Cleaning Engine Components

2Grumpy · Post by **2Grumpy** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 1:10 pm

Hi,

I wanted to know if someone could tell me what solutions the "Pro's" use to clean heads and radiator cores before they rebuild them.

I sent a truck head away years ago to get worked on and it came back spotless in every nook and cranny. I'm about to do the same to my l series and what to start clean.

I know it can't be degreaser it's to clean and the radiator cores aren't that shelf stuff from Repco.

Cheers

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 2:43 pm

Dish washer for the heads...........Just don't tell mum.

They usually take the tanks off radiators and use a rod like a dip stick to push any build up out or you could go and buy a couple of litres of vinegar and fill it/plug it, then let it sit over night then flush it, I did this once & it didn't hurt it & dissolves any lime like build up.

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 5:29 pm

there is a beautiful machine called a robowash(industrial strength dishwasher) that uses water and chemicals to clean heads and as d_generate said a mild acid is used to clean radiator cores (brass not aluminium)

and yes a dishwasher set on scrub will do the job

TOONGA

wrxer · Post by **wrxer** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:58 pm

mr muscle oven cleaner. check the labels and get the stuff with the most caustic in it. dissolves oil and grease and makes aluminium stuff real clean. dont leave it on for too long tho.
scrub the caustic with the mrs toothbrush

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 1:45 am

Oven cleaner is also great for getting red staining out of paint/metal from being up north, just don't leave it on for too long.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:42 am

A workmate years ago reckoned he made a small fortune cleaning radiators out for people in the Riverina using caustic soda left to sit a while then a horsedicklike fitting in one end and compressed air went with tap water also fed into this thing

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:09 am

Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, aka draino, aka lye) is the active ingredient in just about every great cleaning product on the market (and a few recipies that will get you sent to jail for being a chemist)

I would be very cautious about using it on aluminium as I have used it to etch aluminium (with great results) for printing purposes

as well it gives your lungs that just cleaned feeling if you breathe the vapour in

TOONGA

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:03 pm

Brake Cleaner will help.
Cheers
AP