Engine cleaning: how much to take apart?
 

Hello,
I have a Saito 180 and an Enya 120 4c that I am wanting to sell and wanted to clean them up before selling them. I was planning on trying the antifreeze and the crockpot method and was wondering how much of the engine I should disassemble before doing this.

Thanks

RE: Engine cleaning: how much to take apart?
 

As a minimum on the Saito, I would remove the carb/Backplate. Muffler, and the valve covers. You reall y should take the Cylinder jug/cam box off. Otherwise it will be a problem getting the antifreeze out of that area. If your bearings are bad, cleaning the engine will not make them good.

I don't remember just how the Enya is made.

Personally, I would clean the outside of the engine with brake cleaner and forget the antifrezze in this one application.

Jim

RE: Engine cleaning: how much to take apart?
 

Extra:

Listen to W8YE. Don’t put either of these engines in an antifreeze bath unless you strip them completely, there are too many places to trap moisture, you’ll never get them dry. The Saito is bad enough with its single cam in front, the Enya with its twin cams in the rear is even worse.

Use an aromatic solvent, acetone, toluene, even xylene, and just scrub the outside. Do it with plenty of ventilation, and rubber or plastic gloves are strongly recommended.

Or you could give Brian Cooper a shout, Cooper Fuels, and get some Demon Clean and use that. Does a great job, but again, fresh air and gloves.

Cooper Fuels? (315) 689-7695

Bill.

RE: Engine cleaning: how much to take apart?
 

thanks!

RE: Engine cleaning: how much to take apart?
 

Do theese engines run? If so, and you're wanting to sell them, I wouldn't disassemble anything. I'd clean up the outside a little bit, and leave it at that. Used equipment is usually sold "as is". If you advertise that the engine runs, and for some reason, after you reassemble it, it doesn't, or the head gasket breaks, carb gasket leaks, or anything like that, you'd be hard pressed to sell anything ever again. A reputation will follow you almost everywhere. I've sold engines before and did nothing more than blow the dust off them.
That's just my opinion. I, personally, would not buy a used engine that looks like it has never ran. I would leave the cleaning up to the buyer.