Quite a task!!!!

[Poor-sche Lover]

I am currently in the process of cleaning the engine/transmission on my 914. I need a good, cheap way to get rid of thirty years of road grime/transmission grease/oil/blood/overall crap off the aluminum case without scratching it up too much. So far, I have been using GUNK and a putty knife. It's very slow going. Also, you should know, the engine and transmission are separated at this point, so an acid bath is out of the question. Can someone help me out?

[Rouser]

Let's see ... I think it took me 'bout 4 (or was it, 5?) cans of engine degreaser (your flavor), a handful of plastic detailing brushes (various lengths/widths/shapes), quarter-roll of quarters, and a nocturnal visit to my nearby car pressure washer (they get a bit testy about you muddin' your crap car parts, damn it). Oh, and don't forget the liberal dose of slow-going elbow grease; dose of Advil will clear it right up.

No easy/cheaper/pay-someone-else-to-get-dirty way of doing it. My tranny wasn't concours-winning in appearance, but at least I could lick on it, and it sur' was purdy and cleeen!

[bhfast]

I just did mine the last today. castrol super clean(purple bottle). I just used it straight with out diluting it. spray it on let it sit for 15-30 mine hose off, repeat as nesesary. BTW gat the big bottle, only about $5
Brian

[nutzforporsche]

I also used the castrol cleaner. I went and got some rubber plugs to water tight the intakes "F.I was off" and other holes and then rented a steam genie, that really boils the gunk off. My cases come out looking sharp.

Steve
73' 2.0 Rayco Bodies Teener
75' 2.0 Parts car

[Loan Dog]

I'm pretty sure the trans case is magnesium, not aluminum. Once you get all the "Road Mope" off, the scaley, crusty stuff is magnesium oxide build-up.

[nutzforporsche]

Don,
I have never found a great way to clean up the tranny cases from all that magnesium build up. Have you found a way chemically or otherwise to make them look nice?

Steve
73' 2.0 Rayco Bodied Teener
75' Parts car

[bhfast]

I did my tranny with the castrol stuff too, looks pretty good.JMHO
Brian

[3D914]

Poor-sche Lover,

The "cheapest" and "best" method I know of is heavy duty "Easy-Off" oven cleaner. It works best if the parts are warm (I would set them in the Phoenix sun), but it reduces the scrubbing and works well for that real nasty caked on stuff. Spray it on generously, let stand for 10-15 minutes, then either brush or hose off.

Sounds like fun! Not.

[Loan Dog]

About the only way I've used to get rid of the magnesium oxide scale is a two step process:

First step requires building arm strength. I use the "12 0z Curl" method. The beauty is you can "work out" while performing step two.

Step Two: wire brush the snot out of the scaley b*****d!

Don

[rich]

After I scrape the case I use carb cleaner. Very slick.

[douglas robbins]

Be aware that while the oxidation on the magnesium case may look ugly, it actually protects the metal. Unlike steel/iron rust that continues to eat the metal, once the magnesium oxidizes a little, that scale then protects the rest of the metal underneath. Removing the scale removes the protection. It's not a big deal as the case (unless you seal it) will just then re-oxidize; but be aware, beyond just cleaning the grime, you're not getting any performance/longevity value out of "Easy-Offing" the oxidation off the case.

Douglas

[nutzforporsche]

Well then I'll leave my tranny alone then. My car sets so low to the ground, no one could slide their arm in much less their head.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Be sure to be careful and wear gloves when using degreasers. A lot of them are caustic and can cause skin burns.


Ask me how I know...