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I have a filthy mess on my hands

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Dadandson

Dadandson

Jedi Trainee
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Pulled the motor and trans over the weekend and now I need to clean the engine bay and trans. Started last night with a putty knife. I am sure to get better millage as I scraped probably 30 pounds of sludge, dead insects and old nuts and bolts out of it. I am looking for a chemical/detergent and method to make this easier. The gunk on the trans is very thick and stubborn. I am sure many of the members here have done what I am beginning so any enlightenment would be appreciated. I was thinking about oven cleaner?
 
How about mineral spirts from the paint store. It's what I used.
 
Hi Tim,
Simple Green along with some stiff bristle brushes will do a great job. Better for the environment too!
regards
Mark
 
Now you know why folks recommend steam-cleaning before you start!
Having got where you are though, my suggestion is to use scrapers etd for the big bits, then a hot strong solution of caustic soda (lye) to dissolve the rest. Be careful, though. Wear appropriate clothing - thick rubber gloves, long sleeves and pants, plenty of water about, goggles, etc. Also watch you don't leave it too long on aluminium bits 'cos it'll eat them away.
High-pressure hose it off - pressure washer's best.
Good Luck!
 
If you're going to use oven cleaner there's two things to keep in mind: 1) make sure it's non-toxic (you'd be suprised at what's on the market), 2) It needs heat to work effectively.

Now, luckily you're a few miles away in Gilbert, so here's an alternative method that I use. Find a nice spot outside in the heat where the tranmission can bake in the AZ sun. Soak it with a citrus cleaner (I use Garage Lightning citrus stuff). Rig a garden hose with a fine (high pressure) nozzle up to the washing machine hot water supply (when the wife isn't looking) if you don't have a hose bib hot water supply available (I added one to the garage, it's brilliant!).

Let it sit until midday to heat up. Then spray the heck out of it. Repeat as needed. The AZ sun may slow us down in the summer time and make the garage miserable, but you can also use it to your advantage.

Jody
 
Ahh shoot guys, even gasoline will work just fine. Just be careful.
 
Although I admit to having done it too many times, gasoline is just not smart. Kerosene works just as well and is a whole bunch safer. Simple Green or Castrol Super Clean also works quite well if you scrape the worst off first.
 
Agree with Bayless of course, just throwing out alternitives.
 
Hello, when I cleaned the bottom of my car I found that WD40 worked really good.
 
Blowtorch and gasoline? It would be clean. I will try something called "Holy Cow". I have used it for spot cleaning the garage floor and it worked well. A little spray, a little brush and a little garden hose. Just hope my wife doesn't notice it missing.
 
Simple Green or Purple Power (I think that's the name of the product) is good to use, and won't harm the environment. They probably will take the natural oil out of your skin, so wear gloves, and as Norm Abrams always says...wear safety glasses so you don't get any in your eyes. I've used the Purple stuff to soak parts in and get them good and clean and it works really well. Used it a couple of weekends on the nasty mess with my Jeep wheels.
 
it can be ugly.

but since you have gone this far ya might's well just go ahead and get the body blasted, dipped and primed...


:jester:

mark
 
Be careful using oven cleaner on aluminum (tranny casing), it usually contains sodium hydroxide (same with "old-style" Draino).
Sodium hydroxide will EAT aluminum- normal strength Draino will (would?) eat thru an aluminum icecube tray in less than 5 minutes! BTDT.
BillM

Note- new stuff with potassium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite doesn't seem to but use with caution.
 
I used cheap brake cleaner. Couple cans with a toothbrush, putty knife, and some rags and it all came out of my engine bay with a few hours of work.
 
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