Cleaning the Engine during TB Change
11-27-2005, 10:53 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Cleaning the Engine during TB Change
What have you found best to clean all the dirt and oil off the engine while you're doing a TB change? Brake fluid, carb cleaner, engine degreaser, etc. What works with the least amount of mess and odor? Also, has anyone figured out a way to keep the power steering fittings from weeping oil? That area has more gunk than anywhere else. Thanks!
11-27-2005, 11:27 PM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Depends on the condition.
Start with home-brew "gunk" (1 part water 1 part detergent 3 parts paint thinner...or thereabouts) and wire brush.
Steel wool with gunk or paint thinner.
Spray with brake cleaner.
Wipe down with paper towel and paint thinner.
Start with home-brew "gunk" (1 part water 1 part detergent 3 parts paint thinner...or thereabouts) and wire brush.
Steel wool with gunk or paint thinner.
Spray with brake cleaner.
Wipe down with paper towel and paint thinner.
11-27-2005, 11:55 PM
#4
Drifting
Use a plastic large sheet under the engine. Tape it with masking tape in four places to the outer body panels. At the lowest point, cut a 1 inch hole in the plastic sheet. Then place a oil drain pan or similar catch.
Use a citrus degreaser like heinrich suggests, tooth brush, and water rince from a spray bottle. Get busy, top to bottom.
Immediately after the water rince, spray a penetrating aerosol lubricant, like WD40, around in the crankshaft seal and other shafts and wipe up any excess lubricant. This is to flush any water and dirt that have entered these cavities.
Depending on your sewage treatment facility, it may be acceptable to pore the waste liquids down the drain where they will be digested at the waste treatment plant.
Use a citrus degreaser like heinrich suggests, tooth brush, and water rince from a spray bottle. Get busy, top to bottom.
Immediately after the water rince, spray a penetrating aerosol lubricant, like WD40, around in the crankshaft seal and other shafts and wipe up any excess lubricant. This is to flush any water and dirt that have entered these cavities.
Depending on your sewage treatment facility, it may be acceptable to pore the waste liquids down the drain where they will be digested at the waste treatment plant.
11-28-2005, 01:45 AM
#5
Under the Lift
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
If the power steering fluid is weeping from the hose junctions at the reservoir, one quick fix is to cut the last 1/2 inch off the hose to get to a "fresh" uncompressed area, providing your hoses have enough slack.
11-28-2005, 09:31 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
Warm engine, citrius degreaser and a garden hose work well outdoors - before you open the engine up.
Once surgery begins, layer plastic and newspapers below. Then recycle old paint brushes and swab out with varosol/mineral spirits/paint thinner ( all the same stuff). Blow dry with compressed air, and even the smallest crevices will come out clean. Use the solvent sparingly, and the newspapers will absorb everything.
Once surgery begins, layer plastic and newspapers below. Then recycle old paint brushes and swab out with varosol/mineral spirits/paint thinner ( all the same stuff). Blow dry with compressed air, and even the smallest crevices will come out clean. Use the solvent sparingly, and the newspapers will absorb everything.
11-28-2005, 10:59 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the great ideas and tips. Fortunately I keep the engine bay clean so it's not too bad but it's amazing how much dirt still collects that you can't get at or see until you pull things off. FWIW, the TB was last changed 7 years ago and logged 25,200 miles. It was a porsche belt and it still looks perfect.