Cleaning the ER/Bilge

[trit21]

I am wanting to clean my engine room/bilge and was wondering what everyone uses and the technique used to clean. After looking at the pictures of FWEBSTERS pics, I was wondering what everyone uses to clean this area. I have used simple green and some other stuff but wondering what the proper technique is to get under the motor and everyplace else cleaned. I understand some of us have less than desirable access but that does not mean it can't be cleaned and shouldn't be cleaned.

So, if I could get some feedback from others who take pride in their ER/Bilge area that would help me in deciding my method of cleaning as well.

 

[tdappleman]

Simple Green is certainly a good cleaner - as is Spray Nine Marine. For me, an air sprayer works great - I can dilute the Simple Green right in the sprayer and go. Spray the area and use a long handled and soft bristled brush to clean and then rinse. I'm on a trailer so it's easy to get the water out - but I know others have used shop vacs to vacuum out what the bilge pumps cannot get to. Keeping it spotless tells you immediately when you have a problem.

 

[Lazy Daze]

A brush on a stick will be your best friend. You can make one from stuff you have laying around - I used a section from one of those "torchiere" lights and attached a brush to the end. By the way, these sections make good "helpers" on the end of wrenches.

Or, you can buy a short (4'), cheap brush (the kind for washing your hull) with a wooden handle. Experiment - you may want to cut it down or even get a longer handle. A 2' handle works for me.

Something I've never tried, but thinking about it as I'm writing. With my boat, I wouldn't need to do this as I have a pretty straight shot to get under the engine, but... What about making the brush handle flexible? Now, you can probably buy something like this, but:

What about if you were to cut the handle (again, experiment to find the best spot), then duct tape the handle back together? That would create a "joint" that, depending on how you tape it, would offer a little bit to a lot of flexibility.

Thinking more... Maybe a piece of heavy hose would make a better flex point.

 

[trit21]

Excellent ideas...I am going to get a brush and experiment in the ER this weekend, see if I can't come up with a way to clean the hard to reach areas since the 320 is full of those areas. Just bought the boat last March and with the year round boating season here in FL (bragging a little) I haven't been able to get in the ER and do the things I have wanted to as of yet. But with the slightly cooler weather, this weekend 78 F, I will try and get some of the stuff done.

 

[HUMPH]

I bought a toilet brush and duct taped a 4' long wooden handle to it. It looks cheesy but it's nice to have the 360 degree brush! :smt038

 

[trit21]

Thats funny, was just looking at that while in the bathroom at work.

 

[Greg]

I use a toilet bowl brush as well, I slip the handle of it into my boat pole handle when I need to get to those 'hard to reach' places. Simple Green or Spray Nine, Garden hose and Shop-Vac.

 

[Henry Boyd]

A second on Simple Green. If this hasn't been done in a while and there is a lot of old built up crud, you might consider a bottle of bilge cleaner from a boat supply house. You pour it in, add water and drive around for a day or two to let it slosh around. This is a good first step for getting the guck from under the engine.

I have also found that a string mop with the handle cut down so it is about 3' long works great on getting under the engine clean. After that a spray bottle of straight Simple Green works great. If you have any mildew spots you may also want to test out a dilute solution of bleach and water in a sprayer. But, minimize exposed skin by wearing clothes that can get ruined, plastic gloves, eye protection, and if you have it a charcoal painter's mask.

Henry

 

[katricol]

If the bilge is REALLY dirty and oily (because you just bought the boat,as you would never let it get that way) use a degreaser. Auto stores sell one called purple power, but there are many brands of "mild" degreasers on the market.
Spray it on, let it sit, then wipe it off with rags and rinse. Works great..

 

[Nehalennia]

I use Simple green in mine and exclusively. It's a great degreaser and keeps everything nice tidy and clean. It's good to get in there and clean it to remove any dust, or debris that can possibly clog your bilge pump, garboard plug. A diluted solution works fine, but for tough greasy spots spray it on full strength and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. A handheld scrub brush or toilet cleaner brush works great.

I always try and keep mine dry and clean, so I can do a quick visual inspection and know that all is in good order.

 

[carterchapman]

Todd,

You pass bilge inspection like Frank does.

 

[MaddyDean]

Cleaning the bilge, that is a great idea. We just bought the boat at Thanksgiving time and I have been itches to climb onboard. I will clean the bilge this weekend.

Thanks for these ideas. I will also pick you those oil wags.

 

[tcason]

I seem to always have some water in my bilge, even when the forklift driver tilts the boat bow up while moving. I also get water in bilge from skiers, tubers, etc.

I carry a bottle of Dawn or Joy dish soap and always squirt a little into bilge before every outing - this seems to slosh around and keep things clean/smelling good until I drain out on dry storage rack.

On my Sundeck it is tough (impossible) to get under engine and really scrub the bilge, but I try and I do use a toilet brush and Simple Green.

 

[douglee25]

Thats funny, was just looking at that while in the bathroom at work.

#1 or #2?

Doug

 

[Nehalennia]

Here's what mine looked like when I bought it. A true crime IMO

 

[The Bill Collector]

Nobody comes close to what I've seen of Todd's ER.....:smt038

I have simple green on board, but for a little more strength I use

ZEP commercial cleaner and I buy it at Home Depot.....:smt038

 

[DaleM]

When you guys rise things down after cleaning, do you try and keep it off the hydraulic pumps, etc? I'm always worried about how much water that "stuff" can take....

 

[Nehalennia]

When you guys rise things down after cleaning, do you try and keep it off the hydraulic pumps, etc? I'm always worried about how much water that "stuff" can take....

Yeah, you don't want to go crazy. Avoid those components, including the starter and alternator. Also. I take a sponge and mop up the excess. I'm due to clean mine again. When I'm done this time I will hit some touch up spots on the engine with paint and spray the engine down with a mist of WD-40.

 

[dpmulvey]

If space under the engine is really tight, perhaps a refrigerator coil brush would work. They are bendable as well.

OH...Todd......about your ER.....

;-P

 

[Nehalennia]

If space under the engine is really tight, perhaps a refrigerator coil brush would work. They are bendable as well.

OH...Todd......about your ER.....

;-P

Are you "flipping me the bird"?

I use a wheel brush for cleaning automobile wheels. It's soft enough to get into the corners but stiff enough to clean. I have it pretty clean now so just a wiping down every once in awhile does the trick.