Engine Cleaning

[Wags61]

I recently purchased my first 911, and while the car is mechanically in pretty good shape, I have been working on the interior leather and general aesthetics. In cleaning the engine, I have tried several degreaser and cleaning agents, but have not been terribly pleased with the results.

The car is a stock '84 Carrera, and I am looking forward to getting her cleaned up and looking good. Here are a couple shots of the fan.





This site is a terrific resource for us newbies, than you for your assistance.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by Wags61

I recently purchased my first 911, and while the car is mechanically in pretty good shape, I have been working on the interior leather and general aesthetics. In cleaning the engine, I have tried several degreaser and cleaning agents, but have not been terribly pleased with the results.

The car is a stock '84 Carrera, and I am looking forward to getting her cleaned up and looking good. Here are a couple shots of the fan.





This site is a terrific resource for us newbies, than you for your assistance.

Remove fanbelt , remove fan (noting the number of shims in front of & behind the pulley) and spend a pleasant evening with firstly steel wool/fine wet and dry sandpaper - and then metal polish. You will have to repolish it from time to time but after the first effort it gets easier.

Same deal with fan shroud/strap which can be left in place. I clean up all wool debris with a magnetic afterwards.

Of course you can go all crazy and paint the whole shebang!

[GaryR]

The fan and shroud come off fairly easily and with some light bead blasting and paint can be made to look new. Really dresses up and otherwise dreary engine for starters! Eastwood makes a nice silver (Argent Silver I believe) that looks great..

[_Remi]

Hi,

Exact same situation here, 84 Carrera with a lot of miles

I played with some steel wool (000) and WD-40 on one corner of the fan, great improvement, I cannot wait to take it off and clean it completely!

Cheers,

[Workhorse]

Fellas,
I was actually wondering the exact same thing as well. Thanks for the information. If I had the fan off, would media blasting (soda, bead or walnut media) then powdercoating be OK? I don't want to do anything to compromise the cooling/operating function of the fan itself or any other component(s) in or around it.

On a side note, while washing the engine bay is there anything to keep an eye out for or keep away from with water/degreaser/soap? I apologize for the pseudo-thread hijack by the way.

Thanks for the information. This forum is really helpful for a newbie like me, you guys are terrific!

Ross

[Evans, Marv]

There are lots of threads on engine cleaning and fan/housing treatments. A search will yield lots. For powdercoating the fan & housing, whoever does it will have to machine the ends of the fan blades down enough for the coating to clear the housing. Otherwise they will interfere with each other when you assemble them.

[mrm930]

Same thing here with one exception. The fan is magnesium, even though if polishes up like aluminum (with ALOT of work), it will tarnish again. If you polish it, have it powder coated clear. It will stay that way without more re-polishing.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by Workhorse

Fellas,
I was actually wondering the exact same thing as well. Thanks for the information. If I had the fan off, would media blasting (soda, bead or walnut media) then powdercoating be OK? I don't want to do anything to compromise the cooling/operating function of the fan itself or any other component(s) in or around it.

On a side note, while washing the engine bay is there anything to keep an eye out for or keep away from with water/degreaser/soap? I apologize for the pseudo-thread hijack by the way.

Thanks for the information. This forum is really helpful for a newbie like me, you guys are terrific!

Ross

Main thing is not to damage the fan (don't drop it on concrete, don't use power tools etc - it's quite soft metal and easy to shine with a bit of muscle). It's also expensive. When repainting , the coating must not be too thick else it will hit the fan housing (you will note there is very little gap).

There are some potential issues with magnesium dominated alloys., including flammability of the powder and change in strength with heat. See Cobalt's comments http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/964-forum/485312-magnesium-content-of-engine-fan-2.html

As far as cleaning the engine bay , some won't allow water anywhere near their engines ; as long as you tie a plastic bag around the electricals (distributor cap , leads ,CDI ignition module) and over the carbs (if it has them) you will be fine. Harsh alkaline soaps will etch/pit the metal. Solvents are flammable and some e.g. brake cleaner harsh , toxic and flammable .

Kerosene and a toothbrush/plastic scraper will get rid of most built up grunge , then use soap and hot water. Obviously some components are easier to clean when removed. Depends how clean you want it to be!

These engines have been used in thousands of rallies and other harsh conditions - and are pretty immune to water/rain . Hitting the open compartment with a hot soapy car wash nozzle may not be wise. Afterwards your car may decide it doesn't want to start!

Generally after an engine bath I start the car and drive it for 5km or so to ensure it dries out. If it's a daily drive you don't want to find out it's electrically dead just before you leave for work.

Once you get an engine clean it's not that much work to give it a once over with a soapy rag from time to time.

Good luck - and post before and after pics!

[Wags61]

Thank you for this information gentlemen. This site is an invaluable resource!

[cmcfaul]

I have found regular, hi heat paint does not last very long (chips) Powder coating is the way to go. May have to sand down the ends a bit if it touches the housing.

Chris
73 911 E

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Hi Wags61

The one negative thing I recall having been posted in previous threads re: cleaning cooling fan/shroud is; using steel wool should be avoided as minute pieces will embed themselves in those parts (especially a metal like magnesium)and will show up later as rust spots. I think you'd be better off using a non-ferrous type of brush or scotch-brite pads & something like "Mothers Metal Polish". Also, as noted by others, the cleaned parts will re-tarnish unless you paint or have them powder-coated. Welcome & Good luck.

Cheers
JB

[RWebb]

Stroking the fan every day with Gibbs will make it look nice