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steviegsi
31-01-11, 04:07 AM
Need to clean my engine a bit before I put it in the car. ( may even paint it too). What's the best approach for taking off years worth of dirt stuck to oil off it and the gearbox? Had a go with gunk and a plastic brush thing the other day but it's not working well.

Was thinking about buying a cheap steam cleaner out of halfords, but thought someone off here may have a brighter idea? :)

nova_saloon
31-01-11, 09:05 PM
scratch off the thick stuff and get a can of brake parts cleaner or air intake cleaner all the same stuff, that always works a treat!. or get one of thoose pump up plastic containers that spray water or whatever you stick in them and then buy a 5L container of brakesparts cleaner, and then you will be able to clean all your engine parts and all the inside of the block then!! whooop its what i do

steviegsi
31-01-11, 10:01 PM
Cheers for that! Never thought of brake cleaner. It's only for the outside of the block and box, as I don't want to split or it's likely I'll loose/break/or make a balls of it!

MK999
31-01-11, 10:03 PM
brake cleaner is pretty awesome at it but expensive too, I found comma hyperclean to be awesome stuff, don't get it on your hands though! It 'degreased' mine pretty thoroughly and the back of my hands currently look like a 70 year old miners!

Pistol Pete
31-01-11, 10:35 PM
Another vote for Comma stuff here. I used it when doing mine. Ran out, so had to use. Gunk. This is ****e. Wouldnt give it to the local tramp!!

MK999
31-01-11, 10:37 PM
I have used gunk before and as said the comma stuff is like night and day. It does also work well on hands though, unlike gunk, hence me drying mine out good and proper without even thinking lol

Andy
31-01-11, 10:37 PM
Gunk is basically red diesel

Grey
31-01-11, 11:55 PM
Depends there is lots of ideas lol i agree with andy^^ BUT i will say i have used a can of crappy brake cleaner my old colgate toothbrush and fairy liquid water on my F16 box!! come up a treat!!

steviegsi
31-01-11, 11:56 PM
Brake cleaner it is then. I'll see if I can find any of that comma hyperclean too. Am I likely to find it in a motorfactors or is it intended for something unrelated to cars as I've never heard of it?

Grey
01-02-11, 12:08 AM
Type it in google or ebay... im sure you can get it from a decent motor factors though.... :)

steviegsi
01-02-11, 12:19 AM
Quick search says about £18 for 5 litres of the comma stuff. So hopefully can get my hands on that tomorrow when I'm off.

For giving the engine a lick of paint would hammerite suffice or will I need high temp paint? ( just so happens I've got a good few litres of hammerite in the garage I don't need!)

nova_saloon
01-02-11, 01:15 AM
dont use it to blast of the thick crap, just remove that first, then it will degrease everything really well. it works so well comeing out of a compressed container. make sure you keep in the open otherwise you will get high! and engine degreaser is good you just have to wash it down with water and then it runs all over the driveway where i just stick it on a big sheet of cardboard and blast it with brake cleaner. any good motorfactors will do. my one sells the 5l tub or a can of the spray! go to clas ohslon for the spray pump, there win!

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?id=147896757

steviegsi
01-02-11, 01:19 AM
Think I may have one of them sprayers at home somewhere. I'll post up pics of how I get on tomorrow or Wednesday if all goes well.

nova_saloon
01-02-11, 02:21 AM
yes before and after pictures! , and what you end up using!

pikey1986
01-02-11, 03:45 PM
i use petrol to clean off oil/grease

Trendall
01-02-11, 03:52 PM
same as you pikey i use petrol to clean almost everything yeah it smells but it will strip away almost anything. put it in a water bottle squirt thingy spray on and leave for a minute and wipe off. job done :d

Llew
28-04-13, 01:15 AM
I have always just used a jar full of petrol.. it lifts the dirt right out on most surfaces, get a tough brush and get scrubbing..

Timmy
28-04-13, 10:31 PM
White sprite works well and cheap, drill with wire brush attached to clean old paint before reprinting it, and paint just use hammer rite paint