[OTTERTOK]

Hi guys, so whats the best method of cleaning up an old four stroke engine or any engine with burnt on oil and fuel residue with out having to take them apart and boil them in antifreeze. Has anyone heard of a product called Demon cleaner, where you brush it on and after a certain amount of time wash it off with soapy water.

[Kevin McGrath]

Do a search using "antifreeze" and you will find more on the subject than you really want to know...........

[OTTERTOK]

Your right I did a search and just finished reading antifreeze ideas for the last hour. I would like to stay away from the boiling theory. I would like to be able to clean them without having to disassemble them.

[Dennis 9412]

The antifreeze method works without boiling also. It just takes a little longer. Just dip the engine into the cold antifreeze and leave it for a couple days. Doesn't do as good a job as the hot method, but it does clean.

Incidentally, you don't have to "boil" the antifreeze, you just have to heat it up a little. If you have an old crock pot, or you can find one at a garage sale, they work wonders, just don't use it for food anymore.

Regards,

Dennis

[wymbly1971]

I use Fantastic and a toothbrush. Throw in a bit of elbow grease too. My engine looks as good as the day I put it in new (52 flights).

I haven't used castor oil, and my engine never gets very dirty, so results may vary. It would be nice to know if this method is effective on a high time engine.

[bear28]

The best stuff i used is EASY OFF oven cleaner just spray it on and wait 5 min. and it all lifts off then rince in water with a tooth brush and you have a new engine.

[Kevin McGrath]

I cant vouch for the oven cleaner chemistry but some cleaners will turn some engines to a dull and unattractive grey and obviously attacks the surface.
Dennis is correct.............don't boil the antifreeze just warm overnight will do the job on the worst burned on castor based crud and I have never seen antifreeze attack the finish.

[OTTERTOK]

I kinda went overboard on the boiling thing didn't really mean it, what I read about the crokpot thing was like you've said just warm it up. But I am going to try the oven cleaner and see how it works and I will let everyone know the results.

[wymbly1971]

Just a little warning for the oven cleaner. Easy Off is the cats meow on cast iron car engines and I use it often. I have seen it get weird (spotting, etc) if left on aluminum for too long. Maybe anodizing, maybe...??

[vinver]

Most oven cleaners are Sodium Hydroxide based, though some newer ones may be more friendly. Sodium Hydroxide reacts quite strongly with aluminum (it's also known as "caustic soda") and can severely damage your engine parts if not washed off immediately and completely.
Funny-ish story- A friend of mine decided to 'dip" his Triumph motorcycle head in a solution of Caustic soda to clean off oil and carbon. The phone rang. Went in the house,He chatted,forgot about the head, then went out to mow the lawn. Was alerted by his barking dog to the bubbling cauldron in his garage. Came back to find most of the aluminum was eaten away, only the steel studs and iron valve guides were still intact. He never would show me the head, too embarassed I guess.
Vince