mixed- "no water!" "don't do it!" "Hi-pressure water" " compressed air"
etc.
    I have some constraints: city dweller, no driveway, no access to
curbside running water. If I go to a coin-op wash, I figure I'll be
disconnecting the battery, and bagging the alternator, distributor, and
ignition coil. I'll bring some WD-40 to dry out connectors afterwards.
    Any angles on smart procedures and products would be much welcomed,
along with warnings, admonitions, etc.

Thanks,

Matt Sutton
88 GL 170k
Brooklyn NY