Need advice cleaning engine.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
Need advice cleaning engine.
I have 40,000 miles on my Ultra and the engine needs to be cleaned. While I keep my bike very clean I normally leave the engine alone. I have always avoided using a high pressure hose but now I feel that's what I need. My engine has what I would call oil seepage in various places however I do not have any oil drips on the floor. I was wondering what product is used the most for cleaning engines. How many of you just use the high pressure hose at the car wash ? Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 125
From: Reading, PA
well I do use the local car wash a few times per year. it has a few bays designed for motorcycles with a wheel chock and a lift. The pressure wand is high volume moderate pressure, way more than a garden hose but not like a pressure washer you would use on your deck etc. I use the soap/wash and then high pressure rinse. I do not use the pre-soak/degreaser which I suspect etches the aluminum. I have not had any problems.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1,122
From: 48.067222,12.863611
Use simple green diluted to about 5:1 Let soak about a minute. Rinse off with medium pressure garden hose (just use the old school finger over then hose end). Then, use engine brightener. If it needs more than that, do it again. Or get out the fine tip cleaning tools and get to work.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,227
Likes: 7,803
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
For gunky old build up....hit it with some engine degreaser foam. Follow up on stubborn spots with a big spray can of carb cleaner.
Blast off with the water hose
repeat....repeat...do this a few times over a few months and she'll get to where you want. Bike prior to current one was an old Shovelhead I bought in really rough shape, who knows how many miles but both rocker top box gaskets had been seeping badly and dripping down both jugs and cooking on. That engine was a nasty looking mess. The above approach is all I did and she looked darned good after a short while, frequently getting compliments.
Let her dry really well, even run it to warm up and help dry better. Cool down a bit and spray on some engine brightener...like S100 which you can find nearly anywhere, or if you can find Pig Spit...I prefer that better...I find it stays on there longer.
Blast off with the water hose
repeat....repeat...do this a few times over a few months and she'll get to where you want. Bike prior to current one was an old Shovelhead I bought in really rough shape, who knows how many miles but both rocker top box gaskets had been seeping badly and dripping down both jugs and cooking on. That engine was a nasty looking mess. The above approach is all I did and she looked darned good after a short while, frequently getting compliments.
Let her dry really well, even run it to warm up and help dry better. Cool down a bit and spray on some engine brightener...like S100 which you can find nearly anywhere, or if you can find Pig Spit...I prefer that better...I find it stays on there longer.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 94
From: SE Michigan
Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner, a paint brush with duck tape over the metal part, and followed up with engine brightener.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Original Gunk works great for me. NEVER use s pressure washer on your bike! Otherwise you'll be joining many others on this forum crying about the crappy wheel bearings Harley puts on their products!