Hey guys, what type of cleaning agents do you use when your doing a teardown O/H on the motor. I have used a few types but wanted to see what other items out there.
Use the same stuff they use on aircraft that is the only solvent allowed by the FAA, as it is harmless to anything on or around the engine. Stoddard solvent, or mineral spirits. Its almost non-flammable, and it dries and leaves no residue. You can even buy a air gun that will siphon up solvent and you can spray it on the engine and wash it down. Works really good. But you may still need to get in with rags and brushes on any thick greasy areas. Mineral spirits is pretty inexpensive if you find the right store.
thanks, I have used acid with a ph of 9 its worked really great, the problem with using this on metal is that it eats up the metal but the oil is completely removed. The items you described are available at any avation store ???
Acid has pH < 7. pH > 7 is alkaline. Both are water based, and not the best stuff for hydrocarbons. If it corroded metal, it was likely acid; although some metals are sensitive to alkalis. Hydrocarbon solvents like Stoddards work on hydrocarbons. Although they degrease well, avoid chlorinated hydrocarbons like perchlorethylene.
ok. Thanks for the 411. When breaking down a motor I have used acid to clean out the passages where the oil was so baked on that wouldnt come off, and this was with even using a parts washer.
I use acetone to do the final cleaning before final assemble. Absolutely NO oil residue left after a good acetone cleaning. Darrell.
Aluminum and magnesium alloys should only be cleaned with neutral pH7 solvents like hydrocarbons (mineral spirits, paint thinner, or my favorite citrus oil degreaser.) The citrus oils being mostly hydrocarbon oils squeezed from fruit (orange or lemon peels) are natural, harmless, and good smelling. The only drawback is they all will burn in the presence of a flame. FIRE hazard if not careful working with large quantities in a closed area.
Simple clean is some good **** for your whole ride, no oil, no ammonia, no acid. Its a Concentrated D'limonine based cleaner that you dilute. Works awesome, and is non toxic with free shipping. Very well known in the Dog and Cat show world, also now beginning to become VERY popular in FMCA and other RV associations. Http://www.simpleclean.org
I use either mineral spirits, or mostly these days, Solve-All citrus solvent which is made for parts cleaning. For really tough problems that they don't handle, I try lacquer thinner, brake cleaner, or NAPA Aluminum Cleaner which is acid based, but does a great job on rough cast Al surfaces with years of baked-on buildup.
