Grime, oil and road debris make their way into your engine and can create a major mess. The mess gets into different parts of the engine, requiring you to remove this or that part to be cleaned before reinstalling. The nature of the mess poses a major problem. The mess is a baked-on mix of oil, grease, fuel and dirt, and standard cleaners aren't up to the task. The best options include Gumout aerosols, Gunk Parts Cleaner and do-it-yourself mixes.
Gumout Carb and Choke Cleaner is an aerosol delivery of a mixture of corrosive chemicals engineered to cut through grime and grease without damaging internal parts. Prolonged use can damage seals and sensors, but as a parts cleaner Gumout works wonders. Soldiers have used this product and variations for cleaning carbon residue off of weapons for years. When cleaning a part removed from the vehicle, small amounts of Gumout spray will break up the deposits and cut through any grease on the part, making it an ideal and quick parts cleaner.
Gunk Parts Cleaner operates by immersing engine parts (removed from the engine) in a solution that effectively removes dirt, debris and deposits. Some scrubbing is needed with heavier deposits, which is normal for any cleanser. The engineers designed the product to cut through oil, grease, paint, carbon, varnish and standard grime without damaging the environment. Unlike aerosol sprays, this product is fully contained and safer for use in closed environments.
Some of the best cleansers used on vehicle parts are those mixed from standard materials. A 1 to 4 ratio of any tuneup or injector cleaner mixed with high-octane gasoline creates a product that readily cuts through grime and grease and loosens deposits without creating excessively harmful or corrosive vapors. Most cleaning products harm rubber, seals and sensors, however, so use selectively. The mixture of fuel and injector cleaner is the mildest cleanser capable of polishing any engine part on or off the vehicle. The mixture does require elbow grease, but being the least volatile makes it one of the best options.
