Degreasing rocker cover and front of the engine (1 Viewer)

[brainhax]

Hi,
There is a lot of gunk build up at the front of the engine. (crank pulley, Balancer etc in the front)
Rocker cover was a bit leaking and driving in very dusty conditions made it quite worse around that engine area.

Can I just spray degreaser generously and hose it afterwards to clean up the gunk? Specially in the front part of the engine.

Thanks

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1997 1FZ-FE Petrol

 

[COS80]

If it's old, it'll need to be agitated with a brush or something.

 

[Batameez]

I like to spray a degreaser and then hit it with a power washer. Be careful where you spray.

 

[Kernal]

@brainhax

There are open breather holes on the distributor facing the head (close to the valve cover).
Cover the distributor with a plastic bag before washing and do not spray directly at it.
The spark plugs sit in vertical tubes that can fill with water, so don't spray water on the top of the valve cover/engine, clean that by hand.
Do not spray cleaner or high pressure water directly into the alternator.
Make sure the engine oil and ATF dipsticks are pushed all the way in, doesn't hurt to put a plastic bag over those
Check that the brake fluid reservoir and power steering reservoir caps are tight.
Do not spray high pressure water directly at engine wire harnesses or connectors
Do not attempt to clean the firewall behind the engine, the original fiberglass mat insulation will fall apart if hit with high pressure water

If you don't know, the most common cause of a large leak with a thick build up of grime on the front of the engine (timing chain cover) is
a LEAKING OIL PUMP COVER GASKET. Search for those terms in this forum, many threads on that topic. Replace the front crank seal
at the same time as the oil pump cover gasket (the Harmonic balancer has to come off for both).

Common also to have oil leaks from the distributor (housing) O-ring and valve cover gasket (replace the valve cover spark plug tube seals at the same time).