Degrease Exhaust? Oil spill

[benzor]

So I recently has a cam gasket failure, that leaked oil onto the exhaust. The new gasket is in, but in the process, I spilled even more oil on the exhaust. I've toweled it off, but wondering if I should spray a bunch of degreaser on the exhaust, in the hopes of preventing it from catching on fire when I start the car.

It seems like a question of what is more flammable!

[mikepellegrini]

Yeah, you can do that. Brake Clean works particularly well, but you have to be careful to keep it from getting on rubber or plastic. Let it sit for an hour maybe before starting the car - the stuff is really volatile so it evaporates pretty quick.

But what I usually do is just let it burn off. You can have a fire extinguisher handy, for peace of mind.

The exhaust heats gradually so - hopefully - it'll burn off without burning up...

[Kiantone]

Is this the cork gasket? Is there not a better more durable material? /is cork used because of the low torque of the bolts?

[Techno Duck]

I just let it burn off (with a fire extinguisher handy).. most will go away at idle but will continue to smoke a few miles also. The n/a headers arent too bad as they dont soak up the oil like the asbestos insulation on the 951 headers.



LR does make a foam covered metal gasket for the rear cam tower that works pretty well if you want a replacement to the original cork gasket

[benzor]

Thanks guys - I was replacing the primary cam gasket (runs the length of the engine), not the rear gasket that was cork.

She burned for a long time. For reference, the burning when I had the headers out for be welded up was maybe 3-5 minutes, but she took a solid 20 today.

TechnoDuck, that picture was a great reference!

[mytrplseven]

Hey, Duck. If I had know you were having a barbque.....