Purple Power

[scribestone]

Anybody ever use this for getting grease and crud off your engine? It warns about affecting aluminum if left on too long so before I try it, I thought I'd ask if anyone else did. Any other suggestions? Is plain old carb cleaner ok for jugs and stuff too?

[crazy steve]

That's basically just SimpleGreen tinted a different color and made by somebody else. Yes, it will harm aluminum if left on too long or allowed to dry, so clean small areas and rinse thoroughly.

Carb cleaner won't harm the metal, but will eat paint off and it's not good for rubber parts either.

[scribestone]

Thanks. Thought so on both counts but wanted a 2nd opinion.
I'm the Uber Noob of mechanics.

[cywelchjr]

I use the stuff all the time as a degreaser. Just make sure as Steve said to not let it dry on the engine. I usually don't let it stay on more than about 10 minutes before I rinse it off. It does take the grease off real well, but it will bring out the white powder on bare aluminum if you don't put something on it afterwards. I use it on my car engines as well, I think it's better than that gunk stuff, and it doesn't stink as bad either.