power cleaning my boats engine

Aman

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Messages
7
I have a 1997 seaswirl, 2150 4.3GL I/O engine. I just bought the boat late year.
The motor is dirty with oil, grime from the belts, and other debris. I want to apply gunk and a low pressure powerwashing to restore the engine. Can anybody offer some advice?

Thanks,
Aman
 

erikgreen

Captain
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
3,105
Re: power cleaning my boats engine

Yeah, don't powerwash.

The water pressure can and will push water and debris into places you don't want it to go (I've tried it, believe me).

The only "safe" way to power wash is to first remove bolt-ons with holes for air and/or plug all holes with tape sticky enough to resist washing off, then avoid hitting the tape. So that's a LOT of tape.

Best way to wash the engine: Use a foaming engine degreaser or better yet Simple Green in undiluted form. Let it sit to work for a bit, then gently hose down the engine from the top. Repeat as needed.

Once it's clean, then dry it in bright hot sunshine or else put a fan on it... don't let any water sit on the engine long enough to corrode anything.

Last step when it looks dry - check your filters and carb to make sure you haven't got water sitting somewhere.

Erik
 

Aman

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Messages
7
Re: power cleaning my boats engine

Thank you! I appreciate the advice.

Best Wishes,
Aman
 
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