What's a good product for cleaning the gum from the exterior of an engine?

One thing that works great for me is Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. I spray some into the cover and use a plumbers brush and cover the area's. I let it sit for 1 to 2 hours and wipe area with a damp paper towel or rag. If it is really built up several applications may be necessary. Then sometimes I will use the wire wheel on the grinder and shine everything up. The oven cleaner is in the $3.00 range and does a great job!

Bob

The best method for cleaning an engine I have ever used it to fill a crock pot with enough anti-freeze to cover the engine and cook on low for four or five hours then rinse with water, blow it off with compressed air, and oil it liberally.

Thanks guy's...I want to clean my OS160 but don't want to take it apart and am worried about the o rings and cleaner, Just want to do a little surface cleaning.




Bud

Bud, the anti-freeze will not hurt the o-rings.

Hello; I have a big (one gallon) bottle of hand cleaner, it's called Gojo with pumice. I just squirt a little of it on the engine and use the included brush to get it to the bottom of the fins and in every nook and cranny. I let it sit for a few minutes then take a toothbrush to it under the tap. This dissolves all the castor crap and leaves teh engine looking just like new.

Now I don't have to tell you to not allow the water or cleaner to get into the carb opening do I?

I haven't tried to shift burned on blackness with it, but I think it'll do that too with a little sxtra scrubbing.

Easy-Off oven cleaner may be OK, but some oven cleaners have an alkaline base, they will damage the surface of the aluminum. So don't just use any oven cleaner without testing it first.

Bill.

I use the crockpot method and it works great. However, it needs to be said that you should NEVER USE THE CROCKPOT FOR FOOD AGAIN. The antifreeze will be absorbed into the porcelain and then leech back into the food and poison you. I have my crockpot in the workshop and clean my engines regularly. Put it outside while cooking.

Thanks for bringing that point up Nuts, you would think that everyone would know that safety fact but..........

I used the anti -freeze method on my OS 46 and 50sx and wont do it any other way again..To much work..

Just put it in a pot and cook for an hour and all gone,new looking motor.too ezy