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OVERHAULIN67
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2004
Posts: 288
Location: Fort Polk, Louisiana
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 Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:16 pm Post subject: Cleaning Aluminum Engine Block |
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| What is the best way to clean the aluminum engine block..I'm not talk half way I'm talkin a really good clean? |
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gerg
a.k.a. 6volt65
Joined: April 25, 2003
Posts: 5454
Location: Monroe, LA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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I was astonished this week to follow some advice I saw in multiple places - the magnesium/Al case cleans up VERY well with just soap and water. I cleaned the inside of my 40 with a mild brush, scotch pad and soapy water and the black build up came right off.
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iowegian 
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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I thought that dilute muratic acid sounded like a good idea.(engine was out of car). WRONG! Reaction with magnesium caused a lot of sparks  but it did not break into full flame. Fortunately fire extinguiser was nearby. |
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keifernet
Samba Search & Rescue
Joined: May 11, 2002
Posts: 19395
Location: Samba Center for Behavioral Science
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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Unless you have an aftermarket alum case or a type 4 case it is not aluminum. It is a magnesium alloy.
I have used "purple power" or castrol "super clean" (more expensive) for years. Just do not let it fully dry on the case... use it...scrub... rinse... repeat...repeatedly until clean... spray with WD or other spray lube between sessions if you cannot finish the job and when done rinse well and spray it again with the WD to keep any residiual from etching and to keep it from corroding until you are ready for the final cleaning before assembly. |
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Steve22
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2004
Posts: 1389
Location: the wild unknown
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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How about removing paint from the engine block?
PO painted the case black, probably looked good when he first did it, but now it is only in places...
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26315
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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last time I wanted to get paint off a block I got some paint stripper (gasket remover spray is about the same too) and let it sit, but not for very long. Then it was off to the coin-op car wash and blast the case.
I've found that in general, a high pressure washer usually cleans cases pretty well. just want to make to blow out the passenges afterward so no mineral deposit "scum" forms from the water as it dries.
andy |
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Kaferfiend
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2004
Posts: 439
Location: Selah WA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning Aluminum Engine Block |
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| OVERHAULIN67 wrote: |
| What is the best way to clean the aluminum engine block..I'm not talk half way I'm talkin a really good clean? |
Castrol Superclean works pretty good. If you can get a like substance in bulk, you can dip the case for a few days. Rinse, repeat.
Otherwise, a brush a mineral spirits will get it clean. If you wanna go ALL out, take it to a machine shop, or engine shop with a glass bead blaster. It'll get it clean enough to pass as brand new.
-kf |
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Major Woody
Samba Enigma
Joined: December 04, 2002
Posts: 9010
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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How good do you want it to look?
I had mine soda blasted. I will have it hot tanked at the machine shop and Dow 7 coated prior to reassembly. I expect it to look new. |
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DanLarson
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2004
Posts: 128
Location: RTP, NC
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Steve22 wrote: |
How about removing paint from the engine block?
PO painted the case black, probably looked good when he first did it, but now it is only in places... |
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Purple power/Super Clean in a large tub over night will eat that paint right off. Then stick the case in soapy water, plain water and blow dry. You can pickup the Purple power concentrate from Home Depot for around $25 for 5 gallons. I mix it 1 part purple to 3 parts water for cases |
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eschmi
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2014
Posts: 164
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Is purple power ok with the aluminum block? Ive heard horror stories of it eating away at aluminum :S |
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dcheek
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 511
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:02 am Post subject: |
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I went to a Porsche Concours Tech session many years ago and they resurrected a grungy 356 motor using the following procedure:
- Run engine until hot.
- Shut down and disconnect battery
- Cover and tape all electrical parts with plastic and tape
- Liberally apply kerosene with stiff paint brush
- Let sit for several minutes
- Hose off with water
- Restart motor and drive until dry
Kerosene will not affect the paint and leave the magnesium or aluminum with a shiny patina.
While this is not the most ecologically friendly method, it definitely works. I've done is several times to the bottom of my 914 engine prior to a concours event.
Dave
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bugmandave
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 642
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:50 am Post subject: |
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bad idea to glass bead or abrasive blast! that stuff goes in places you'll never get it out and it will find its way right into your new bearings. I used kerosene and a parts scrubber brush. clean out all oil passageways with test tube brush. when you think its good enough... repeat.
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:35 am Post subject: |
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| dcheek wrote: |
I went to a Porsche Concours Tech session many years ago and they resurrected a grungy 356 motor using the following procedure:
- Run engine until hot.
- Shut down and disconnect battery
- Cover and tape all electrical parts with plastic and tape
- Liberally apply kerosene with stiff paint brush
- Let sit for several minutes
- Hose off with water
- Restart motor and drive until dry
Kerosene will not affect the paint and leave the magnesium or aluminum with a shiny patina.
While this is not the most ecologically friendly method, it definitely works. I've done is several times to the bottom of my 914 engine prior to a concours event.
Dave |
That's exactly how we cleaned our 3,350 cu. in double row eighteen cylinder radial engines in the navy., only we used a fire hose to wash them down afterwards. On the underside ( topside is always wiped down and clean ) of my VW's I use the same, but rinse with a pressure washer while the engine is running. To clean a shortblock before tear down I use ZEPP with a stiff brush done very quickly and a pressure washer right away. Keep ZEPP away from your hands/ always wear rubber gloves as it eats flesh. Never let it stay on the case for more than five minutes, it eats that too., but it really removes grease and oil. ZEPP is water soluble. NEVER buy round up or any other type of weed spray, just dilute ZEPP to 1/2 strength and have at the weeds and ants just disappear and never come out of their ant hills again.
If you use a hot tank be careful as it will eat a case and heads up in no time and None of this 1/2 day to 24 hr. stuff like we do on domestic cast iron blocks and heads. |
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planenut
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2012
Posts: 334
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:55 pm Post subject: cleaning aluminum engine block |
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| On our aircraft engines we used to submerge them in gunk. Great stuff! Open all the oil galleys, soak for day or so, then rinse with water. |
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txoval
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004
Posts: 3552
Location: The Woodlands, TX
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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Soda blasting is the best, backing soda also dissolves in water.
Still need to clean oil passages
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bugmandave
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 642
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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Dry ice blasting might work well too
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'71 Westfalia campmobile tourist delivery
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