Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

What would you recommend for cleaning up the outside of old engines? Is there a solvent that will remove the varnish stains left form burnt fuel?

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

I usually grab a couple of cans of cheap spray cans of Brake cleaner from the Auto Parts Store.

With the extension tube and the can pressure, I find that the brake cleaner cleans the gunk up on the outside of my engines real nice. The nice thing about the brake cleaner is that is evaporates almost instantly so there is no concern about rust or corrossion.

Hope this helps,

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

Thanks for the advise. I'll give it a try! :p

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

I tried Z-Best on a tip from Brad on one of the forums & it works great. You can find it at your LHS. It comes in a little yellow can.

WILL DO
 

Hey Charles, I'll give that a try as the brake cleaner didn't cut the burned on varnish. So, how are things in NW TN. I travel through there once every 3 months for business. Any RC shops around your area?

Dan :p

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

An old crock pot an low filled half way with cheap anti-freeze. Let simmer overnight. It'll clean just about anything. Don't run it on high, as it will leave the AL dull. This should be done in a well ventilated area, because the fumes stink and are bad for you .

Z-Best???
 

OK, I give up! I've been to every local HWS's in my area and no one has even heard of Z-Best. Any additional info you could get to me. Is Z-best the brand name?

Thanks,
Dan

Engine cleaning
 

If you are the spray on type try the carb. cleaner it works better than brake parts cleaner. Just remember the carb. cleaner is flammable! With a little effort with a scotch pad, an old toothbrush and a paste made from Ajax and Isopropyl rubbing alcohol I have been able to make all of my used engines look like new. Using the Ajax method with the carb. and exhaust outlet covered you won't have to disassemble anything either. Try it you might be surprised. Take care, Cliff

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

Thanks for the tip CL.

Hardware store also has small wire brushes. I found a 3-pack for $2 in a big display of cheap tools. Little bigger than toothbrush.

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

I'll second the crockpot method. I've used it for numerous mufflers and cylinder heads, I turn the temp on low and let the engine parts sit in it for 24 hours and if there's any castor stains left, they come off if you brush it off with a cloth.

Try it, I bet it works better than any other item listed. Plus antifreeze is available everywhere unlike z-best engine cleaner.

Kris.

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

The crockpot/antifreese is a nobrainer, put the parts in, let them simmer for 24hr, they come out shiney new. Use an old tooth brush for the tough spots.
Here are a few posts about it, you'll never use anything else again:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...and+antifreeze
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...and+antifreeze
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...and+antifreeze
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...and+antifreeze]

Thanks to all!
 

What a wealth of cleaning info! Thanks to all for the replies. I will try all these suggestions.

Dan ;)

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

I guess the hardest part is convincing the wife to part with her crockpot! ;)

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

Hey Mav - How's about a good overnight soaking in Foster's, mate?

I have had very good results using Chevron Perfect Engine Cleaner available at most LHS's.
You can recycle it numerous times.

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

Fosters....what is that rubbish? Nobody in Australia drinks that stuff anymore!

I tried buying a crockpot today from all of the garage sales around our house and not one of them had a crockpot! :(

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

I have used paint remover or Aircraft paint remover in a spray can. $5 at Auto Zone. About 2 applications and a stiff
bristle tooth brush will take off anything.
Thanks,
Electropiep

Crockpot and antifreeze
 

Another vote for the cheap and easy way!

I cleaned a muffler off of a 61FX the other day, just to prove the power of the crockpot/antifreeze method to a fellow club member. His muffler was a disgusting mess, a carmel brown color from all the varnish. Not only did it remove all the filth, it also removed all the epoxy holding the exhaust deflector on. I have cleaned numerous engines this way, and never any scrubbing! The hardest part was talking the wife out of her crockpot....

Rice Cooker instead of a Crockpot?
 

Hey guys, can't seem to locate a cheap crockpot, but I did run across a wholesale/Salvage store and found a RICE COOKER and it looks just like a crockpot only it has a metal cooking bowl. It has Hi and Low settings. They are going for $5.00 each! Think this would serve the purpose for engine cleaning? If so, the place has around 25 of them! Just a thought.
:idea:

Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

Dan-

You're my kind of guy, cheap (like me.)

Anyway, I gotta question also. Can I do the whole engine (not disassembled) ? I don't want to take them apart.

Cheap Crockpot
 

I picked up my Crockpot at Wally World (WalMart) for $9.99. This method really does work best. Just remember that antifreeze is highly toxic so don't leave it where it is accessible to pets! I made a cage out of an old candy can with holes drilled in the bottom. Dump the parts in the can and lower into the antifreeze. This makes it really easy to retrieve your "new" engine!

BTW: I heartily recommend disassembling your engine first. It allows you to properly rinse, dry, and lubricate all parts after cleaning . . . very important to your engine's health.

. . . Bill

Re: Cheap Crockpot
 

I spent a few hours last weekend scouring garage sales around my area unsuccessfully looking for an old Crockpot! If I had know they were only $10 I would have just bought a new one.....aaaahhhh! ;)

RE: Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

[img][/img]Actually a very effective cleaner is at you local Store- Dawn Power Dissolver can be found in the cleaning products area. I've heard people say a Crock Pot with Anti Freeze, Ausies use what they call "Brown Sauce". Dawn Power Dissolver sprayed on the engine liberally, soak for 15-20 minutes, use a toothbrush to free to brush the casting and areas that are thicker. Rinse the engine in very hot soapy water, reapply and soak any area not completely clean, re-rinse and then blow out thoroughly wit compressed air. I normally ten run the engine a couple minutes on my test stand to really dry it out. and put in After Run Oil. I cleaned an Enya 50 that was 18 years old, had hundreds of flights on it, probably put a total of 40 minutes including soak time into the job. It looks fantastic.

RE: Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

(didn't read every reply) the anti-freeze dip thing will even work on a good running engine just to clean up, just remove the head, back plate and carb, dip it for over night, the next day simply clean off the anti-freeze with rubbing alcohol, let dry, lube well, remount the parts and fly

RE: Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

While the crockpot works, I like the Dawn Power Dissolver better because you don't have to disassemble the motor and carb.  Hard to find though.  I think buying it over the internet is probably the easiest way to get it.  I did a Supertiger .40 and the bearing cage was separated when using the crockpot.  It was probably like that from the garage sale, but maybe the heat may have popped it off too.  It was very abused and ugly, but looks good now, and runs ok after another bearing was put in.  Old thread, but a clean motor is nice, and not as embarrassing? at the field.

RE: Engine cleaning advise needed.
 

DITTO on the crock pot method.

Fill with coolant to cover parts (disassemble engine , remove O-rings and gaskets) 4 to 8 hours in a vented area and remove parts with hotdog tongs.

Anything still on the parts will easily come off with a small brass brush.