• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Engine Parts Cleaning

  • Thread starter Thread starter caltrop
  • Start date Start date
C

caltrop

Guest
I'm planning to pretty much entirely disassemble the engine for my recently-acquired GS 450. Going to be checking out the overall condition, doing the rings probably, replacing a bunch of gaskets (multiple oil leaks currently, though it runs alright).

I did a simulated overhaul of a 6-cylinder air-cooled engine as part of my training as an aircraft mechanic (just finished school), so I'm comfortable with the whole disassembly, reassembly, etc. However, I don't have access to a shop or other locale that would have any manner of parts cleaner, and I'm wondering what recommended methods people have for cleaning everything up as I take it all apart.

I searched all the forum threads with "clean" and "cleaning" in the title, and found very little enlightenment (plenty on carbs, but little about the bigger stuff), so maybe this is just so obvious that everyone else knows it. All the same, personally, I'm feeling a bit in the dark. Any advice, tips, tricks, or even just pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
Hi babes.

Im doing a Soda crystals and Battery charger electrolysis thing on my fuel tank at the mo...
Seems to be working superbly...

Either that or Gunk and a toothbrush always worked ok in the past.....

Theres Ultrasonic cleaning....

And theres always a bowl ov hot soapy water... Old skool!!

good luck.
Xxx
 
Before disassembly, I have been known to spray the entire engine with a degreaser and let it soak in overnight. Load the bike on a trailer, take it to the car wash. Being careful where you spray the high pressure stuff, just hose everything you can with it. Repeat if necessary, but you can also use carb cleaner to reach into the deep recesses and also use a small brush to get between the fins. Some have suggested an assortment of gun cleaning brushes, I have not invested in any yet.

If you have access to such equipment, media blasting is said to clean well, but really gets into places that you would rather not have it, so be VERY careful with that.

.
 
Steve's suggestion to degrease the engine before dissembly is a good one. Gunk engine degreaser (or similar) works well.

For cleaning internal engine parts I use mineral spirits (paint thinner, the odorless variety stinks less).

For carbon removal on the piston crowns or on the head, physical abrasion works well (wire brush), particularly if you soak the parts in something like carb dip first.

Good luck
 
Last edited:
i washed my old honda cases in the dishwasher once and only once they came out pretty clean, but my ex yelled at me for a week , she still brings it up and its been 20years
 
If you're planning on refinishing the engine as well as rebuilding, you could use Marine Clean from POR-15 (POR15.com or something close). Good-bye grease, clear coat, and anything else on there.....I use it on the car engines I tear down. It does mean things to aluminum (chalky white stuff after cleaning) but it's easy to polish out or prep for paint.
 
It's surprising how well WD-40 & small stiff brushes work. Then hot soapy water using distilled water leaves only a few water spots. I do this all the time.
 
Nessism said:
For carbon removal on the piston crowns or on the head, physical abrasion works well (wire brush), particularly if you soak the parts in something like carb dip first.
Click to expand...
Been there, done that!

IMG_3956.jpg


IMG_3961.jpg


IMG_3959.jpg


IMG_3963.jpg


And spray the rings before removing the rags, to minimize the crud that might be caught behind them.



.
 
Steve didn't polish those piston tops! How do you sleep at night? :p
 
Steve said:
Before disassembly, I have been known to spray the entire engine with a degreaser and let it soak in overnight. Load the bike on a trailer, take it to the car wash.
Click to expand...

No access to a trailer. I'm guessing it wouldn't be good to run the bike after coating the engine with degreaser? Probably wouldn't get along with the heat... :D
 
caltrop said:
No access to a trailer. I'm guessing it wouldn't be good to run the bike after coating the engine with degreaser? Probably wouldn't get along with the heat... :D
Click to expand...

If you or a buddy/neighbor has a small power washer you could do that. I have one of the cheap electric ones. It's not super high pressure about the same as at a car wash. Something similar to this:
261-1593.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top