Grease monkey is the word.

[Walt352]

I have a Catalina 30 I bought in Maryland that has been on the hard since 10/01/09. Shipped it down to Florida last week, trying to step the mast and commission her for sailing. It has a M 25 diesel engine that has a lot of grease on it from being winterized. What’s the best way and with what product to clean your engine of grease after it has been winterized without making to great a mess. Thanks Walt

[CaptainForce]

WD-40 is a degreaser. I would think that spraying with WD-40 and using a disposable paint brush. Think of it as practice for basting next thanksgivings big turkey. Afterwords you should be left with a wiping out of the engine sump. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[MarioG]

A spray can of carberator cleaner and a rag would do the trick. You could also use an old tooth brush to scrub it.

[tomandchris]

OK, I must be missing something. Why does it have a bunch of grease on it from winterizing?

[MARC2012]

I am also wondering about the grease.Carb cleaner is VERY flameable I think.Also welcome.marc

[cardiacpaul]

Carb. Cleaner will do its best to remove any paint as well.

For diesels WD 40 can also be a combustible, be very, very careful using it.

There are products, magic bright, gunk, meguier make them to name a few.

They don't work as quickly, but give them time, and multiple applications and you'll be eating off the manifold soon enough.

[Iflyka200s]

Simple Green

Not Flammable, Good Grease Cutter, Earth Friendly..... It's good stuff.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by Iflyka200s

Simple Green

Not Flammable, Good Grease Cutter, Earth Friendly..... It's good stuff.

I would up a notch, use SUPER CLEAN DEGREASER



If you can use a power wash and shop vac to suck up the water. DO it right the first time and be done. I hate smelly and dirty engine. ;P

[deniseO30]

Driveway cleaner, gunk engine cleaner. ( don't be dumping in the water!)
Pressure wash after presoak. (protect alternator and other electrial items)

[sailingdog]

I'd second using Gunk Engine Cleaner, rather than WD-40 or anything more aggressive. Some of the more aggressive things can eat engine seals, gaskets, etc.

I am a bit curious as to why there is grease on the engine from winterizing it. That is totally unnecessary and a royal PITA. If you were storing the engine for say a long, long period of time....two or more years at a minimum, then it might make sense to coat it with grease to prevent corrosion and such from taking place... but for a short layup, it's pretty much unnecessary and overkill.