Cleaning under the hood ?

[LAPORTE]

One quick question.... What do you all use to clean unwanted grease and such under the hood of your outboard ?

         I was thinking about some degreaser from the local hardware then power wash... what is your ideas     This is my first new motor and I want to keep it clean. thanks all 

Don L

[djkimmel]

What outboard do you have? I'd be leery of powerwashing the exposed connections and devices under the hood of most modern outboards... might be able to find someone who knows more.

[LAPORTE]

I have a 1998 Johnson Car. Motor .... I was thinking about duct taping the intake and blasting it with water ....

[SethV]

I would not blast the powerhead with water.  What is the point?  You would run the serious risk of getting water inside electrical connections and you can also wash grease out of needed places such as throttle/shift links, steering arms, ect.

Best thing is park it inside or if you park it outside, cover the air intakes so bugs/mice/dust don't get in easily.

Seth

[LAPORTE]

I was just looking for ways to clean the dirty surface under the cover. I have allot of oil residue and grease just laying in the bottom surface. It wouldn't look so bad if it were a darker color. but its white. Maybe im making a mountain out of a mole hill....

Don L

[djkimmel]

Are you talking about the cowling only? If so, that's a different story.

The base part would still make me nervous about getting water where it doesn't belong, and maybe taking out grease you need.

The cowling separately for that motor shouldn't be a big deal as long as you can dry it out good somewhere.

[djkimmel]

Do you have someone you know who needs some punishment? I'm thinking of the old toothbrush and 'elbow' grease method for any other part of the motor...