Cleaning the motor oil sprayed all over engine bay

[ccondon99]

The oil pressure gauge fitting screwed into my turbo began leaking and then blew a bunch of oil all over the top of the motor and then the fan sprayed over the entire bay. 2 questions:
1) Any recommendation in cleaning? Okay to use the Gunk and garden hose method? If Gunk and garden house, do people recommend warm of cold motor to start? Do you run motor immediately after to dry or air dry?
2) Oil is all over belts too. Anything more needed to clean up belts other than Gunk and garden house, like belt dressing liquid?

[arthurgoboom]

I would take it to a car wash, and spray the engine down with a mild degreaser (something like the orange oil products, something not petroleum based) and give the whole compartment several cycles of degreaser sprays and water washdowns. Keep the pressure wand pretty far away, you don't want to do any damage to any wires. Also, cover the alternator with a plastic bag first, and disconnect the battery cables so the electrical system isn't live during the process, and let it drip dry for a few minutes when you're done before you reconnect the batts.

[ccondon99]

Thanks appreciate the recommendation. Makes sense.

[4micaman]

I started using "purple power" and it works great. Spray on a warm (not hot) dry engine and let it soak in a few minutes. You may want to spray it down a few times with the degreaser of your choice, before rinsing.

It's habit of mine for the motor to be running when I spray it off with a garden hose.

I've seen some suggest putting a plastic bag over the alternator... I tend to just not soak it or keep as little water / degreaser off of it.

[1987IDI]

Originally Posted by 4micaman

I started using "purple power" and it works great.

I Just spilled 25 gallons of used motor oil in my bed. I have a 55 gallon drum of purple power, do you think using it straight will hurt the paint or anything under the bed?(fuel lines or wiring)

[4micaman]

I wouldn't use it straight, that's just my opinion though. I cut it 50/50 with tap water.

[1987IDI]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.