ig109

I just picked up a new to me truck... 06 GMC Sierra Z71 ext cab..

Truck has a LOT of miles on it and a LOT of gunk build up under the hood and all around the front suspension..

I plan to do the WAY up the air on jackstands thing to clean the underneath the question i have is the engine compartment..

I have access to a hot water pressure washer, and can use that if you all think it will be ok, however the grime isnt my worst problem, the pitting/corrosion all over the alluminum components is..

I cannot for the life of me think of what to use to try and clean this up.

Etching mag wheel cleaner??

Ayone have any ideas?

What do you all reccomend using for a pretreater/cleaner on the engine bay??

gs7793

iTrader: (8)

Spray it down with a whole bottle of simple green that's not dilluted at all and spray it off with a pressure washer, don't spray the coils hard

grey matter 04

iTrader: (9)

I use RED HOT degreaser on my motor and hose off with the water hose.Works great for me.

Any type of degreaser used strait will cut the grease n grime then pressure wash it off.

Any truck stop should have aluminum bright to clean your aluminum pieces.DO NOT SPRAY ON WHEELS!!
Aluminum bright will clean all your pieces but will make them white because its an acid

ig109

I just wondered if that stuff (the aluminum brite) would be too harsh on the aluminum on say... the alternator case and water pump..

I guess if it is ok to use on tires and wheels and such (uncoated, unpolished mag wheels) then it should be fine..

Just hate to ruin the alternator... but that pitty barnicle looking **** that is all over the aluminum is terrible.. makes the truck look like it has 400K on it...

ig109

Here are a few pics of how it looks rt now..







Disgusting..

There is also what appears to be concrete slung up in the rear quarters (bedsides)

Any clue how the hell to get that off?

gs7793

iTrader: (8)

Like I said before, use simple green.

TIM Z

iTrader: (12)

Zep- a- lume. Sold at truck stops, strong **** dont breathe it!


Also i just used a power brush on the end of my grinder and polished my alternator right up. Looks like new.

ig109

All these aluminum brite type cleaners (they are all about the same thing) .. you all dont think they will hurt the alternator?

grey matter 04

iTrader: (9)

I would skip the alternator just to to be safe.
Would hate to get mild acid inside it and eat up something

TimDave217

iTrader: (4)

just a fyi i wouldn't use simple green. use purple power or something else. the reason i say this is because simple green actually helps pitting over time and can weaken aluminium. it has been proven. it used to be used on aircraft until they found this out. not sure if this helps at all but its a nice fyi when it comes to cleaning aluminium