Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 07:47:14 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: Engine Case Cleaning
In-Reply-To: <23.3a029e3c.2d43b46f@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Frank, when I was in the Navy, then later in aircraft mechanic school
for heavy cleaning jobs we used a mixture of detergent soap and diesel
fuel in a pressure wash. The item was soaked in mineral spirits for a
couple of days, the pressure washed, pressure rinsed with clear water,
the force air dried. Then a light mist of minieral spirts sprayed on,
mineral spirits being an oil base as well as a solvent. This process
didn't really address corrosion issues with aluminum however. For
corrosion with aluminum it was a wire brush and zinc chromate for
corrosion control.
One problem with aluminum castings is that they can develop what is
known a "inter-granular corrosion" where the corrosion extends
completely through the metal from one side to the other in the form of
granules.. Eventually this will weaken the metal and cause a failure.
Not any real way to deal with that except replace the part.
Regards.
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Frank Condelli wrote:
>What's the trick to getting the engine case sparkling clean when rebuilding
>? I have looked into this locally and have been told by two engine
>rebuilding machine shops that the chemical dunk tanks they normally use are not good
>for aluminium. The chemicals they use will turn the aluminium to mush they
>say. They also say there is no aternative other than pressure washing or
>perhaps oven baking. I have tried various engine shampoos and pressure washing
>but the corrosion from oil and salt deposits on the cases remain. I think
>there must be a chemical alternative. Anyone with suggestions please ?
>Cheers,
>
>Frank Condelli
>Almonte, Ontario, Canada
>_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
>camping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~ 13, 2004
>'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
>Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
>(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/) & _CCVWC_
>(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
>Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
>_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers_
>(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
>_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
>or http://frankcondelli.com
>
>
>
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