Engine part cleaning

[Flatspotter]

Hey guys!

First post here! Hopefully not my last

I'm currently dismantling a knackered rover V8 and I'm planning to use the block as a coffee table stand ala Top Gear, I am also planning a few interesting things with other parts like pistons etc.

What I'd like help with is the cleaning process. What is the best stuff for me to bathe the pistons in to take all the baked on crud and carbon off? I don't mind purchasing a professional cleaner-degreaser as long as it works. I was thinking getting them sand/glass blasted but that gets a bit expensive to do all 8 pistons

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!
F

[Steve_D]

Put them in the dishwasher but don't get caught.

Steve

[stevesingo]

I concur.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Steve

[eliot]

I use Tech Kleen. Pretty powerful stuff. If used neat it will fiz and bubble on ally, so you need to go easy and dilute it down. Use gloves and dont get it on your skin or eyes.
http://www.astralcsl.com/product.do?product=38349
It will tarnish polished ally - so always test.

[Flatspotter]

Lol do you want me to get kicked out?!

I'l see if I can mount some kind of covert mission :P

[Flatspotter]

Thanks Eliot,

I will check that stuff out if the Dish-washer doesn't get the desired results.

Cheers!

[cptsideways]

Rummages on freecyle for a dishwasher for the garage.....

[Egg Chaser]

Soak the pistons in diesel for 24 hours (or longer if you need to), then use a brush to loosen any crap that's still on them. That should clean them quite well.

[Flatspotter]

Well I will be honest, the dishwasher did sod all. I'm going to call that company on Monday and try to get a bottle of tech clean. How much is it usually? Should also help me with cleaning the block as well..

[Flatspotter]

I'm going to give nitromorse paint remover a go on one of the pistons to see how that works, will report back.

[MARSHO]

That foamy oven cleaner stuff worked for me.

[motorsportbeng]

tried spinning the pistons up in a lathe with a bit of scotch brite and then fine paper for a good polishing

[Flatspotter]

That will be what I will do once I get them clean...

The insides are literally black with baked on carbon so I need to get that out first.

[porka911t]

Take them along to your local Engine re manufacturer. He will have acid baths and hot tanks very cheap and you will not f--- your hands and eyes up with chemicals you do not understand.

[Simon says]

Cellulose thinners/gun wash just avoid plastics and don't use in an enclosed space as the vapours are not healthy to inhale it's also highly volatile but apart from all that it zaps through carbon and oily scum with great vigour

Edited by Simon says on Monday 9th May 21:24

[spend]

B&Q & the like sell caustic soda crystals cheaply. That shifts carbon deposits fine if you leave to soak. I've left valves in the powder & that works, so you might be able to to paint a 'thick' solution on the engine block?

[Simon says]

spend said:

B&Q & the like sell caustic soda crystals cheaply. That shifts carbon deposits fine if you leave to soak. I've left valves in the powder & that works, so you might be able to to paint a 'thick' solution on the engine block?

that use to be the chemical of choice to de-coke 2 stroke exhaust components another product to take care with as is most of these aggressive cleaners

[Carby131]

If you havent already done this project i can highly recomend soda blasting, clears off all deposits down to bare metal without damaging any machined faces, then you can get down to polishing it, if you have a right angle grinder (die grinder) you can pick up polishing discs quite cheaply

[kev b]

Caustic soda will quickly dissolve aluminium! I would get the job done by an engine reconditioner unless you want to spend a very long time removing the dirt manually. Bead/soda blasting works well but the parts need to be grease free for it to work,the downside is it will leave the parts with a dull sheen finish at best.

[blitzracing]

Oven cleaner (The nasty caustic spray on foam type, it think its the Mr Muscle stuff)) works very well on carbon and oil, but it does leave the alluminum a satin grey colour. Ive never managed to find a product that will leave it bright silver, even the acid based alloy wheel cleaners dont do this.