Dry Ice Blasting Engine Parts
 

Hey everyone!

I'm about to embark on a 2.2L journey. Still thinking, planning, dreaming for what the outcome of this engine will be, but starting at the bottom the engine has been sitting for awhile and needs some cleanup. I'm considering dry ice blasting everything to get everything cleaned up for inspection and mocked up on the stand. I know dry ice blasting is used quite a bit for a bunch of underbody stuff as well as aluminum engine parts and cases. Is there anything I need to know about magnesium cases and dry ice blasting? How about more sensitive parts like the fan assembly?

Any feedback would be appreciated before I consider this any further. Also, if anyone feels strongly about another process or cleaning solution for dissolving surface corrosion and grime I'm all ears.

Thanks everyone!

Hi, I think you are confusing 2 different types of cleaning. Dry ice blasting is not harmful if done correctly (too high pressures can damage paint/parts easily though) but is not abrasive, so not the best bet against corrosion.
The other is vaporblasting, which is abrasive mixed with water. Great for cleaning aluminium and magnesium, but the media gets everywhere. You need to open up all the oil passages and remove the oil squirters.

There is no single end all cleaning solution in my opinion.

EDIT: I´m a vapor blaster by trade, so if you have any questions, fire away.

Thanks!

Definitely referring to dry ice blasting. I have a friend who does it and has been doing some aluminum Porsche parts for another friend of mine on a 550 build. It seems to clean everything well, including the lovely white dust that comes with aluminum oxidation. I guess that's what I'm referring too. Not straight up rust/corrosion, so to speak. Sorry for the confusion. I stated that wrong. Basic oxidation.

Sounds like it could be okay for a mag case application as long as the pressure is kept under careful control.

Vapor blasting is something I've never checked into. Sounds like it could be great for actual rust and paint removal. Is that what you're saying?

Yes dry ice is definately OK to use on magnesium. It's used to clean circuit boards and other fragile parts so no problem.

The vapor blasting can remove oxidation and paint, but I prefer to 'dry' blast (beadblast) first to remove paint and heavy oxidation.

I think the general consensus is that it's fine. Magnesium is 33% lighter than aluminum but they have very similar tensile strength.

In this older thread a user posted pictures of before and after. The majority of what can be seen is likely aluminum but there's probably some magnesium bits in there too.

-Matt

Great! Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the input.

I'm picking up a 2.2L tomorrow and I know it will need plenty of clean up before and during the rebuild process.

Whatever I end up doing, I'll post some before and after pictures here.

If you can to minimize it getting ever where, do a really good cleaning with the Dry Ice on the engine as a long block first. The rest inside should be easy. Have fun

Dry ice is great to clean the engine before you start the disassembly process. Removes all the oily/greasy residues from metal, plastic and rubber surfaces. More efficient and less messy than degreaser and pressure washer. While blasting some dirt might end up in openings that are not fully sealed, but if you take apart the engine for a rebuild that is not a real issue. It will remove some loose rust and corrosion but you might have to step up to more abrasive blasting media (soda, walnut shells, glass beads...) later in the rebuild process for best results. Anyway good way to start your rebuild !

Dry Ice blasting is great, wish it wasn’t so damn pricey for a set up. would be a very handy tool around the house.

Got the motor home. Unfortunately, the top end of the motor was already disassembled, so I may need to go a more manual cleaning route for the bottom end (?). The rest should be convenient to just drop off with the dry ice guy.

Although... the bottom end was left in the corner of the guy's shop that I bought it from and is COVERED in bondo dust, which mixed nicely with the rest of the grime on the cases. Maybe at this point if doesn't really matter. HA! :rolleyes:

If manually cleaning the bottom end, any magic cleaners you guys would recommend (since we're on the subject) that will be suitable to clean up the mag cases?

I like Dry Ice and recommend it. It is a great way to understand your car's condition and keep yourself clean while working on it.

Here is my car being cleaned. I think this is the worst-case outcome—my other vehicles and every other car I have seen cleaned come out better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76_DvHEiKKM

In this video, I wanted the cosmoline removed from the wheel wells and do basic annual cleaning.

Dry Ice is 100% fine on Magnesium cases. If you are doing an engine rebuild, tumble the disassembled cases, heads, etc.. They will look amazing.

Good stuff! Thank you!