Any suggestions on cleaning the outside of a OS 91 4 stroke and it's muffler? I know it's aesthetic but I want it pretty.

I saw an article in RCM that suggested soaking it in a crock-pot full of anti-freeze. Obviously you couldn't use the crock=pot again for food, but whocares, your engine/parts would be clean again!!

Ill scan andpost the article when I get home tonight.

--Mike

You do have to switch the crockpot on. Medium heat overnight. Use the ordinary cheap antifreeze, not the biodegradable type.

Something to consider. This process will dislodge crud from the outside of the engine. Some of it could get inside the engine. It is best to disassemble the engine before doing this.

Ed S

Automotive carb cleaner like Kunk brand spray cleaner. Do it outside !!!

Also there was an engine cleaner called Perfect Engine cleaner. Now this you did have to soak for a period. It worked very well. It was sold in Hobby shops.

Nothing works like antifreeze!!! Disasemble... take bearings out too... and put only the case and head into crock pot outside and heat until all the crude melts off... about 8-10 hours on low to medium. Get an cheapo from Kmart or a yard sale and only use it for cleaning.... mark it well!

I also clean using the heated anti-freeze method in the crock pot. I would like to add that you really want to put a little lubrication back on the surface after cleaning. I use WD40 for lubricant for re-assembly.

Hi,

Are you like me and don't want to dissassemble the motor unless you have to? I use the following method that I first saw in a modelling magazine. For the less than totally, inch deep gunked cases I have found that spray on oven cleaner from the supermarket works really well. Home brand is fine.

Remove carby and plug opening with "blue tac" or similar. Plug the opening of the muffler. Spray on oven cleaning foam and let it sit overnight and then remove with a gentle spray of water from the garden hose, (preferably not over your spouses prize orchids). A nail brush or tooth brush can help in the hard to reach corners and between the fins. Don't forget to wear gloves and eye protection.

Cheers,

Colin

The anti-freeze/crock-pot combination has just been discussed on my club website and apparently gives excellent results. Check out some pictures in this link: [link=http://www.wimac.org/]WIMAC[/link] and look for the engine cleaning post under general discussion in the discussion groups.

the crockpot and antifreeze does work wonders on all engines ,but on those extreme cases ive also tried crockpot and prestone super antifreeze cleaner duluted to 1/4 cup cleaner to 1 gallon water then cooked overnight on low ( only on those engines i got from yard sales with 30 plus years of corrosion on them and locked up ) they came out clean as a whistle and most were not locked up anymore i only had to wipe away a residue left on the engines then cleaned all with 10 weight oil to displace water , the super radiator cleaner solution should only be used on extreamly corroaded engines which antifreeze alone doesnt do the trick .

If you just want to clean the outside of the engine, rubbing alcohol and a brass wire brush work very well.