Date:         Tue, 24 Aug 2004 12:37:52 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: engine cleaning do's and don'ts?
Comments: To: Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <004701c48a0a$de3c5b20$49d2ea42@ttower17def>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I've been using Castrol SC for years.  The same as most degreasers, it
will etch aluminum if left in contact for very long.

The trick is to apply it, brush it, and remove it - like, now!

Anything in the engine compartment is fair game.  If it gets etched,
that's OK.  I remove it immediately from stuff like alloy wheels.

Karl Wolz

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf Of
> Doug in Calif
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 11:48 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: engine cleaning do's and don'ts?
>
> Sorry to disagree Karl,
>
> DO NOT USE CASTROL SUPER CLEAN (PURPLE BOTTLE) ON ANYTHING
> YOU WOULD NOT
> SPRAY EASY-OFF OVEN CLEANER ON.
>
> This product has ruined more motorcycle parts, engine metal, cad
plating,
> clear coats, than you can imagine!
>
> For those of us (like me) who cannot afford to buy a NEW Porsche,
please as
> somebody's previous owner to your car, please use Castrol Super Clean
very
> carefully.  It's not at all like the citrus cleaners today.
>
> Doug
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Karl Wolz" <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 11:17 AM
> Subject: Re: engine cleaning do's and don'ts?
>
>
> > My procedure, FWIW: turn off engine; spray with degreaser (Castrol
> > purple stuff for me); wait 5 - 10 minutes; respray nasty parts; wait
a
> > minute; high pressure wash.  I don't disconnect the battery and I
kinda
> > avoid completely dousing the distributor.
> >
> > Karl Wolz
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > Behalf Of
> > > Matt Sutton
> > > Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 8:16 AM
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Subject: engine cleaning do's and don'ts?
> > >
> > > Hi folks,
> > >     With a bunch of jobs coming up (water pump, engine hoses,
coolant
> > swap,
> > > tranny fluid swap, CV re grease...) I was thinking now would be a
good
> > time
> > > to clean/ degrease the engine bay and tranny. Been to the
archives,
> > comments
> > > are mixed- "no water!" "don't do it!" "Hi-pressure water" "
compressed
> > air"
> > > etc.
> > >     I have some constraints: city dweller, no driveway, no access
to
> > > curbside running water. If I go to a coin-op wash, I figure I'll
be
> > > disconnecting the battery, and bagging the alternator,
distributor,
> > and
> > > ignition coil. I'll bring some WD-40 to dry out connectors
afterwards.
> > >     Any angles on smart procedures and products would be much
> > welcomed,
> > > along with warnings, admonitions, etc.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Matt Sutton
> > > 88 GL 170k
> > > Brooklyn NY