What is the best way to clean an engine?

[biggcrisp]

Make sure you have the doghouse back in place before you start the engine. Hopefully you already knew that.

[BigBadDad]

Steam. Control where you direct it. Before you clean it, if it has grease/oil that is in fact creating an actual problem, then understand why the problem exists and fix it. If a problem isn't really happening, and it's an appearance thing, then think hard about just how much pain you will endure to have it be pretty.

[peggwn]

biggcrisp, I knew that! I just didn't remember that I knew that - LOL. Thanks for the heads up because I really didn't think about it until you mentioned it. Isn't it always the obvious thing that we neglect to pay attention to? Once again we see the value of the advice given on this forum. Not re-covering the doghouse might have caused a bigger mess than the one I was cleaning up.

BigBadDad, we currently do not have any problems that I know of. I do not believe the previous owner DH (might stand for "Didn't Help") ever maintained or cleaned anything exterior or chassis-related; I believe his DW did all the cleaning inside the coach - it was immaculate, even spectacular inside. If he did fix problems involving the escape of fluids he certainly didn't clean up afterwards.

We had it thoroughly checked out mechanically when we bought, and fixed everything that needed it. Now I really just want it as clean as possible so if a problem does crop up I'll find it quicker. Anyway, a clean engine is easier on the hands, tools, floor, clothes, etc. I guess I'll endure the pain this first time, and then make a decision later if I ever want to do it again.

Thanks all.

[biggcrisp]

I once had an acquaintance that owned an aircraft for many decades. He commented that he does the maintenance and God cleans it.