How do I Clean an Engine?
 

I have a Thunder Tiger Pro .46 that is stained from a few years of running but no cleaning. I’m transplanting it to another plane and I would like to clean it up.

I would rather not take it a part, just remove the grime and stains. Anybody know the best way to do that and not damage the motor?

Thanks.

Dave

Engine cleaner
 

I`ve read several post where guys use Antifreeze in an old crock pot. Maybe take the o-ring off the carb and let it set in the pot for several hours than oil it up and run it. Be sure and not use the pot for cooking after using it this way.

Re: Engine cleaner
 

Great. What temp? Will after run oil work after it comes out of the soup?

Dave

soup
 

After run oil would be fine. They usally put it on high for a couple hours.

anti-freeze bath
 

Turn the switch on the crock pot to low not high. I have been told that high will discolor the aluminum. The anti-freeze will not hurt the rubber hoses of a car so you could probably soak the complete engine. I have never put a carb in to soak just all the rest of the parts, some of the crud off the engine could wind up somewhere in the carb. Some of the thickest burnt on crud had to be scrubbed with a tooth brush or wooden popsicle stick.
Do this out in the garage with plenty of ventilation, the fumes can't do you any good. The anti-freeze can be used over and over. I have done many engines for friends and they have all turned out sparkling clean.
FB

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

The antifreeze in the crockpot works great but something needs to be added. NEVER EVER USE THE CROCKPOT FOR FOOD AGAIN. The porcelain will absorb the antifreeze and leach back into the food and poison you. I keep an old crockpot of antifreeze in my shop and clean my engines regularly. But now it is a tool for cleaning engines, not cooking food.

By the way, I always disassemble my engines to get the insides clean as well. They always seem to run like new, as well as look like new, after a good cleanup.

Crock pot.
 

I tried tons of different things before the crock pot method. All resulted in tons of elbow grease and an engine that still looked bad. Follow the previous instructions they're all good.

I had several engines that really looked bad. Tons of caked on junk. 24 hours in pot, they looked and ran like new. Thanks to whoever thought of it first.

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

try paint stripper, it usually gets all the caked in castor off, but it will also remove any paint finish on the engine, ie, OS blue.

Cleaning the engines...
 

Is there any recommendations on how often you should clean them? Or just when you feel it needs it. Also is there anyway to bring the blue color back on top of the cylinder of the engines?

Thanks much in advance. :)

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

I guess it is personal preference. I don't clean mine very much, just when they get really caked - like every other year or so. I guess if you flew a lot you could clean them every year.

For the blue color, I am assuming it is a powder coated process. I think if it is worn off, there is no hope of getting it back. I never tried it, but I assume that the crock pot method would harm the powder coated surface.

Jeff A

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

Just tried the crock pot and Anitfreeze method on an old OS SF .46. It worked great. Took about eight hours then just a quick clean up with some water (Ethylene Glycol is very soluable in water) then a little after run oil on all the parts. I did take the head, backplate, muffler and carb off and I did not put the carb in the pot. All it took to get the rest of the little spots off was a good stiff bristled toothbrush. Worked like a champ.

T.

parts cleaner
 

found a product called Berryman parts cleaner in an automotive shop. it comes in a one gallon paint can. inside the can is a diping tray. the whole thing is self contained. when I'm finished I put the lid back on the can and put it away. this stuf works great and is totally self contained. takes the parts out after 10 minutes and wash with the hose. a little oil and that's it. no pots no antifreeze or electric, and no clean up.
I tried the crockpot method and prefer this method better.

for a quick fix at the end of the day I use electrical parts airasol spray available at any autoparts shop. that gets off all the sand and dust of the day.

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

Would spray carb cleaner work? Just on the outside not taking the engine apart.


Ray (Newbie)

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

hi guys, I have decided to give the technic a try.just bought a secondhand crockpot for 5 us dollars from cash converter, However I have a question, is the type of anti freeze the type that goes into car radiators or otherwise, pls respond....


Thanks man.

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

Yes, car radiator type anti-freeze.
Dennis-

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

Here is the before picture of an OS .46 SFP.

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

And here is the after...

How do I Clean an Engine?
 

zep foaming citrus cleaner. don't leave it on for more than a muined because it will eat away at your engine if you leave it on for too long. if 1 min isn't enough after you take to it with a toothbrush and clean it of with rubbing alcohol (not water) than put it on for a time as long as you determine necessary. (note, never go more than one minuet at a time) be sure to completely block your carburator