engine cleaner
 

what is a good engine cleaner to use on the baked on tar? I have seen breif info of "home brews" does anyone have an effective one or should I focus my search for a commercially available cleaner?

RE: engine cleaner
 

I have used antifreeze in a crock pot. I just soak the engine in the crock pot for an hour or so. You just have to use in a well vented area. wash, dry and lube it up good after soaking.
Jonathan

RE: engine cleaner
 

I use Dawn power disolver it works great. Spray it on , let it set for 10 min and rinse it off

RE: engine cleaner
 

The Dawn works for relatively small areas. However, there is nothing like a crock pot to clean a whole engine.

Bill

RE: engine cleaner
 

thanks for the help guys. I think the crock pot method will better suit my needs.

RE: engine cleaner
 

The Crock Pot method is great. My pot has a lid and I use it. I usually leave it overnight. I'm not sure it is necessary, but I do it anyway. The lid eleminates the fumes and keeps my cats safe. After the pot, I dip the engine in denatured alcohol and wash thoroughly with tap water. (The alcohol seems to help remove the antifreeze.) Then use compressed air to blow of the engine thoroughly. The final step is Marvel Mystery Air Tool oil in every nook and cranty.

Bill

RE: engine cleaner
 

I'll vote for the antifreeze and crock pot route. Works great. Then ditch the fuel with castor in it and the 'tar' won't return. Oh crap! I don't have my flame proof suit on.:D

RE: engine cleaner
 

I have a couple of gallons of the 50/50 "ready to use" antifreeze. Will that work or just do 50% of the job? :)

RE: engine cleaner
 

As stated above, should it be straight undiluted antifreeze or is 50-50 mixed OK?

Also, what brands of anti-freeze have you used successfully?

Jack

RE: engine cleaner
 

I don't think the brand of anti-freeze makes a major difference, but it needs to be the older green type not the new purple or reddish stuff. I use it straight out of the jug overnight on low. You'll want to get a crock pot of your own, or you'll be buying your wife a new one. My wife found a small crock pot at a garage sale for about $3.00, it's big enough for a 60 size engine at least.

RE: engine cleaner
 

the tar that the castor oil leaves is a result that many of us like. the inside of the engine is well protected by that 'tar'. there are many who love just as there are many who hate it.

RE: engine cleaner
 

I've found that 50/50 works just as good as straight antifreeze. As stated before I leave an engine overnight. Perhaps, if you usually soak an engine for an hour in straight, it would take two hours with 50/50.

Bill

RE: engine cleaner
 

do you have the crock pot turned on or are you using it because of it's ceramic qualities?

RE: engine cleaner
 

wilbutav,

I have used both method the crock pot/antifreeze and the Dawn Power disolver. Both work, I found the antifreeze to be less sucessful than the Dawn Power Disolver. The Crock pot did attack the anodize on the crankcase and was somewhat of a pain to handle the parts when you checked progress. The Dawn Power disover seemed to work wonderfully and using an apoxy brush assisted in removing the harder stains. Power Disolver you can get in Walmart for under $3. Try them both they both work.

Sledge_78

RE: engine cleaner
 

thanks again. Fortunatly I don't have any engines with annodize on them so that's not a concern. I have some mufflers and motors that aren't in service right now so I will be able to try both.

Mark

RE: engine cleaner
 

Turn it on low heat. The combo of heat and the antifreeze somehow disolves the baked on castor right off. After use, the crock pot will be off limits for any food use as the antifreeze is quite toxic.:(

RE: engine cleaner
 

The crock pot I have is a very small one that was very cheap from Wally World. It is just big enough for a 60 size engine. I leave it on overnight and let it cool for a couple of hours before taking the engine out.

Bill

RE: engine cleaner
 

Bill-
Thanks again. I will make my way down to our local "Wally World" and pick one up. I know just the one you are speaking of.
Mark

RE: engine cleaner
 

I have used both the pot and the Power Dissolver. My wife prefers the Power Dissolver :)

Either way I've found the 3M Scotch Brite green pads very helpful.

And hey, stop knocking castor. I LIKE my tar!!!!

RE: engine cleaner
 

I like Castor too. I wouldn't run anything without at least some castor in the mix.

Remember, Duke Fox used to caution against cleaning the "tar" from his engines. I do believe he thought they wouldn't run afterwards.

RE: engine cleaner
 

Nothing like the smell of castor in the morning. And I won't fly a float plane without it.

RE: engine cleaner
 

the smell of castor oil is one of my favorites. i will always use some amount of castor if nothing more than the smell.

RE: engine cleaner
 

here here, I agree completely. plus the added bonus of all the insect life adheared to the plane after each flight.

RE: engine cleaner
 

These days the electric guys say: "Oh yes, I remember the smell of fuel burning!"

RE: engine cleaner
 

When the electric guys hit me with something like that I bring out the old PAW .19 diesel and really blow their minds!