engine cleaning advice please

[brewmeister]

I want to clean the aluminum engine case and I'm looking for any sugestions on the best way to do it. Thanks in advance:nod:help

[gertiektn]

put away the beer and get out the scrubbers.
A$$es and elbows.
Get to work.
There is no easy way. You can disassemble and bead blast if you are doing a complete restoration. Otherwise, apply elbow grease, with the help of commercial cleaners.

I know, you thought there was an easy way. :D

[brewmeister]

put away the beer and get out the scrubbers.
A$$es and elbows.
Get to work.
There is no easy way. You can disassemble and bead blast if you are doing a complete restoration. Otherwise, apply elbow grease, with the help of commercial cleaners.

I know, you thought there was an easy way. :D

Beer can be food but Food can never be Beer!- I'll get right to it. burp!

[mmmalmberg]

A fine-bristled stainless steel wire brush, like a big toothbrush, has worked well for me. Make sure it's stainless and not too coarse or stiff. That with good old soapy water, gunk, simple green or whatever your choice of weapons might be... I find it helpful to degrease first then do the scrubbing thing with a high concentration of detergent in a small amount of hot water.

Also I've liked using S100 corrosion protectant after; be sure to wipe it off while still wet or it leaves a sticky layer...

[rocketman]

As a friend on mine, Richard SIE, once said in reference to cleaning..esp. older machines...

"A ridden motorcycle is like a cast iron skillet, it mellows with age,
Wash it and you destroy years of seasoning!"

ever hour spent cleaning is an hour Not spent riding.... :lol:

Go for a nice rainy day ride and it will get all the washing it needs!

RM

[kstoo]

mmmalmberg,
+1 and WD-40. Sometimes where detergent won't work WD-40 will.

rocketman,
uh, some motorcycles, that may be true. Some others that I've seen, ain't no way I'm eatin' off that thing. Clean that skillet and re-cure it!

[mneblett]

I want to clean the aluminum engine case and I'm looking for any sugestions on the best way to do it. Thanks in advance:nod:help
WD-40, a pile of green/yellow non-marring ScotchBrite pads, and hours of elbow grease.

Worked for SWMBO's /5 (at the clean up time, ~30 years of daily use) and our '94 R100 Mystic (whose engine case was covered in white aluminum oxide spots from years of Gulf Coast air exposure):

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/mneblett/Four%20Boxers/CIMG1436.jpg

[lkchris]

Oak at one time recommended a product sold for cleaning aluminum screen doors.

[20774]

Oak at one time recommended a product sold for cleaning aluminum screen doors.

I believe that's Alum-i-nu or something like that. I thought I'd give that a try when I was restoring my /2. Took a bit to get it from either True Value or Ace Hardware. Didn't work...turned the aluminum blackish. I ended up using the green scotchbrite pads and WD40. Other parts - the mechanic doing the head work glass bead blasted the heads, the engine block (it was a bare block, nothing in it) I used the foaming engine cleaner from Wally World and the high pressure hose at the car wash along with the scotchbrite pads. As mentioned, there's lots of elbow grease needed...

[Barron_Williams]

Start with Simple Green to get most of the grease and oil off.

Finish with Simichrome, applied with a toothbrush and removed with a piece of towel.

With some patience and elbow grease, you will have a really nice looking aluminum engine and rocker arm covers.

Barron

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Major Grime Removal
To get the initial grime off, I used Flitz, Scotchbrite pads, stiff tooth brush and simple green liberally. Makes a mess, but it should really be a one time thing.

No affiliation: http://www.flitz.com

After the Major Grime Removal
When I finish cleaning up, I run the bike to get it warm (not really hot) then rub a very light coating of white lithium grease, let sit until cool, then wipe/polish with a few clean rags. The warm engine allows the grease to be sucked into the pores and is somewhat waterproof. After a ride, its easy to wipe down.

Note: when I say light coat, I mean it. Just enough to seal the pores and make each wipe down easy. Afterward, if you rub it with your hands, they shouldn't be greasy. I do it after each wash or on a rainy day.

YMMV, each to their own. Seems like everyone has their technique. I've never had much luck with WD-40, but mneblett's stable sure looks good! :thumb

[brewmeister]

Thanks everyone, now I need to roll up my sleeves,and start scrubbing,while setting down my beer.:clap:clap

[GREGT1]

Just a FYI, You can buy WD-40 in Gallons at Auto-Zone and save alot of money. I think I would use a degreaser like simple Green, followed by WD 40 and a small stiff nylon brush, followed by a aggressive cleanser like comet.

To make it look like new you can take it all apart and blast the parts with baking soda. My engine really doesn't need to be that clean. I would not be buffing on the castings with any power tools since the engine runs much cooler with a porous surface. As many have posted riding is more fun.

[markb635]

My favorite method is:

1) hose everything down with ultra-liberal amounts of brake or carburetor cleaner. It will literally dissolve the grease and grime into thin air. I prefer non-chlorinated brake cleaner for it's spring fresh scent.

2) scrub with a brush and Scotchbrite pad with Simple Green

3) rinse off the Simple Green and dry

4) hose it down with WD-40, wiping off the excess

[Gipper]

I use aluminum wheel cleaner for polished aluminum wheels, soak 2-3 min & scrub with scotchbrite pads. Second round of wheel cleaner - soak & rinse.

[fabiox]

WD40 is the man !

[26667]

brake cleaner. it cuts the oil and evaporates

[AnnapolisAirhead]

brake cleaner. it cuts the oil and evaporates

Indeed it does...but be careful around any rubber bits, it will begin to deteriorate them quickly. Also, where gloves...give your liver a brake.

[26667]

thanx, AA. i was hoping someone would offer additional advice re: brake cleaner.

[amiles]

Sacrilege, I have had really good luck with good old powdered tide laundry detergent. Not for painted surfaces. The tide seems to have a slight bleaching effect as well as degreasing. You may already have some!

[vanzen]

two words:

soda blast !!

a quick & easy method to clean alloy castings

[tthouses]

speaking of which, how do you clean oxidation on the wheel drums? just get in there with a brush and scub it? i had cleaned my wheels on my R90/6 with some wheel cleaner only to find out later, after i read the directions "not to be used on aluminum motorcycle wheels", left a matter finsih. can I bring back the luster somehow? whats best to clean spokes? my restoration guy mentioned smemichorme polish?
thanks
paul
R90/6 76'