What everyone using as a cleaner to get all that burnt on grime off their engines.

Pot of simmering water on the stove with a table spoon of laundry detergent. leave the engine simmering in the pot and after about ten minutes the grime will wipe off. may need longer if the engine is really bad. This is no good for bearings, carbs or silicon seals. works well on heads and mufflers. hows that wild hare going?

Anthony

I use a spray gel called "DAWN POWER DISOLVER". Spray it on wait five minutes (longer for long burnt on) and wash off with hot water. Then oil. This is available at Walmart in the liquid dishsoap section for about $2. Works great.

HUDnOTOW

On my 4 strokes I consider a properly coated exhaust a transition into manhood.

My two strokes usually don't get burned up and can be cleaned easily with a liberal shot of brake cleaner to get the day's grime out of all the nooks and crannies. Close the carb tho.

I have an old retired crock pot that I put Ethylene Glycol anti-freeze in and set the temp to low. Drop the engine in and let it simmer for about 12 hours. When you take it out and rinse it off it will be clean as new. Here is a link that has some good info.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_12...tm.htm#1207200

Good luck. [8D]

Many soak it in a crockpot with antifreeze

I'm a Crockpot and antifreeze believer but it will turn your aluminum engine dark (tarnished) but super clean.

Pete

Thanks for all those idea's,

I think I will pinch the wifes crock pot while she's not looking-DON'T THINK SO, NOT IF LIFE'S WORTH LIVING.

I soak in meths overnight. Put a cover on it to stop the meths exaporating. Then an old toothbrush for cleaning out between the fins etc. All the gunk comes right off and doesn't affect the aluminium, rubber or gaskets.

I'm going to say this because anyone on the planet with an internet connection could read this thread, and that just about includes the entire intelligence spectrum of our species:

NEVER cook food in a crock pot that has been used with antifreeze.

From Wikipedia,

"Symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning usually follow a three-step progression, although poisoned individuals will not always develop each stage or follow a specific time frame. Stage 1 consists of neurological symptoms including victims appearing to be intoxicated, exhibiting symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, slurred speech, and confusion. Over time, the body metabolizes ethylene glycol into other toxins, it is first metabolized to glycolaldehyde, which is then oxidized to glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, and finally oxalic acid. Stage 2 is a result of accumulation of these metabolites and consists of tachycardia, hypertension, hyperventilation, and metabolic acidosis. Stage 3 of ethylene glycol poisoning is the result of kidney injury, leading to acute kidney failure. Oxalic acid reacts with calcium and forms calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney."

David

I have found if the engine has turned dark when its removed from the antifreeze , to high of a temp was used, Low heat is all thats necessary,and unless there really bad 2-4 hrs as a rule is long enough to get one looking like new again.

And by all means never reuse a crockpot for any food products once its had antifreeze in it, also when useing a pot to clean with make sure its used in a well ventalated area, The fumes can be toxic also.

Theres several ways to clean up a engine, Heres a few methods I have used over the years
The crockpot IMO cleans the best.
1. Crockpot & antifreeze
2.Chevron engine cleaner
3.Dawn Dishwashing soap
4. Brake or carb cleaner

Paint stripper is another method. I wouldn't leave it overnight, it etches the aluminium.
Metho is fine as well, but once again it can etch polished alloy if left overnight.
My personal favourite is the crockpot method and I have never had engines go dark but it can require up to 48 hours depending on how bad the engine is.
Sometimes the soap method can darken aluminium as well, it depends on which soap I guess.

Any detergent or solvent that is caustic in nature (opposite of Acid) will discolor aluminum. Most cleaners like oven cleaners, automatic dishwasher soaps, and even Tide laundry detergent are caustic. Dawn Power Dissolver is also slightly caustic.

Some of these like the Dawn Power Dissolver are OK as long as you do not let is stay on the engine for extended periods or boil the part in the power dissolver.

There are paint strippers that are supposed to be aluminum safe.

You can also use an aluminum wheel brightner purchased at the local auto parts store to bring back the new look after cleaning IF it darkens. You just spray it on, rinse it off, and the aluminum parts look like new.

I have used Castrol Superclean and a toothbrush, it got most off without having to submerge it. Spray it on let it sit for about 20min, spray it again and while it is wet use the toothbrush to get in the places you can not reach with a rag.