Engine Cleaning Options

Tonyakavw · 03-14-2003, 09:54 AM

I have my engine and transmission out of my car now and want to clean it. I have managed to get most of the gunk off with several cans of stuff including carb cleaner and foaming engine bright. There are still some solidified chunks of oil/grease/dirt on it, (I spent a lot of time with a screwdriver chipping some of it off) and I'd really like to get the engine really clean before I do something like put it back in the car, or take off the heads etc.

Any reccomendations on a good way to really clean the engine nicely?

-Tony

Zeke · 03-14-2003, 04:43 PM

Full strength Simple Green works pretty good and lacquer thinner disolves most anything, but you have to do what you are doing and scrape/wire brush the bulk of the mung off.

tod914 · 03-20-2003, 09:47 PM

If you go with one of those degreasers, gunk or citrious cleaners, chances are you will oxidize/tarnish the metal. Steam clean it if you can.

Peter_Hinkle · 03-20-2003, 10:27 PM

Tony, also keep in mind that if the transaxle is still connected to the engine, there are certain cleaners that can permenantly damage the transaxle case if used improperly and even some that will damage it if used at all. For some reason, i can't remember which ones they are off the top of my head but they are all in the same group of chemicals...Just an FYI..peter

Tonyakavw · 03-20-2003, 11:28 PM

What is involved in steam cleaning? I have heard of this but don't know much about it.

Regarding the case of the transaxle: I'd like to find out more about this. As far as I can tell, the transaxle housing is aluminum, probably some crappy casting alloy. Im' wondering if maybe the damage occurs if solvent gets inside the tranny itself and mixes with the gear oil??????

-Tony

maf 914 · 03-21-2003, 04:55 AM

I've been doing some serious cleaning with the engine out and I've found that sometimes you just have to repeatedly soak with a degreaser and brush, scrape, pick, etc. to get some of the old crusted, baked on deposits off. Nasty work, but after years of oil leaks and use that's what is required. Be sure to wear gloves and don't let caustic cleaners remain on your skin for extended periods. (I learned this the hard way!)

Mike

airkwld · 03-21-2003, 05:52 AM

When my wife it out of the house I sneak her steam cleaner out to the driveway and clean engine and everything else I have time to. Follow link to the Polti cleaner we have, they are pricey but it cleans everything.

http://www.parish-supply.com/vaporetto.htm

JB

Brant · 03-21-2003, 06:32 AM

Tony,

go buy a half dozen cans of brake cleaner.. (instead of carb cleaner)....

brant

Zeke · 03-21-2003, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by airkwld
When my wife it out of the house I sneak her steam cleaner out to the driveway and clean engine and everything else I have time to. Follow link to the Polti cleaner we have, they are pricey but it cleans everything.

JB

Really. I have seen those things and I was impressed. Yes, they are expensive. Sort of a low pressure, though. Does it just melt the dirt off? There's nothing like old fashioned steam cleaning. The state of CA has all but outllawed their use at detail shops.

odie · 03-21-2003, 07:00 AM

Try Coke (or any cola product). I've heard that Coca-Cola mechanics uses their own product to clean their vehicle engines. Myth has it that if you drop a nail in a class of Coke, it will dissolve in a few days. Apparently Coke is very acidic, or something like that.

Never actually tried it though...

airkwld · 03-21-2003, 07:50 AM

Zeke,

The pressure is great, we have never had to turn it all the way up. It really cleans, I ues the steam wand to get into tight places.
Best of all, no chemicals. They make attachments for window cleaning and upholstery. You should see what it does to our Gas Grill, makes it look brand new.

JB

JWest · 03-21-2003, 07:56 AM

The transaxle case is magnesium, not aluminum.

Do not use Gunk "Engine Brite" on aluminum or magnesium.

I like Simple Green and brake clean for the real tough stuff.

03-21-2003, 08:02 AM

When I had my engine and tranny out I tried several things to clean up some really gookey nasty parts. first I tried two cans of engine bright in an aeresol can, kept the tranny wet for a couple days to help lift up the 1/4" or more of crud. didn't work too great. Tried carb cleaner, brake cleaner - they didn't do a very good job. then I got a 1 gallon jug of Castrol Super clean and used that full strength (they say to dilute it for use). that stuff is amazing on what it will remove, spray it on & let it sit - make sure they stay wet with the cleaner & not dry - and do this for most of the day & then try spraying it clean, or scrubbing it with a scrubrush. My transmission looks like new, and before it looked like a petrified turd. Oh yeah, wear gloves because it does such a good job of removing oils and grease that it will remove all the oil from your hands and they will peel really bad after a few days.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

WD-40 helps on stubborn dirt/grease, then Simple Green or a citruus-based cleaner for after that.

From your Friendly Neighborhood Pelican Technical Articles section--
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/concours_corner/concours_corner-6.htm
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/concours_corner/concours_corner-7.htm

--DD

maf 914 · 03-21-2003, 08:56 AM

Castrol Super Clean is very effective, but it is also very caustic (its a base as opposed to an acid) and will do a number on exposed skin. Your hands were not peeling because it removed the oil from the skin, but because it literally chemically burns the tissue. Read the instructions on the container: "Avoid contact with bare skin". Wear gloves!

Mike

03-21-2003, 09:04 AM

WTF? My hands are now a lot slimmer and have never been cleaner haHA!

maf 914 · 03-21-2003, 09:58 AM

Plastic surgeons make a living stripping a few layers of old skin to give people that youthful complexion, but I don't think they use Castrol Super Cleaner!

Mike

Jared at Pelican Parts · 03-21-2003, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by odie
Try Coke (or any cola product). I've heard that Coca-Cola mechanics uses their own product to clean their vehicle engines. Myth has it that if you drop a nail in a class of Coke, it will dissolve in a few days. Apparently Coke is very acidic, or something like that.

Never actually tried it though...

This is true. Coke has a incredible amount of phosphorus in it. Just use Coke mixed with some baking soda, you get a nice foaming cleanser. There are better ways to clean things though

Jared at Pelican Parts · 03-21-2003, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by maf 914
Castrol Super Clean is very effective, but it is also very caustic (its a base as opposed to an acid) and will do a number on exposed skin. Your hands were not peeling because it removed the oil from the skin, but because it literally chemically burns the tissue. Read the instructions on the container: "Avoid contact with bare skin". Wear gloves!

Mike

I second this as well. I have the burn scars to prove it.

karlp · 03-21-2003, 01:14 PM

Last time I had mine out I took it all, still bolted together, engine -transmission- exhaust, to the local DIY car wash and used their high pressure wand. No longer allowed in CA?

Karl P.