best way to clean engine to detect oil leak

[Sean76]

Hi all, I have a '93 LS DA9, 168k, with an oil leak. I'm in the army so not much money to pay to fix. So I put her on the lift at the autoskills shop yesterday to take a look. A resident tech said there's too much oil to narrow it down. I know it is coming somewhere on the timing belt side of the engine. Tech said possibly from backside also. Basically all I have is a set of jackstands and a garden hose. So what type of cleaner/degreaser should I buy? Also any ideas from someone who has had a similar leak would help. And what all gaskets/seals I would need as I cannot find a set. Thanks

 

[dreamofjdm]

welll as a detailer i say , get a few bottles of arsol degreaser about 2 bucks each and some purple power wich is spray on, spray a bout a can on and off . giving it time to sit for 5 -10 mins and rinse off use your roomates tooth brush and scrub it with the p.p. till its all off and then add oil and see were the leak is at. easy

oh if you do your hole engine spray some tire shine on it and post pics

 

[mirrorimg]

Degreaser (Dawn dishsoap works well), and LOTS of paper towels.

 

[Tam4511]

brake cleaner is magical, spray it on and rinse it off

 

[mirrorimg]

brake cleaner is magical, spray it on and rinse it off

Overspray onto painted parts doesnt eat them up? What about rubber tubing and covers?

 

[jznsn2u]

soap, water, tooth brush, degreaser.

 

[j13]

Simple Green works best IMO and for tuff grease, Motor Gunk spray.