cleaning an engine?
 

I have a few glow motors that are looking really old, even those thats are just a year or 2 old. The tops and sides darkened from fuel. Is there a cleaner out there that will clean them up?

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

not real easily. One technique is to buy an old crock pot and stick the entire engine in it covered up with 50/50 antifreeze / water. Cook it for a day or so.

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

Most of us use straight antifreeze. Water isn't a good thing to put into steel bearings.

Heck, my new crock pot was only $8.00 at Target.

It actually is pretty easy. After you decide the cost of the antifreeze is worth it.

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

Dawn Power Dissolver is also pretty good. It's in a pump sprayer. And it works pretty good but you need to rinse it off. Read the directions.

It's cheaper than a crock pot, but doesn't do the insides. And you don't want to get it inside either.

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

I use Dawn Power Dissolver. Just follow the directions on the bottle. Basically spray it on, wait a while and wash it off. Stubborn deposits may require the use of a toothbrush to help. Best stuff I've used in over 45 years of running glow engines. Plus no toxic waste like the anti freeze method causes.

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

Will the anti-freeze or the Dawn remove the rest of the blue paint on my OS 40 LA?
Thanks,
KW_Counter

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

The antifreeze shouldn't unless the paint is already coming off.

The Dawn will oxidize if left too long, so that suggests it might.

Is that paint or anodizing?

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

Something worth noting:

If you use the antifreeze/Crock Pot method, DO NOT ever use the Crick Pot for food ever again. Also, label it, "Not for use with food" so no one will ever sell it in a garage sale, etc.

RE: cleaning an engine?
 

I have engines that are over 4 years old and have little of the brown varnish or anything else, and I don't ever clean them (unless crashed, and then it's just Isopropal and carb cleaner spray). One of the biggest reasons for the varnish to form is running too lean, the engine is getting hot and cooks the castor that is on it. So if you see it starting to form, you may well be running too lean.