super-duper-easy case cleaning

haycait911 · haycait911's Garage

it's probably been done here before, but I figured I'd do a thread anyway.

I needed to clean my case internals. the usual case seam sealant, oil staining, etc. I used Permatex Gasket Remover, more or less paint stripper. I sprayed it generously inside and outside, in the oil passages, etc. then pressure washed with hot water. took two applications, one can. easiest case cleaning ever! wish I took before pics but imagine the usual 100k plus original case.

Neilk · 03-17-2011, 08:55 PM

Any tips on the final pre-assembly cleaning? Looks great!

haycait911 · haycait911's Garage

I don't think it can get much cleaner but I'll hose it down with brake-kleen and blow it dry just to be safe.

neilca · 03-18-2011, 04:35 AM

Is that an aluminum case? It looks too good to be magnesium.

Tippy · 03-18-2011, 05:38 AM

That looks pretty good.

I used something with similar results; Easy-Off oven cleaner (potassium hydroxide I believe) followed by a 3000 PSI pressure washer with similar results but the active ingredients will eat aluminum if you do not rinse off in a short timeframe.

Maybe spent 30 minutes tops.

Gasket remover probably will eat up aluminum too if left on too long.

I've researched for dozens of hours on what chemicals/solvents that can clean aluminum without eating it up.

It is pretty limited.

Key point: as long as you use care and do not let these harsh chemicals sit and make sure to thouroughly rinse, it won't hurt it.

haycait911 · haycait911's Garage

it's an alum 3.0 case. I don't think paint strippers can touch aluminum. they're just solvents. I strip fuchs by putting on stripper then bagging them overnight. never had an issue.

Tippy · 03-18-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haycait911

it's an alum 3.0 case. I don't think paint strippers can touch aluminum. they're just solvents. I strip fuchs by putting on stripper then bagging them overnight. never had an issue.

Good to know. I thought of paint strippers myself (used it a lot in my dads biz) but I thought I read the active ingredients would tear up aluminum. Now I know.

Easy-Off will definitely tear up aluminum....

AlfonsoR · 03-21-2011, 08:30 PM

Wow!! Looks good.

Flat6pac · 03-23-2011, 03:24 PM

How clean did the outside get, Pictures? I got to try it but its hard to find in power spray can. Looks like NAPA is the only one...
Bruce

cfc · 03-28-2011, 04:59 AM

Are you going to pull the plugs?

KTL · 03-28-2011, 08:02 AM

That gasket remover is some nasty stuff. Watch what it does to basic thin blue nitrile gloves when you use it. The gloves get bigger in a hurry and the glove fingers simply fall right off! I use the thicker black or green chemical gloves when I use this stuff in larger doses, like removing powder coating.

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep this in mind when my engine comes apart next time.

ninesixfour · 05-03-2011, 04:45 PM

Wow that is CLEAN! Much cleaner than mine after the hours I spent. Gotta get some gasket remover.

Flat6pac · 05-03-2011, 05:26 PM

Basically only available in a 4 oz brush on applicator in the States
Been looking,
Bruce

ninesixfour · 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

Basically only available in a 4 oz brush on applicator in the States
Been looking,
Bruce

According to THIS it's available at my local auto parts store. The Permatex site says it's available at all my local auto parts stores. I will check tomorrow.

What about paint stripper? Will it do the same thing?

304065 · 05-04-2011, 05:25 AM

Gotta pull the gallery plugs- no doubt the pressure washer introduced water into the main gallery through the squirters or through-bolt passages. It's a good idea to pull the plugs anyway so now you have a good reason to do it.

HawgRyder · HawgRyder's Garage

Do you use the same press in plugs ?
Or would tapping the passages and screwing in plugs be better?
Bob

KTL · 05-04-2011, 08:49 AM

Yeah my use of it has been spray-can application. Works very good for various sealants and gasket materials. You can watch the crud bubble right off the part you're cleaning. When I was painting the fill plate for my fuel cell (bad idea, as no rattle can paint is really fuel proof....) I kept using this stuff to strip the paint instead of actual paint stripper. Did a great job. Nasty stuff....

304065 · 05-04-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawgRyder

Do you use the same press in plugs ?
Or would tapping the passages and screwing in plugs be better?
Bob

Mine was done by Ollies, they make new plugs with a lathe and put them in.

I think this has been discussed here- these are not available as separate part numbers from Porsche.

I think the tapped passages are SOP on the cam boxes. I think Walt Fricke has tapped oil galleries due his need as a racer to frequently clean out the galleries as part of race rebuilds (and not hopefully due to uncommanded disassembly!)