Cleaning Engines: the easy way

Hey guys,

Had to clean the innerds of the LA before I put it back together - lots of little chunks of old hard oil, rust, wheat, etc. But, how to do it without taking the crank and cam out? Decided to use the car wash - the do it yourself kind. Used soap first, then clean water - worked GREAT and the inside is clean as a whistle (which I never knew why it would be clean with all that spit in there...). Took it home, sat it in front of the salamander heater for 1/2 hour to dry it out, worked great! Much easier, faster, cleaner than using solvent and a brush, etc. Plus, that spray shoots into places I could never get.

Norm

norm what kind of soap did you use, and how did you apply it

Norm, That's the way to do it BUT if you make a habit of it the manger of the carwash will but a stop to it Has to do with the surage system.There a high prussure washer that runs off a small gae engine that puts out 2000 psi and you can put soap in it as the car washer system. Vern.Barker

Norm, high pressure hot. soapy water does wonders when it comes to cleaning old engines and parts. I broke down and bought a commercial pressure cleaner a couple years ago, and it sure makes cleaning much easier. They are kind of pricey, but worth it! There are many other uses for them, as well. John

Hi Norm Just one thing to remember the pressure washer also forces water in and oil out where you dont want it to so remember to make sure you force oil back into the cam and main bearings before turnig it over much.

You think that if I put an engine in the back of my pick up and drive through an automatic car wash, the engine will come out clean?

The expiance Ive had with them your pickup will not even be clean

The thing about pressure washers is that you have to be careful with them. The same pressure that blasts away grease, etc. will also blow away paint and decals. If you plan on repainting the engine, fine. BUT, if you want to preserve the original finish, be careful that you don't wash it away.

I've had good luck using a garden hose and spray nozzle. The pressure isn't quite as high, but can still do some damamge if you aren't careful.

Over the past few months, I have read quite a lot on cleaning engines on this board. Why hasn't anyone mentioned a STEAMCLEANER. They work great and your local shop might do it for you for nothing. There is nothing like HOT steam to cut the rust, grime, grease and dirt. I use mine at least 2 times a week and the local farmers love me for it. Doesn't pay for them to do it themselves.

Just a thought,

Jim

Hi Jim,

I agree totally!!! when I was in New Zealand I had two engines I was to export back to Australia, I had to get them steam cleaned before customs would let me export them out of the country and provide a certificate from the steam cleaning company who did it.

They came up fantastic also it drew so much attention from passers by wondering what the hell they where cleaning I got given two other engines!!!

Instead of picking up professionals (women or men which ever way you are inclinded) at the car wash if we take our engines there during the busy part of the day we might encure a domino effect where we keep comming back each week to wash the engines we where given last week!!

NOW THATS A PLAN!!!

Kindest Regards,

Adam

Adam

Thanks for the backup on the idea of steamcleaning. You know, now you owe me one of those FREE engines.

Jim

Hey Jim,

The pleasure is mine!! however its not an idea IT WORKS!!! TRIED AND TESTED, well Jim if get some more im running out of space in the shed (theres 30 now) i might need to remove some ill keep you in mind!!

Adam

Hey Steve,

After getting it dry in front of the salamander, the first thing I did was oil EVERYTHING inside. I spent the next 4 hours or so reassembling the engine and when I got it together, filled it with oil and fired it up. I let it run for almost an hour to get good and hot to dry out and make sure oil was everywhere inside so I wouldn't rust anything. It's all ready for show season now!

Norm

Hi Norm,

I would agree that your engine is as ready as any engine could be BUT they won't start or run well until they are back home from the show!

How many times have you seen this happen?I sure do get a lot of suggestions and comments as to what I should do when this happens.

Ed Kinch

Im sorry I guess using ATF is a NO NO

When restoring Maytags, my son and I found that putting the parts in the dishwasher worked great. But don't let the wife catch you. If she suspects something, deny, deny, deny!

Gary, in the dishwasher? My hat's off to you, you are indeed a very brave man. If I did that, I would BE the permanent dishwasher. Later.

Hello, if you ever have access to a commercial dishwasher (when it is not in the kitchen, doubt the healt department would like it), I would try using that. We are moving to a new restaurant, and in my driveway sits a low temp., single phase dishwasher. I am not sure what my father would do if he saw or heard the thing running in the driveway, especially with engine parts inside. I am sure this thing could fit a normal size 11/2hp engine in it; two tray dishwasher. I think I will try it, if my father doesn't mind. Looks like he is getting a new Hobart anyways .

I have had extremely good luck with the 99 cent cans of oven cleaner from the dollar store. Be sure to wash with soap and water immediately afterwards and try not to let it dry on bare metal or it will flash rust a lot faster. If the surface is to be painted, I use Metal Wash from Eastwood Company after the oven cleaner which will somewhat treat the metal and prevent flash rust for a day. Normally I dry the parts with compressed air on a nice day and then paint. I have not had any problems with these methods and they are cheap. Oven cleaner, wire brushes, and some scrapers...

That procedure should only be done the first day of a timeframe when the wife is away at a professional convention or seminar that will last at least 5 days. That gives you sufficient time to fill the dishwasher with dirty dishes, so you can start the dishwasher the day she is returning. When she arrives, it's a good move to apologize for not having had a chance to put the clean dishes away. If followed religeously, this procedure will prevent husbandside, at least once, especially if you remember to tell her you just put dirty dishes in the machine while she was away.