How to clean an engine?
 

I need to clean an OS 46 LA engine from the brown spots on the head

I think I read somewhere here to put it in antifreeze for the night.

What should I do with the plastic parts should i remove them?

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Alex

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

I would only do it if you have the Natural Aluminum finish version. I would remove the Blastic Parts.;) You want to use an old Crock Pot, and "KEEP IT AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND ANIMALS." Fill it with undilluted straight antifreeze, put in the engine and turn on the crock pot. You want to make sure that you have a cover on it, with some good ventalation. The next day you can rinse the engine with water, dry it, and relube it.:D:D:D

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

if it just looks brown i wouldnt worry about it, if your engine is running fine why take it appart?

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

Thanks guys,

Do I remove the plastic parts to prevent them from boiling or the antifreeze can harm them?

I have too many engines I want to sell some 46's on ebay, guess what for to buy bigger engines :D.

Alex

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

You might be able to clean those external spots with a fuel (or some methanol/Heet fuel additive) soak and a toothbrush/washcloth scrubbing.

If using the antifreeze method, it is only heated, not boiled.

Terry in LP

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

Remove the PLastic parts first. The Antifreeze will clean them better than any other Commercial Model Engine Cleaner. As long as you can keep it hot, and not boiling it works wonders. I know my Crock Pot does not get that hot anyways.;)

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

Try Dawn Power Dissolver and a toothbrush.

jess

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

hAS ANYONE EVER USE A ULTRASONICE CLEANER
wattmeter;)

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

Somebody wrote recently about having good luck with a sonic cleaner. I agree with Jessie to try Dawn first.

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

Doesn't Dawn tarnish Aluminum? I know Antifreeze does not as long as you do not boil it.:D

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

Why bother? Just put it in a cowl, can't see it then. Mine all run great dirty.

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

I have used the crock pot method and it is amazing. I have also used the Dawn pot scrubber, it worked okay but not nearly as well as the crock pot.

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

I don't use a crock pot. I use a potpourri pot. There's no thermostat and it doesn't boil the antifreeze

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ETJIE6

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

I tried it and spoiled an engine

Since then I use the "prevention is better than cure" approach. What I suggest is, if your engine is open and the "natural aluminium" finish, clean it every weekend after flying is done for the week with some soap water and a toothbrush. This will keep the engine exterior clean and your model looking good too. I do it on my Tiger that way.

If the engine is cowled, you may consider taking off the cowl and doing the above once every month. This will require more effort as the castor on the head will have baked on, but it will allow the engine to run cooler. I did this on my Topstar (UCD60 clone) till I got fedup with it (and had engine tuning problems with the inverted 2C engine) and started to fly without the cowl, hence open engine.

I believe that this cleaning externally regularly will offer better engine life as subsequently there will be lesser "heat soak" effect. I believe you clean your model every weekend so why not the engine? Only ensure that once you scrub it, dry it thoroughly with a heat gun to prevent rusting of any parts. Also, plug close the carb during cleaning to prevent water from entering the crankcase.

Just my two cents, no offence meant

Ameya

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

My Cheap crock pot from Wal Mart does not boil it even after 24 hr's.:D

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

question: Is the vapor of the antifreeze dangerous?

well,
crock pot I dont have so I used metal can, living in an apartment I did it in the kitchen.
with the motor and the mufler in without the plastic parts heated the antifreeze to something like 80 C (100 C is boiling).
turned the fire off and left it there for an hour, then brushed all the brown away with a metal brush.
Im very happy.

Thanks
Alex

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

as long as it worked for you

In your case the exposure was minimal

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

Dawn Power Dissolver will damage/tarnish the case if left on it too long. Hot antifreeze will damage anodizing. Methanol will tarnish an aluminum case. Metal bristle brushes will scratch/haze a shiny surface.

For me simple is better. A hot antifreeze soak is a pain to set up, monitor, disassemble the engine, etc. Dawn Power Dissolver is less of a pain but you need gloves and eye protection. Frequent engine wipedowns after flying sessions reduce the need for the more complicated cleaning methods.

Terry in LP

RE: How to clean an engine?
 

I figured it would work for you.:D Next time you could try the deck or window sill.:D