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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
Comments: To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
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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