rinemb - Posted - 03/22/2026:  06:13:06

My 52 Chevy truck has had a slow rear main leak maybe some from the front as well, for ever. Everywhere else the engine leaked, I fixed in the past.
While I have clean it all off long a couple of times, when I had access to a lift over an oil pit, I don’t have that anymore. I don’t think I can do it at home without making a big mess. It’s been a long time and the black gunk is on the bottom and all over tranny really thick and set.
Recommended products and procedures are appreciated. Brad

randybartlett - Posted - 03/22/2026:  06:30:10

Rent ramps (or borrow). Gunk degreaser. Plastic spatulas. Stiff disposable brush. Gloves. Eye protection. Old towels. Old clothes. Warm day.

slammer - Posted - 03/22/2026:  06:39:17

Tough decision on what to buy. Tough job without a lift or pit. I researched it and products are endless. I would look on Amazon and read revues on a few to see what’s best. Soooooo many products.
Another idea to make the job easier is see if a garage would let you use / rent a lift they’re not using . Put a cheap tarp down and spray away. Either way, not a fun job. I bought a boat and the motor and cable and gas lines were caked in grease. I used Dawn power scrub. Worked pretty good.
Slammer!!!

rinemb - Posted - 03/22/2026:  06:48:14

quote:

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Originally posted by slammer

Tough decision on what to buy. Tough job without a lift or pit. I researched it and products are endless. I would look on Amazon and read revues on a few to see what’s best. Soooooo many products.

Another idea to make the job easier is see if a garage would let you use / rent a lift they’re not using . Put a cheap tarp down and spray away. Either way, not a fun job. I bought a boat and the motor and cable and gas lines were caked in grease. I used Dawn power scrub. Worked pretty good.

Slammer!!!

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You both bring up bad memories.  It will require scraping and wire brushing and ruining a set of clothes, and pain.  Unless there a new super-duper grease dissolver out there.  Luckily I do have a big transmission floor panel in the cab to access from the top.  

Once I parked it over the trap at a car wash (back when actually HOT water) and along with a degreaser product I cleaned it.  They frown on that nowadays!  Brad

Tractor1 - Posted - 03/22/2026:  08:07:13

sometimes a big shop vac hose with a crevice tool ,can help,plenty of hose for freedom of movement...be careful --

Owen - Posted - 03/22/2026:  09:05:12

I've never used one, but would steam+pressure work? 

 I seem to recall seeing [local] ads for individuals that do ^^ on a commercial basis..... maybe connected to the oil/gas or agric. service sector??  

pinenut - Posted - 03/22/2026:  09:35:17

Use a decent gas powered pressure washer (Honda) and an oscillating turbo tip. 

The tip is the critical part; the good ones vibrate and cut through that old thick crud quickly without leaving marks.  This takes the hard part out of a dirty job.

A good degreaser like "Oil Eater" or diesel left to soak for a while and nice hot day help too. 

Tractor1 - Posted - 03/22/2026:  09:46:01

sounds like close proximity --underneath a truck--personally i would not be under there with much splattering, --but our set ups vary ,

Tractor1 - Posted - 03/22/2026:  09:48:08

but out on a table --pressure washer yes--actually had good luck--cleaning my grill grate wit a string trimmer

pinenut - Posted - 03/22/2026:  10:09:55

quote:

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Originally posted by Tractor1

sounds like close proximity --underneath a truck--personally i would not be under there with much splattering, --but our set ups vary ,

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Dude, it's a dirty job even with the rig over a pit or a tractor in the open.  He's gonna look like a hobo and smell like the back end of a Ford when the job is done.

Put on the goggles, overalls and hair/head cover. 

The important part is that oscillating turbo tip; it doubles the effectiveness of the typical pressure washer spray tip and makes it a quick job.

Edited by - pinenut on 03/22/2026 10:17:54

rinemb - Posted - 03/22/2026:  10:50:43

I have access to real good power washer. But where am I going to do it. I am a city dweller, and all the farmers in my family died off and the farms are gone. I am oil field my entire life and still have a few contacts. If the yard oilfield equipment yards and metal shop buildings, I could get it done there. Brad

rinemb - Posted - 03/22/2026:  10:52:06

I could take to to Al’s place, but that is a bit of a long drive in 52 truck with 216 engine. ;-). Brad

Tractor1 - Posted - 03/22/2026:  13:06:03

the name ain't dude--and nobody called you wrong--just saying what has worked for me --the best--only for me --I won't respond to any more from you on this--peace--- no big deal for me

Edited by - Tractor1 on 03/22/2026 13:10:47

STUD figmo Al - Posted - 03/22/2026:  16:26:00

Spray it all down with Gunk engine cleaner..n head to the commercial car wash...

pinenut - Posted - 03/22/2026:  18:18:58

quote:

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Originally posted by STUD figmo Al

Spray it all down with Gunk engine cleaner..n head to the commercial car wash...

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Don't get caught; they throw a fit if they catch you...  

Edited by - pinenut on 03/22/2026 18:20:15

STUD figmo Al - Posted - 03/22/2026:  18:52:18

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

quote:

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Originally posted by STUD figmo Al

Spray it all down with Gunk engine cleaner..n head to the commercial car wash...

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Don't get caught; they throw a fit if they catch you...  

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True ...but only if you spray the gunk while at thier facility... ;0)

Helix - Posted - 03/22/2026:  19:39:13

STEAM.    I'VE GOT ABOUT 4 EXTRA ONES AROUND HERE, GET THE KIND WITH 45 MIN OF STEAM, THEN YOU LET THEM COOL DOWN SO YOU DON'T END UP WITH A GRENADE AND YOU HAVE A TRIGGER ON THE GUN TO CONSERVE DISTILLED WATER.   YOU CAN EVEN STEAM YER SHIRTS WITH IT. iT'S WORTH IT TO SPRING FOR THE WALLPAPER REMOVER TYPE, IT COMES WITH ALL KINDS OF ATTACHMENTS.  i BUILD BANJOS WITH STEAM, i REPAIR BANJOS WITH STEAM, I'M A STEAMROLLER. WORKS ON TILE GROUT, KITCHEN COOKTOPS, SKILLET BOTTOMS, ENGINE BAYS, TRANNY AND DIFFERENTIALS, TIRES AND WHEELS.  

(    ):)===='== ::}

Edited by - Helix on 03/22/2026 19:40:49

rinemb - Posted - 03/23/2026:  08:54:19

quote:

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Originally posted by Helix

STEAM.    I'VE GOT ABOUT 4 EXTRA ONES AROUND HERE, GET THE KIND WITH 45 MIN OF STEAM, THEN YOU LET THEM COOL DOWN SO YOU DON'T END UP WITH A GRENADE AND YOU HAVE A TRIGGER ON THE GUN TO CONSERVE DISTILLED WATER.   YOU CAN EVEN STEAM YER SHIRTS WITH IT. iT'S WORTH IT TO SPRING FOR THE WALLPAPER REMOVER TYPE, IT COMES WITH ALL KINDS OF ATTACHMENTS.  i BUILD BANJOS WITH STEAM, i REPAIR BANJOS WITH STEAM, I'M A STEAMROLLER. WORKS ON TILE GROUT, KITCHEN COOKTOPS, SKILLET BOTTOMS, ENGINE BAYS, TRANNY AND DIFFERENTIALS, TIRES AND WHEELS.  

(    ):)===='== ::}

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I have a steam machine on wheels, I forgot all about it.  I bought to clean my basement floors, and later for wall paper removing.  Hmmm, I wonder where that thing is? I bet at my storage unit.  I doubt the war wash will let me plug it in, eh.  Brad