P9C

This is probably an obvious matter for most of the members here but as I've been trying to find proper methods for cleaning head gaskets etc I found out that Scotchbrite (or other those green etc scouring pads) are an absolutely no-no for any type of cleaning work near the engine.

Those pads contain aluminium oxide particles and when used that dust ends up in the engine oil and that will create a havoc in the bearings.
Wish I had known this before I cleaned that sump gasket with one of those green scouring pads - although it's possible that (some of) those "kitchen" type of scouring pads don't have any hardening material and are made of nylon etc?

De Jeeper

My local automotive paint store stocks the blue 3m disks that r meant for aluminum. As with anything in a motor....Cleanliness is godliness.

sweet victory

If you have a steady hand, I like carbide scrapers, like this Lisle one. Price is very reasonable and USA made. You can easily gouge aluminum with carbide, so proceed with caution.


If you used scotchbrite to clean that sump surface, I imagine you would be fine assuming: you were doing this by hand and not with a power tool, you thoroughly cleaned the interior sump surfaces.

JohnCA58

Back im 2005, I was a trainer for Cummins Diesel, we were seeing a high number of failure in ISX 15 liter inframe overhauls, result was techs cleaning bottom half of engine with 3m pads that would take out rods and main bearing within 1000 miles, any warranty work done by the techs was not allowed to use 3M pads. especially in oil cooler area.and front and rear housings, it was hard breaking techs habit of using the pads but warranty denial on a 45k overhaul hurts.
No matter how clean you thought you were after using, particle from the pad end up all over, not one gasket on that engine was paper type gasket, training techs that gaskets surface did not have to have a mirror finish to the surface was a hard habit to break.

theprf

I use metal single ended razor blades. Hold it just right and it cuts off everything but the aluminum - including corrosion.

JohnCA58

the only thing we allowed to be used in the Cummins shops and Dealers was carbon scrapers.

Dr_Strangelove

I haven't used one yet but I've seen Magic Erasers recommended to remove liquid gasket. Besides the fact that they break apart and make a god awful mess what say the brain trust on Magic Erasers?

sweet victory

I'm assuming they were using roloc wheels with the abrasive pad? It's not hard to imagine how a wheel spinning at 15,000rpm is going to shed abrasive media EVERYWHERE.


To give the OP some peace of mind, those roloc wheels are a common die grinder attachment. You rubbing that sealing surface with a scouring pad over your finger is not going to engulf your workspace with debris like spinning a 2" wheel at 15,000rpm with some compressed air to help dispense that stuff everywhere.

sweet victory

This is probably what most people need to stick with and call it a day.

P9C

Thanks - yep - either that or a plastic scraper along with some proper chemicals to soften the carbon. Just beware - of course here lies another potential pit hole as on many Youtube videos some people are suggesting the use of some oven cleaners - luckily almost every time somebody points out that those contain sodium hydroxide (?) that eats aluminium.
So products like carb cleaner or Permatex gasket remover are worth trying?

75Sixer

Was doing some research for cleaning materials and saw this thread. I think the blue and green pads are made with nylon and synthetic fibers. It's the red pads that have aluminum oxide in them that gets everywhere. The red ones are aggressive and fall apart as you use them. I don't see anything wrong with using the green ones except they may give light mild scratches similar to 600 grit sand paper. Blue ones I think are ultra safe they are food grade and don't even scratch pots and pans.

Also another good trick is goo gone and rag or magic eraser.