Engine cleaning?

[AngeloEvs]

For dirty, oily engines you have a bunch of cleaning fluids available but is there anything that you can use for aluminium engines to remove that white (oxide?) deposit - and while fitted?.........

My engine is in desperate need of a good clean

[ghost123uk]

Last time I asked a similar question most, of the answers were along the lines of "use elbow grease"

[dugwiththevwbug]

Good ole parafin spray on with battery disconnected agitate with a stiff brush and the jet wash of close all openings in to engine and best to drain oil and refresh after a bit of a messy job but works wonders for even better results use a steam cleaner regards doug

[ghost123uk]

I have been considering buying a "domestic grade" steam cleaner for such jobs, but have not been convinced of their abilities (compared to more expensive "commercial grade" ones).

Anyone got such a beast and can say how good or bad they are ?

Note, I am not interested in "jetwash" type cleaners, no where near good enough for engine / gearbox cleaning.

[delinkwent]

could try soda blasting with a compressor then rinse off with a pressure washer. the soda won't damage anything, just be careful where you're spraying it if the engine is in situ, wrap up carbs, etc. first. i use it for cleaning up engine cases, cylinder heads, carbs, etc. when rebuilding. it gets everything nice and shiny like new

get the right sort of soda though, not supermarket stuff

a 25kg bag costs about 30 quid + delivery and will be enough for 2 or 3 engine cases easy

see here for where you can get it http://www.millarsodablasting.com/index ... &Itemid=53

there are lots of opinions about needing the pots to blast the soda, they start from about 150 quid, but the stuff linked with a good compressor (15cfm+) and water trap will do the job well

there is a youtube of some guys cleaning up a vw engine with a very simple diy kit here and suppermarket bicarb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI_Bnl6l-OY

here are some before and after pics (not mine from the guy who told me about it)

[Ian and Lins]

Havn't tried it on VW alloy but Wonder Wheels works great on 'bike alloy.

[dansimpson]

"Elvis", member on here and the 'Yard does soda blasting

[jes*b]

"Elvis", member on here and the 'Yard does soda blasting

Yep. He tells me he's done an amazing job with the soda on my PS pump, apparently