how do you clean with a crockpot?  
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how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/16/2003 11:12:22 PM   
thordoggydog



Posts: 59
Joined: 7/29/2003
From: pella, IA, USA
Status: offline 		I read somewhere that you can clean the engines with a crockpot system. Can anyone tell me exactly what to use and how to do it. I have some engines that are really getting "ugly". Thanks
       Post #: 1

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/16/2003 11:43:30 PM   
Jerkey



Posts: 207
Joined: 5/22/2002
From: Streator, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Well you start with an old crock pot you do not ever intend to cook food with again. Take your glow plug out and remove your muffler. If you want you can remove your head too (I would). It is up to you how far you take your engine down. You put enough antifreeze in the crock pot to completely submerge your engine. Set it on LOW and let it cook for at least 24 hours. I have gone as long as 3 days before which is fine. I don't think there is a limit to cooking time. Hope this helps.

Good Luck,

Mike

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 2

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/16/2003 11:45:51 PM   
caz



Posts: 35
Joined: 9/7/2003
From: long beach, MS, USA
Status: offline 		Works well on mufflers also.

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 3

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 12:05:07 AM   
clm2206


 

Posts: 22
Joined: 12/16/2002
From: Lima, PERU
Status: offline 		Wow. Three days? I think you should have additional antifreeze to replace the evaporated liquid. I´ve heard brake fluid works fine too. It is true?

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 4

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 1:19:03 AM   
maxtenet



Posts: 707
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: Towson, MD, USA
Status: offline 		I can't believe that people still do this! Its the equivalent of hand writing and mailing a letter instead of using email. Just buy one of the commercial products expressly designed for cleaning engines (demon clean , engine bright, etc,etc.) They work very well and take only minutes compared to this anachronistic crap with the Crotch pot. Look in any R/C magazine for the ads.

Besides, the pot roast tastes funny afterwards.

Max

(in reply to clm2206)
       Post #: 5

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 2:15:11 AM   
Jerkey



Posts: 207
Joined: 5/22/2002
From: Streator, IL, USA
Status: offline 		I've used my share of the engine cleaners on the market. I will put my money on the crock pot method any time. All I can say is it makes em look like new.

Mike

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 6

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 3:09:26 AM   
coloradoz



Posts: 177
Joined: 8/13/2002
From: evergreen, CO, USA
Status: offline 		I second that one with the crock pot - I had a YS60FR that was castor-stained, and castor-locked solid from years of sitting around, I tried every over-the-counter medication that I could to get my hands on to free this thing up and get it cleaned - Nothing, I mean nothing worked. I tried soaking, brushing, praying, etc - as was ready to throw this thing away. Until.....

I read about the crock pot method. I soaked it for about 3 days, and not only was it loosened, it was cleaned and looked like new - just don't get it too hot - there are some reports out there of some minor discoloration of the Aluminum (may slightly darken according to some) on some brands of engines ( I think on K&B's - but someone will have to check me on this) - but if it is a YS, it will make it like new. In general, AF is very friendly with Aluminum and internal seals, as it was designed for continuous high temp operation with internal parts very similar to what we use to power our planes. I'm not so sure that the new chemicals would be very friendly to internal needle valve seals, etc. I used the 'green' stuff vis the 'pink' stuff. Actually, since we get a lot of sun here - and also since I am emotionally attached to my crock pot - I put my motor in an old coffee can, put the lid on it and let the sun cook it - it was at a relatively low temp compared to what a crock pot can do - around 100 degrees for most of the days on my deck - and it simply soaked in the solution at night. It came out spotless, absolutely spotless.

The staining was gone after a day. There was an 'oil slick' on the top of the solution and the surface residue simply comes right off. The un-freezing of the motor took longer.

Cook it in a well ventilated area - meaning don't do this indoors, in the wife's kitchen, etc - keep it away from pets, kids, etc - as the fumes are somewhat toxic, and also don't ever use the crock pot again for cooking - it will forever be your parts cleaning pot.

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 7

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 3:47:58 AM   
Wingdinger Don



Posts: 17
Joined: 6/30/2002
From: Felton, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Maxtenet: C'mon!!!! You can't be serious!!! I find it hard to believe that you have tried this method and don't agree with it! I have tried the "other" cleaners and although they worked OK, I still had to scrub and brush to get good results. (Not to mention the cost) The crock pot method is by far the best I have ever tried. It is completely effortless and the results are absolutely second to none. We are not talking about just good or so-so, we are talking about SPOTLESS as in LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW clean. Do you own stock in one of these cleaner companies? Or, are you commenting on something you have never tried? You are certainly the first person I have ever encountered who has negative comments on the crock pot.

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 8

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 12:52:58 PM   
Steve Campbell


 

Posts: 4195
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Zachary, LA, USA
Status: offline 		I just bought a 61 FSR off eBay. The outside is clean, but the piston has felony castor stains.

I have tried various "external" cleaning methods before on helicopter mufflers. The best has been "Low-Odor Aircraft Stripper", designed to take paint off of aluminum. It works well, but still leaves tiny specks and spots in the grain of the metal. I was going to do the FSR internals with this stuff, until I saw this thread. I've been reading about the crock pot method for years, but have never had an engine sufficiently grungy to try it. This FSR qualifies...

So, any recommendations on what KIND of crock pot? I've heard all the suggestions about finding one at a garage sale, etc. I have neither the time nor the inclination to visit a garage sale. I assume one can find an el cheapo at Wally World. What should I look for?

There are several different types of antifreeze. Is there any particular one to avoid?

Steve

(in reply to Wingdinger Don)
       Post #: 9

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 3:25:34 PM   
maxtenet



Posts: 707
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: Towson, MD, USA
Status: offline 		I never said it didn't work. Its just that I have had excellent results without having to go through all that. I recently cleaned a Forster .29 that hadn't been used in years with Z-Best and it looks brand new. To each his own!

Max

(in reply to Steve Campbell)
       Post #: 10

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 3:44:28 PM   
coloradoz



Posts: 177
Joined: 8/13/2002
From: evergreen, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Hello Steve, I don't think it much matters, but make sure you get an AF that is intended for use with Aluminum motors. I got some called Sierra (I got it at Wally World), it is phosphate free and is rated for use with Aluminum block motors and worked great for me. In terms of a crock pot, just about anything will work. I didn't even use a crock - just don't boil your motor - a suggest a slow simmer

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 11

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 3:46:02 PM   
DaleCS



Posts: 51
Joined: 8/28/2002
From: Novi, MI, USA
Status: offline 		If you know someone in Amway or Quixtar, try their IndustroClean (IC) product. Its slow (may take a few days), but its safe to handle (don't get in your eyes, though), doesn't require any heat and doesn't ruin your cooking appliances.

I just put the engine in a plastic cup, cover it with IC and leave it sit. Brushing the gunk as it loosens up helps speed the process.

No, its not fast. But the fast product I used before should only have been used outside or with a respirator - probably explains why its not on the market any more. Also, this IndustroClean won't dry up/evaporate while its sitting on the shelf like the old product I used to before.

I'm not in Amway or Quixtar, so don't send me any orders! Haven't checked in awhile - there may now be a way to order directly without being a member or going through a member.

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 12

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 4:29:17 PM   
rctrax



Posts: 597
Joined: 5/11/2002
From: Mosinee, WI, USA
Status: offline 		I have tried the comercial engine cleaning products and have not found any that work. the crook pot works great. I use antifreeze for water sysyems in campers and have good results and it's not toxic.Auto antifreeze might work better thro, but I hsven't tried it so cannot say.

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 13

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 10:06:09 PM   
Wingdinger Don



Posts: 17
Joined: 6/30/2002
From: Felton, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Max,
I also use the "other" type commercial cleaners on minor dirt when I don't want to take the engine off the plane. So, I agree that they have their place. I didn't mean to imply that they weren't any good. But when I want really clean, inside and out, I go with the antifreeze.

Steve,
There is a type of anti-freeze that is safer (less toxic) than others. Sorry, but I'm not sure which is which. I learned about that on this forum back when I purchased it but I no longer have the original container. Maybe someone else can respond to this. I do have a couple of pointers that I have learned "the hard way" 1. Use the low setting on most crock pots to just kind of simmer the anti-freeze. 2. Make sure the parts are fully submerged. Otherwise, they will clean unevenly. 3. I don't know if it's necessary, but I remove the O-ring from the carb. Some people have suggested that the anti-freeze may not be good for certain types of rubber but when you think about it, water pumps on cars have rubber seals, so who knows?I look at it as better safe than sorry. 4. Do not remove the lid while cooking to check on the engine. Inhaling the steam can't be good for you. Instead, turn the crock pot off and let it cool before removing the parts. I made the mistake once of removing the lid while it was still steaming only to find out a few hours after that the steam created a haze in my basement and when it settled a few hours later, I had a film of antifreeze over every horizontal surface in my work space....what a mess. Again....let it cool and you won't have this problem. Better yet, if possible do it in a garage or outside in a carport or something. 5. Flush the engine out with kerosene, alcohol or somthing of the like to rid it of the antifreeze. Then, lubricate with after run oil. I think you will be very happy with the results as this cleans both the inside and outside of an engine to "like new" clean without the need for scrubbing or using abrasives.

Don

(in reply to thordoggydog)
       Post #: 14

RE: how do you clean with a crockpot? - 10/17/2003 10:20:37 PM