Best way to clean the outside of an engine covered in oil?
 

I have figured out that the smells I am getting after the engine gets warm after a long run are coming from small amounts of oil seeping from the valve covers/bolts.

What would be the best way to clean this all off?

Thanks

Fix leak, buy a gallon of super clean and a sprayer. Run a garden hose from your hot water tap behind your washing machine and rinse off

Like 4bus said fix leak then I like to use simple green with the hot water also.

I figured as much. I have some citrus degreaser ill hose it down with.

Thanks.

Only on a cool engine! I'm sure that's common knowledge but I found that out the hard way on my Cobra once. I should have read the can

Foam engine cleaner from Advance Auto

Gunk engine degreaser. It won't hurt polished aluminum, or anything else for that matter.

In '92 I found out the hard way that you do not degrease a '90 Corvette engine with Castrol Purple Stuff. Should have used Simple Green. I had funny colored valve covers afterwards. Damn magnesium!.

$5.00 worth of Quarters at the car wash with hot soapy water.

X3 on the Simple Green. The stuff works, and does not damage paint, coatings, or polished surfaces. Works well on interior vinyl as well if diluted, and I also keep a diluted spray bottle in the truck to help get the scum line off the hull when we are pulling out on the trailer.

I use eagle one "Wax as you dry" to clean the whole boat except for vinyl, but it works on the vinyl too in a pinch. If you haven't tried this stuff for scum line, or touch up after wet you have to try it. It even removes bird ****....no smears or streaks

Yup, Simple Green, won't ruin any surfaces, biodegradable and smells minty fresh!

oil eater works awesome. spray on, rinse off.

This Zep citrus degreaser I have seems to strong. I cant stand the smell of simple green but it does work. Looks like I'll have to pick up a bottle.

Thanks,

oven cleaner