Cleaning Fluid
 

I bought a parts cleaner to clean many of the engine parts of my rebuild myself. Question is what solvent should I use? I looked at some waterbased cleaners, but they state that it will harm aluminum. I had someone else recommend mineral spirits, but it is combustable and the manual for the parts cleaner states "no flammable or combustable cleaning fluids.
What should I use?

Mineral spirits.... nothing else... I bought a parts cleaning tank form Northern Tool, Same as the Harbor Freight one.... for around $100 bucks... I use about 15 gallons or so of pure mineral spirits for the last 10 years... only changed out the fluid once... Works great

mineral spirits works, there are threads on this.... diesel fuel has been described as working pretty well and doesn't cost too much but may need soaking

I am a fan of kerosene with ATF added, just because it is cheap and the smell is not too bad.

Kerosine and ATF...wow who thought of that mix?
Anyway I went ahead and bought 10 gal. of Mineral Spirits and am currently out in my driveway clean parts.

Thank for your input. The Mineral Spirits seem to be working OK. I thought it might clean a little faster. But that might be because its 25 deg. outside.

Mineral spirits, also called ******** Solvent.

Works well, cleans off easily, isn't terribly flammable, and doesn't leave everything smelling bad.

Naphtha is what I used, works great.