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01-08-2019, 12:52 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Acworth GA
Posts: 8
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird Bus Co.
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
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Cleaning the engine
Does anyone have tips, advice, or helpful hints on cleaning a rear engine diesel engine?
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01-08-2019, 02:11 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
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When I was in the Army, we used dry cleaning solvent in a hand pump to keep the engines clean. Now, I believe the EPA would have something to say about that. So, you might want to use a pressure washer with Dawn detergent.
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01-08-2019, 02:26 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,404
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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In the past I have pressure washed many engines with to more trouble than occasionally getting water in the distributer and having to dry it out.
With today's electronics I have become reluctant to use a pressure washer on an engine.
Over on Autogeek.net there is an engine detailing stickie. That could give you some good info.
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01-08-2019, 03:07 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
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You might also want to try oven cleaner.
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01-08-2019, 04:13 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 335
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Corbeil
Chassis: Ford
Engine: Ford PowerStroke Diesel 6.0
Rated Cap: GVWR 11,500
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How about something like this?
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01-08-2019, 06:12 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,245
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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The problem with "this" is your bus will smell like mechanics musk for weeks after you're done
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01-08-2019, 06:32 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,830
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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I've cleaned a couple engines with this stuff-

I don't go nuts with it. And I use a steam cleaner on low pressure.
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01-08-2019, 07:49 PM
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#8
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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Steam. It's what the big boys use. And about as "environmentally friendly" as you can be when dumping caked on grease, oil, diesel fuel, trans & brake fluid onto the Earth.
Hey...at least no harsh chemicals.
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01-08-2019, 11:55 PM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 993
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: CS RE
Engine: ISC 8.3 L 260 hp
Rated Cap: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
I've cleaned a couple engines with this stuff-

I don't go nuts with it. And I use a steam cleaner on low pressure.
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+1 on steam if you can find one to use. A hot pressure washer with a delicate nozzle would be ok. You do not want to blast seals and gaskets with high pressure water.
Ted
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01-09-2019, 07:12 AM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 20,046
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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steam is best... use a garden sprayer and spray everything down with a dawn / water mix.. fairly heavy on the dawn... the hit it with the steam.. keep in mind, steam has a way of getting into electronics if you arent careful so try not to spray the computer if its located on the side of your engine.. I like to start with a warm but not Hot engine..
most truck washes have the capability of steam wands..
power washing tends to get water in places it doesnt belong like the air intake, oil, and or electronics..
-Christopher
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01-09-2019, 07:26 AM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
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I like a de-greaser in combination with engine heat and steam heat.
The de-greaser you can work into tight areas via spray and then use a brush to loosen crud up even more.
Then steam it from top to bottom.
An industrial steamer would be ideal but many household ones can reach those tighter places as well.
John
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