Can i use WD-40 to rinse my engine, as in the piston and the contra rod? and Can i use gun oil to lubricate the engine if i'm not going to use tt for a long time ?

I would not suggest WD40 for your engine. One of the best ways to clean the engine is to remove the plug and immerse the entire engine in fuel. If you are going to disassemble the engine just remove the back plate and plug before you dunk it. Drain thoroughly. If you have a compressor blow dry with air at low pressure. Use a good after-run oil on all parts. If you plan to store the engine for an extended period be sure you have oiled all parts thoroughly, and periodically,every two or three months, turn it over with the plug removed. If there is the least bit of resistance to free turning go back to step one and repeat the process. If your engine turns dark on the exterior due to burned on varnish check with your hobby shop for an exterior cleaner. If the outside coating is very heavy your engine is running too hot. If this is due to a cowling open the air outlet so that it is at least three times the size of the inlet opening.

WD-40 is actually slightly corrosive...

I would advise against soaking in Glo fuel, as it's hydroscopic (attracts water) so, you never really get it [water] all out, and you'll eventually get some rustiing. Not to mention the cost! Use regular gasoline, or kerosine. Just do it outside / in a well ventilated area! Don't use Acetone, as it'll eat away at the aluminum.

The best I've found / been told, is to dissassembly the engine as best / much as you can, and dunk the parts in Ethyl Glycol (Antifreeze) which is lightly heated in a crock pot (Don't use teh crock pot after this though!!!). Submerse them parts for a few hours, like, over night! Don't do the plastic parts and rubber O-Rings thogh, as the antifreeze will likely distort them. Tooth brush and some soap is best..

Pull them out, rinse with warm water and let dry. Warming them up (oven on low for a few minutes) garuantees the water evaporates. When re-assembling the engine, use a light machine oil. Be generouse on the bearings!

Wrap the engine up, bag it, and add one of those dessicant packets ( the little 'Do not eat' packets you get with electronics) to the bag, and seal it up!

Kerosine makes a good wash medium. After cleaning and reassembling, use any good after run oil like any airtool oil, Rislone, AFT etc. Do not use WD40 or a light weight oil like sewing machine oil unless you are going to immediately run the engine. Pain old denatured alchohol also will work to clean it initially. Believe it or not, hot soapy water works very well also, just oil well immediately after cleaning.

Wogz was just kidding about using the crock pot, and the oven. Next he'll tell you to wash the engine in the kitchen sink[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Really the gasoline or kerosene will do a great job. The kerosene will leave a film of protection too.

actually the crockpot/antifreeze method is one of the best and easiest methods to use.The engines come out looking like new.

Got to agree. The crockpot and antifreeze method is the best I have ever come across to spruce up an engine.

I use enough antifreeze so the engine is well submerged. Put the pot on the low setting and let it work overnight.

The next day a good brushing with a toothbrush or any fairly stiff small brush is all that is needed to get an engine in like new shape.

The only down side I have found so far is that I have had to buy my wife a new crockpot when she found out where hers went.

OK guys! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] You win! Crockpot and antifreeze has more votes. I really enjoyed that soup and pot roast better.
Now about that toothbrush, my wife put her foot down there. Her tooth brush is not going into any combustion chamber.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] I hope Wal Mart has a sale on STIFF toothbrushes! NO![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Better yet! I'll fly ELECTRIC![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Hit the Village du Valuer (Value Village) or teh Sally Ann (Salvation Army) for eh crock pot. Second hand is good enough!

Or, buy her / yourself a new one, bigger, with more features, for more stew / chilli / etc to take to teh feild on these cold days!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

As for tooth brushes, you should buy a new one every three months. And when you're buying one, buy one each for the wife and kids, and one for each airplane, and one for the feild box... Some dollar stores have really cheepy cheepy ones, like the brand 'Orient B' a freind recently got!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]


Oh, and a steel strainer, so you don't have to 'swim & fish' for teh various parts..

I recently saw an engine cleaned in a crock pot.. It looked brand new.. I have never had the nerve to steal my wife's crock pot but the next garage sale, I will have one.. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

You can buy them at walmart for less then $20