Accidentally used a flammable degreaser on engine. Now what?

[atalarico]

Hey all!

So, I noticed a burning oil smell pretty bad the last month or so. I usually get a little bit of burning oil after I change my oil because there's a bit that will leak out of the oil filter.

Anyway, I was looking around and noticed there was some oil near the spark plug wire plunger seal. I figured that wasn't supposed to be there. Then I realized how gunked up my valve covers are, and figured I'd narrowed down the culprit.

I searched the forums and figured out I could just tighten the valve cover bolts a bit (not too tight though). Turns out they were pretty loose. I decided to clean all that built up oil and crud off of the valve covers and that it would probably cut down on the burning oil smell.

I used to wrench on bikes a lot, so I have become quite fond of Finish Line Speed Degreaser (Finish Line - Bicycle Lubricants and Care Products - Speed Bike Degreaser?). It pretty much just melts oil and grease away, so I figured it would be great on my engine.

I was limiting my spraying just to the valve covers, but it dripped down on to some other parts below it. I didn't use a lot, and I ended up just spraying shop towels and wiping most of it down because it was hard to angle the spray straw.

I pulled all my plungers and wiped the seal on the valve cover and the plunger down. I didn't use the speed degreaser on those though, just some elbow grease and shop towels.

As I was holding the bottle I noticed it says "EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE" and that I shouldn't be using it near sources of ignition. It was a pretty big face palm moment.

So, am I going to set my Runner on fire the next time I go to start it?

What can I do?

 

[hour]

I used a flammable degreaser. I sprayed all over the engine bay (minus the electrical parts I covered up) and blasted it from a distance with rinse mode at the car wash.

Smelled like degreaser inside for a day but no flames. I started it right after I finished rinsing it. I guess if you're really paranoid just *lightly* rinse the engine bay, covering up your alternator and any electrical components that look sensitive.

 

[shootmymime]

Hose it off. Don't worry about it but might want to switch to different stuff next time.

 

[atalarico]

Yeah, took it for a drive and it's smoking quite a bit, but no fire. Lesson learned. I'm slightly concerned about the amount of caked oil and dirt that's hanging around my valve covers. Makes me worried about the sludge potential. :crybaby:

 

[tyr0981]

that stuff usually evaporates relatively quickly too, buy a vehicle fire extinguisher (because it's just good idea to have one anyway!) and keep an eye out for smoke!

 

[Dous]

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Unless you go with one of the organic degreasers, they pretty much all say flammable.

I have used (and love) Gunk Engine Brite for years. It has a distinct smell (sort of a perfumed kerosene smell) but works very, very well.

If you are seeing smoking you didn't spray it off well enough but I have never heard of a degreaser actually starting on fire unless you throw a can of it in a bonfire. ;-)

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Simple green!! I love that stuff. We use it on the ship, just make sure you dilute it.

 

[atalarico]

Awesome! Thanks for the reassurance and recommendations all! My engine is pretty damn dirty, and I get so envious looking at some of the pristine shots of other users' engines here. I'm also a little concerned about sludge given what is caked on to my engine. It's pretty gnarly in there.

Is it standard for detailers to detail the engine too? Eventually I'm going to take it to get detailed, but I need a new limited drivers and passenger seat, and new flood lights to replace my busted stock ones first. I just wouldn't be able to fully appreciate a detailing if it still had those busted parts on it. =p

 

[TNRunner99]

I use Gunk Engine Brite too. You can spray it on and let it set for a few minutes, then rinse it off. If that doesn't work try using a brush to scrub the buildup after it sets on there for a few minutes.

 

[MadRunner]

Simple Green

Use Simple Green ( non toxic) rubber safe. Might have to do it a few time depend how dirty is the engine.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

If your engine compartment is really gnarly - I mean like never been cleaned before gnarly - you have two options that will really work IMO:

1) Get the engine hot. Wrap up your alternator, things like your MAP sensor, and spray it down with Gunk and then pressure wash it carefully avoiding areas you know will cause problems (electrical connections, intake, etc..). This is a fine art because if you get crazy or sloppy you will get water in the wrong places and then it's another post about how do I get my car started after power washing the motor. ;-)

2) Find a good detailer who specializes in engine compartment cleanup.

He may recommend steam and you might be surprised at how reasonable the cost is to have a pro do it. If my engine compartment was filthy and ugly, this is what I would do to get it back to maintainability. I live in Denver also and have some contacts if it will help.