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can i clean engine with a standard engine degreaser?

#1

L

lawnnoob

clean engine? and buying supplies help

just got a CUB CADET 2146 14hp 38"DK Hydro SERIES 2000 TRACTOR from a family member.. and looking to get this tractor in great running condition..

form what i can tell everything works well - but the oil and air filter do need a change.. and the 2 front tires need to be replaced

my question is - the engine itself has geese and gunk all over it - can i use as standard engine cleaner (Engine Degreaser) from the auto parts store on this engine??


#2

RobertBrown

RobertBrown

lawnnoob said:
just got a CUB CADET 2146 14hp 38"DK Hydro SERIES 2000 TRACTOR from a family member.. and looking to get this tractor in great running condition..

form what i can tell everything works well - but the oil and air filter do need a change.. and the 2 front tires need to be replaced

my question is - the engine itself has geese and gunk all over it - can i use as standard engine cleaner (Engine Degreaser) from the auto parts store on this engine??
Click to expand...
Yes just follow the directions on the can and try to avoid getting it in the engine. Most of those require a rinse with water. I would guess this is probably more risky than the degreaser. Be careful with the hose.


#3

L

lawnnoob

thanks - i might not use water and just wipe it down with an old towel or something...

also i am having the hardest time finding a local store that has any regular maintenance parts for this mower..

Tried, lowes, home depot, tractor supply - and get nothing!

cub cadet website wants to charge me $90 just for the basics supplies
air fliter
oil filter
spark plug
etc..

is there another online retailer that has better pricing!?


#4

RobertBrown

RobertBrown

cub cadet website wants to charge me $90 just for the basics supplies air fliter oil filter spark plug etc.. is there another online retailer that has better pricing!?[/QUOTE said:
I don't have a cub so i don't buy cub parts and don't have first hand info. I typically get part numbers and then head to Amazon.com. I haven't been dissapointed so you may want to try that.
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#5

J

jeff

try jackssmallengine.com


#6

CajunCub

CajunCub

lawnnoob, Sure it is ok to use a cleaner, something like PurplePower(it's a little hard on painted surfaces) or OrangePower is pretty good, SimpleGreen is good too. I have used them all. Do you have a blower? If so, just wash away. Then blow it dry really good before you start it up. Don't get the air filter element too wet...you could even take it out first and just stuff a rag in the carb./filter intake before you start. Water won't hurt anything...Go for it!


#7

I

Ironroad38

Yea the cans of engine degreaser at the parts store are pretty useless. I have never had one that cleaned worth a darn. For heavy grease , try and scraping the heaviest stuff off first and then use a stiff brush with some purple stuff or simplegreen, Be sure to wear gloves cause the purple stuff will tear your hands up. It was originally formulated to remove bugs off chrome big rig bumpers, It beast at the protein in whatever it touches. and is every alkaline but works damn good on grease with a heavy scrub brush..


#8

twall

twall

I use Dawn for that kinda stuff. It cuts grease great......I make a mix about twice as strong as you'd use for dishes.

Again, though, is the rinsing issue......careful of the electricals. They wreck pretty quick when wet.


#9

F

fastback

I use regular car wash detergent on my tractor including the engine, but I do this on a regular basis so ther is not too much build up. I use mothers intreror cleaner for the dash, battery and seat. As for parts such as filters and plugs I go to my local parts store. Its not a Auto Zone, but one where they can still use books if they neeed to. It helps if you have old part numbers as well as engine model and type. Tires you can try a tractor supply they also have belts and blades and the other nice thing about them is they are located all over the place. In their catalog they indicate they have access to over 10,000 belts. Oh, they also have tractor paint and match up colors. Hope this helps.


#10

I

indypower

Castrol SuperClean is the best stuff out there.


#11

Papa Tango

Papa Tango

Any good cleaner-degreaser should work well. Be cautious when using a strong alkaline cleaner (Purple Power, etc.) and make sure to rinse it off of aluminum parts promptly. If left on too long it can cause damage to aluminum and painted surfaces. A clean engine will be easier to work on and I believe it'll run cooler. Good luck and good mowing.


#12

J

jross

lawnnoob said:
thanks - i might not use water and just wipe it down with an old towel or something...

also i am having the hardest time finding a local store that has any regular maintenance parts for this mower..

Tried, lowes, home depot, tractor supply - and get nothing!

cub cadet website wants to charge me $90 just for the basics supplies
air fliter
oil filter
spark plug
etc..

is there another online retailer that has better pricing!?
Click to expand...

Just search Cub Cadet parts on the net and you find many places that offer parts. Include your model number when searching to narrow it down. Agri-Supply carries a good number of basic parts, especially blades.


#13

W

wildbill

My favorite is Simple Green full strength. I use a spray bottle on the entire engine, won't hurt a thing. Just make sure the motor is cool and let 'er rip. Let it sit for 15 minutes and hose it off. You may have to hit it twice but you will be amazed at the results. Let it set in the sun for a couple hours to dry.

I do this to every mower before I work on them, makes life cleaner and easier.

For a touch of class, instead of waxing a dull finish and spend hours trying to make it look good.... just take an old terrycloth wash cloth and apply a very thin coat of motor oil, thats right, motor oil. Take another cloth towel to wipe off any oil. The finish will look like new and will not fade. Customers are very impresses, some even thought I might have painted their mower.


#14

jmurray01

jmurray01

Re: clean engine? and buying supplies help

lawnnoob said:
just got a CUB CADET 2146 14hp 38"DK Hydro SERIES 2000 TRACTOR from a family member.. and looking to get this tractor in great running condition..

form what i can tell everything works well - but the oil and air filter do need a change.. and the 2 front tires need to be replaced

my question is - the engine itself has geese and gunk all over it - can i use as standard engine cleaner (Engine Degreaser) from the auto parts store on this engine??
Click to expand...
It is "grease"... Sorry, had to point that out :laughing:


#15

R

robert

ditto full strength Simple Green, just avoid using the citrus formula, or any citris formula cleaner-I find it really attacks plastics.

By the way, a slightly diluted Simple Green makes a great hand cleaner(mis use?)-not as good as De-Solv-It, but not far behind.


#16

W

wildbill

I went to an auto parts store, NAPA, and tried some Purple Power cleaner. Its 1/3 the cost of Simple Green....... and I swear it does a better job.


#17

B

Black Bart

I clean my engine every couple years I like to keep it nice and clean.
While any APC will work I use a product made by Gunk called ENGINE BRIGHT
it is for aluminum engines and it makes the aluminum look like new.

Can be found at Wal Mart or any auto parts store in aerosol can.

I use full force from the hose and have never had a problem but I use a leaf blower and dry it good before starting.


#18

P

Poneykeg

Purple power is what I use - they make Castrol- cheaper by the gal and use a used sprayer bottle. I have a 3225-1400hrs. and a 1863- 2400hrs and that solution and water will work fine. I don`t remove the air cleaner the cover willwon`t let water to it. I spray all parts and electrical and battery and never had a problem related to using water and Purple power. But it is hard on paint!!!!


#19

M

max mariner

I would say that it really depends on your model and which degreaser you are using , I recommend you to use spray degreaser because its very easy to use and it very reliable , works best , easy to clean . does not harm your engine
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RX Marine was established in 1996 in Mumbai, India; as chemical manufacturing company catering exclusively to the needs of the marine industry. In a short span of 12 years the company has established itself as one of the leading wholesale suppliers of a wide range of chemicals for - Marine industry internationally - and other local industires and plants. Our client list bears testimony to this. The RXSOL policy has its foundations on two pillars of strength - a continuous investment in research and development to deliver premium quality products and a commitment to service.

-------------------
Degreaser


#20

cpurvis

cpurvis

Lazarus thread. Prior to today, last post was 8/31/2011.


#21

S

SeniorCitizen

cpurvis said:
Lazarus thread. Prior to today, last post was 8/31/2011.
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What's that a sign of? This web site is a thread hoarder.


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