Can anyone recommend a good engine cleaner that will dissolve burned on varnish ?

Dawn Power Disolve spray from the supermarket kitchen cleanser aisle, or automotive atifreeze in a crockpot. Do a search here on RCU for how to.

This works for me. I had the best luck with this brand out of a couple others.

+1 on what spaceworm said.
I have cleaned some really funky,nasty,dirty engines with the Dawn and it makes them look good as new. The crockpot method works well too, you will need to disassemble your engine to remove any plastic or rubber parts from it first though. I would recommend replacing the bearings after you clean it with the crockpot method. DO NOT plan on ever using the crockpot again for Human food!!
Also, should you have any pets around while you are using the antifreeze method , DO NOT let them get anywhere near the crockpot. Dogs/cats are sometimes attracted to the sweet smell of the antifreeze and shoud they drink it, it will kill them.

If you are just trying to clean the outside of your engine such as the crackcase and carb , I would say the DPD would be the least effort with the best results. Get you a stiff old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies after you let the Dawn sit on there for a little bit. I think you will be pleased with the results.
JMc

+2 on the Dawn Power Dissolver if you are just cleaning the outside of your engine and muffler.

jetpac:

I've never cleaned a engine before and have several which could use a good cleaning. How hard is it using your method ? The Aircraft Coating Remover looks intriguing. Does this have to be ordered specially, or where can it be obtained commercially ?


Spaceworm:

Using the Dawn Power Dissolver spray, What procedure is used in using this product to clean a engine ?


Cary

For the Power Dissolver, just sray it on your engine and let it sit for 30 mins. Then take a old tooth brush and give a scrubbing. Plug up you openings and rinse it under the faucet. If you have some real stubburn spots you could try a soft (vesy soft) wire brush.

Read thread here on RCU on engine cleaning. Follow Dawn PD mfr directions. Close off all openings of engine. Spray Dawn PD liberally on affected areas. Let stand no more than 30 minutes (engine caastings may turn darker grey if left longer) Scrub with stiff toothbrush (don't brush teeth with this one again). Rinse off with hot water. Dry thoroughly inside and out with hot air blower. Rinse with alcohol. Lube liberally with afterrun oil or Marvel Mystery Air Tool Oil or ATF, turning engine over by hand to insure oil gets everywhere in engine, including bearings. As always no intended or expressed warranty for suitablility of this methed for your application is expressed. Good luck

Quick and easy for castor baked-on mufflers..... simply use the wire wheel on your bench grinder. Does it scratch the aluminum? No, just polishes it up nicely BECAUSE you must purchase the SOFT wire wheel. Look closely and they have the soft one right next to the normal or hard one. I got mine at Ace Hardware but they are available anywhere.

Ernie Misner

Thanks guys !!!

Will get to work and clean some engines this weekend !!!!

Use your wifes toothbrush. NOT YOURS !!!

I'm already using that one to clean the fish tank !!! [X(][X(][X(]

I've looked through all of our local commercial auto parts stores in town. Just one had the Mar-Hyde brand.

As far as using it, I would save it for cleaning only if you take it all apart. It's really not hard to do that but usually its safer without any bearings to get hurt or solvent being trapped somewhere. It's a jelly consistency just like paint stripper. Your trying to remove varnish so I tried it and it worked fairly well but you still need to be able to scrub where the carbon is hiding for it to go through it.

FWIW, here is a link to the MSDS for Mar Hyde remover: http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawe...vu9lxtD7SSSSSS

But antifreeze is poison, and I am sure the Dawn Power Dissolver has it's bad side also.

Dawn Power Dissolver is intended for use on dishes and pots and pans. It is water soluble. If I use it on my dishes I'm certainly not worried about using on my fuel engines.

http://www.dawn-dish.com/en_US/dawn-power-dissolver.do

Spaceworm- the link isn't working.

The Dawn Power Dissolver I got at my local Wal-Mart is of the gel type in a bottle, not the spray on as you described. It does say for pots and pans as prescribed.

I put it on with a towel, spread liberally, let set for 30 minutes and then scrubbed with a tooth brush. Took off some of the stains but not the crusted on type. Plan on getting a soft wire brush that may be more aggressive in taking off the stains. I can take a exacto knife and scrape off the stains, so I think they are loosening up some. Don't want to leave any scratches on the engine casing.

Will try a second coat tomorrow



OK I seen what I done. I got Dawn Power Clean, not Dawn Power Dissolver

Update:

Was able to get the Dawn Power Dissolver and man did it do a wonderful job !!! Cleaned up 6 engines and looks like new !!! I'm sure they will run 10-15 mph faster without all that crud on the engine .

Thanks for the recommendation.

Cary

Yes Down PD is sometimes hard to find. Don't know why? I buy mine at Walmart.

A friend emailed me the other day asking "how to get the gray off his engine". He had boiled it in a pan on the stove with Dawn Power Dissolver.

He says he is going to bead blast it now.

But just a warning on bead blasting. Make sure your bead blaster media is new and clean. I cleaned a muffler once in a bead blaster and it rusted. I was trying to figure out why aluminum rusted. Well, it had little steel particles stuck into the aluminum by the blaster. The steel was in the beads from a previous job.

What's the secret for not getting this build-up on engines ? Is it the oil that is burning and depositing on the engine ? Seems like some engines corrode more than others.

Cary.

Most of the time there is oil spraying from the front bearing and it sticks and burns onto the hot places.

You get a fine mist of spit back out the carbs also. One thing that helps a lot though is to make sure all the exhaust unions are not leaking. If necessary use a dab of high temp RTV (red silicone) on the 2 stroke muffler flanges and use teflon tape on the 4 stroke muffler threads. Don't overlook the ends of the long bolt that holds mufflers together and the center joint in mufflers as well. When you get home take a toothbrush with a little acetone on it and go over the engine and muffler after each day of flying. This helps a lot to keep the build up from getting out of hand. I quit using windex on the engine because over time it grays the aluminum I think. Personally I hate cowlings because it makes it hard to do these things.

Ernie Misner

Thanks Ernie and w8ye for your responses. Will try your methods to keep my engines clean now.