biohazard53188 Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 Hi, I'm just starting to learn about working on engines directly and I am taking apart a l28 and the engine is very greasy. I would like to use the head on a 240z but I am not sure how to clean all of the grease and old oil off of it properly. Engine degreaser? I'm not sure if its ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 Avoid using a citrus based degreaser on aluminum. A simple way I've degreased a head is to mostly fill a 5 gallon bucket with Simple Green and stick the head in the bucket for a couple days, turning it 180 degrees on day 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e_racer1999 Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 at that rate why not just hot tank it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 tub of gasoline and a nail brush works really good to get the heavy stuff. If you want a true shine you'll have to get into polishing and that's a PITA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biohazard53188 Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 I think gas or simple green sounds like a pretty safe way of doing it, I just want to keep the valve springs and cam on there when I do it. So should I spray it down with water afterwards to get all of the chemicals off? Or would that lead to rust? I'm thinking if I dry it really good afterward than it will be ok, but thats why I'm asking the experts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e_racer1999 Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 rust would be your concern on the cam and valve guides; other than that, if you leave it sitting for a while the aluminum will oxidize. how long are you going to have it off? after rinsing it you could use WD40 on it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 If you use the simple green then you would have to rinse it with water to get ti off. The gas will just evaporate. If you do go the simple green and rinse route though, take either an air compressor or canned air to it after to get the water out of all the little spaces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodboxer Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 i just bought a air tool from Princess Auto and it claims to be an engine cleaner and hase an tube that u stick in a chemicial , but it does say what to use with it, any suggestions? the chemical tube and air pressure are ajustable as there is a adjusting knob on top. has anyone ever used this thing? bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 i just bought a air tool from Princess Auto and it claims to be an engine cleaner and hase an tube that u stick in a chemicial , but it does say what to use with it, any suggestions? the chemical tube and air pressure are ajustable as there is a adjusting knob on top.has anyone ever used this thing? bob take a picture of this thing please? i was at princess auto yesterday and forgot some stuff, so i must go back soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbesheer Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 At work (a jiffy lube type place) we use fuel injector cleaner (the real stuff that you put in a vacuum line) and it cleans stuff so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 your air gun can use any of the above solutions/degreasers, as well as water. Rubbing Alcohol is an excellent drying agent, for use after you rinse it off. Just spray it down and let it sit in the sun for a bit; an hour should be MORE than ample. Nothing will work as well as hot tanking it, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4xwellmurd3r Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 What about brake parts cleaner? I've used that before to clean off all sorts of things. Usually engine blocks that are old and crusted with oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 I'm just wondering what a "Head Cylinder" is... (sorry, couldn't helpt it)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Use diesel fuel/kerosene to clean stuff instead of gas. Not anywhere near as volatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodboxer Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 take a picture of this thing please? i was at princess auto yesterday and forgot some stuff, so i must go back soon. here is a picture of the thing hope this helps, u can see where the air hose hook ons and also i am holding it by the hose which sucks up the liguid. bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 here is a picture of the thing hope this helps, u can see where the air hose hook ons and also i am holding it by the hose which sucks up the liguid.bob ahhh this is funny, the day that I had asked you for the pic, I went to princess auto and got that same one. LOL I like how the hose has a weighted pickup so it sinks to the bottom of the jug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 SO you guys mention hot tanking. From what I've read, the caustic solutions most commonly used will make a nice puddle out of the aluminum cylinder heads. Are there any solutions/solvents that can be boiled in a vat at home that would work on aluminum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 If you use alcohol as a drying agent make sure it's 99% pure ethyl not topical isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). The topical stuff has anticeptic/anti-bacterial in it that leaves behind a film that is very hard to get off. I used some to clean a circuit board, didn't have any ethyl at the time, and still haven't gotten all the stuff off. You can get the ethyl at electronic supply stores and it doesn't take much to evaporate the water off. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonZ Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Use diesel fuel/kerosene to clean stuff instead of gas. Not anywhere near as volatile. +1 on that. Hot tanking will eat up an ally head. That's what a machinest told me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 If you use alcohol as a drying agent make sure it's 99% pure ethyl not topical isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). The topical stuff has anticeptic/anti-bacterial in it that leaves behind a film that is very hard to get off. I used some to clean a circuit board, didn't have any ethyl at the time, and still haven't gotten all the stuff off. You can get the ethyl at electronic supply stores and it doesn't take much to evaporate the water off. Wheelman use flux removing solvent if you cant get the film off. it will make your board a little sticky if you don't apply it liberally enough to wet the board real good. if you only spray a mist, it wont dry out properly and it will just leave sticky sparkly areas on the board. I use one in a blue can, with a red label. Can't remember the name but it removed all the rosin flux that the board left behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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