Cleaning the Motor?

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

       I take all the engine parts to the car wash and blast way the built up 
gunk.  I also pressure wash the oil passages.  In fact, I remove the air 
cleaner, cover the openings with plastic bags and trailer the car to the car 
wash before taking it apart.  I also take the chassis back to the car wash 
after the engine is out to get the engine bay clean.  
       Gunk engine cleaner seems to work well.  EZ Off Oven cleaner works 
better, but will turn aluminum black and will remove paint with the grease.  
On the other hand, EZ Off is great for preparing the body for paint 
preparation.  It will remove grease, wax and the top surface of the paint.
       I then put all the engine parts in my parts washer and scrub out the 
oil passages with brushes I got from Eastwood.  I normally remove / drill out 
the oil passage plugs before cleaning the oil passages.  If you do not 
displace the water from the car wash with solvent, then use compressed air to 
dry the parts.

       I have put the engine block and other parts in my glass bead cabinet.  
However, before doing that, I always tape off the engine bearing areas and 
all oil passages.  Then I clean everything thoroughly in the parts washer to 
get rid of the shattered glass beads that stick to the aluminum.  You do not 
want glass beads inside the engine when you get done.  Walnut hulls in a 
blast cabinet are safer, but do not clean worth a darn.
       After blasting the aluminum parts clean, I polish with a soft wire 
brush in a drill.  The glass beads leave a dull surface.  Then clear coat to 
keep the engine shiny.  Eastwood's Nylac seems to be holding up well on the 
last engine I did all that to.
       Some Alfa engines seem to accumulate a white powder inside the water 
passages.  This seems worse with engines using tap water rather than 
distilled water.  Well water is the worst for build up.  I remove the build 
up with a wire brush in a drill / die grinder.

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City
       


In a message dated 11/12/2002 12:39:31 PM Central Standard Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:



> Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 12:23:54 -0500
> From: "Scott Johnson" <scott@domain.elided>
> Subject: Back on Target: Cleaning the Motor?
> 
> I'm now in the process of bulding the (admittedly tiny) Garage of My 
> Dreams. One of my mottos: CLEANLINESS! No more rushing around in various 
> parking lots watching bugs crawl in and out of the motor.
> 
> The first step was sealing the floor. One rustolium kit later and I have 
> a very snazzy finished look which should be much easier to keep clean.
> 
> I was wondering if you could  all share your tips on cleaning the motor? 
> I know this has been done before (perhaps not done to death, but done 
> before), but now I'm actually in a position to take advantage of it!
> 
> Besides, it's an Alfa project that won't cost me anything. For once. :)
> 
> Scott Johnson
> Alfa Spider FAQ Author
> 71 1750 Spider
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