advice required re cleaning engine parts

[Mattlan]

Hope someone can offer some "cheap" advice as I am undertaking a budget rebuild (valve stem oil seals) of a MX5 and the engine has 120k on it.

Absolutely smothered in oil and associated muck. I intend to pressure wash the block but have various plates / brackets, pipes etc that need a thorough clean before use. any tips / tricks of the trade you want to give me would be much appreciated.

Not afraid to get my hands dirty scrubbing but any shortcuts would be nice ta!!

[Krikkit]

Get everything stripped off and ready for cleaning then hire a steam pressure washer for a few hours. Everything should come up lovely.

[Wombat3]

Mattlan said:

Hope someone can offer some "cheap" advice as I am undertaking a budget rebuild (valve stem oil seals) of a MX5 and the engine has 120k on it.

Absolutely smothered in oil and associated muck. I intend to pressure wash the block but have various plates / brackets, pipes etc that need a thorough clean before use. any tips / tricks of the trade you want to give me would be much appreciated.

Not afraid to get my hands dirty scrubbing but any shortcuts would be nice ta!!

If its small stuff then gunk degreaser/engine cleaner and/or many aerosols of brake cleaner - its great stuff for degreasing. Don't ever burn it or spray it on anything hot though - it can kill you (gives off what's basically mustard gas IIRC) quite benign otherwise though.

Euro Car parts often have a deal on it where they flog it for about £1.50 a can (instead of the usual £2.50 or so - its often £4.50-£5 in Halfords) - check the web site.

[Mattlan]

like the steam cleaner idea, great for heavy brackets, but for stuff like cam belt covers I can just picture myself chasing it all over!!

[Robb F]

pre wash in sink.

then into the dishwasher for a couple of cycles.

They'll come out clean enough to eat your dinner off.

[Starfighter]

Coke? Can be a very effective degreasing agent. Cheap US washes can also make life easier but not with the fizzy stuff and dont use it with very hot wash media. Check eBay.

Heat, Chemistry, Time and Agitation are 4 factors to consider.