Quote Originally Posted by REF84 View Post
Fell off the project for a bit but back on it today. Did the Oil filter housing gasket and replaced the vanos oil line and both sensors on the oil filter housing. Gasket was completely worn, (it broke into a bunch of pieces when taking it out). Replaced it with a viton gasket.

Ordered the oil pan gasket so tackling that next. Removed the sway bar and controls arms, got a harbor freight engine support bar and I removed the engine mounts. Was about to drop the oil pan but realized I didn’t have an e10 torx so have to go buy one of those tomorrow.


Got 2 questions:

1. My engine and oil pan floor cover/skid plate are completely gunked up in an oily
sludge. I live in a condo and can’t really pressure wash in there. Tried cleaning it up with some shop towels but it would of taken 10 rolls. Is it bad for the engine to be dirty and gunked up? Is there an easy way to dissolve and clean it up without using a pressure washer?

2. Since everything is covered in oil my power steering lines and some of my rack are covered in oil too, so can’t tell if they’re leaking. The main hard lines under the steering rack are pretty caked in oil. Is it worth replacing all the power steering lines while I’m down here? I already have the reservoir lines.

I used Super Clean with great results. Spray it on, let is soak and wash off (or use towels to mop it up). The only difference between the foaming version vs regular is the spray bottle. I've refilled the foaming bottle from the gallon of the regular/non-foaming Super Clean and it still foams. Walmart is the cheapest (link). Walmart's the cheapest for the gallon refill, too.

If you're not able to hose it off, perhaps it's worth taking it to a self carwash to hose off the engine bay and under-side when you're all done.

If you have the budget, the time, and the willingness to change the PS hardlines, might as well. But if you're just diagnosing where the leaks are, then perhaps clean them up and then keep an eye on them (if it leaks it'll usually start weaping from where the rubber hose joins the metal crimp connectors).

Lots of good work, keep us posted.