What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime?

[wickware]

What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime?

1. My thought is a siphon engine cleaning attachment, mixing naphtha, compressed air and a 1? paint brush. Looking at pics, naphtha might not be a good idea on rubber hoses. That leaves the 1? paint brush and naphtha.

2. I feel power-washing water w/n be good for electrical wires, ignition/Etc., and mechanics before re-greasing.

3. Is hand applying/packing the best method to grease the moving joints with marine grease?

4. Over greasing vs not greasing has made a mess over the years and looks a mess if no ill affects.

JOW

 

[foodfisher]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

I scraped the bulk stuff with a tool that would fit the area. Putty knife, screwdriver even dental picks. Then wiped with wd 40 soaked raggs until I was happy with the look. Now I just wipe excess with a rag at each injection. That wd 40 is handy stuff.

 

[mrwiggles2]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

You can try purple power, but so you know, if you use it full strength, it will tend to turn the white purple... but it cleans very well.

I sprayed it on the outside of my LU because of leaking gaskets prior to replacement and it cleaned up nicely. I then used a hose to rinse- just letting the fat water softly rinse, no hose attachments or sprayers.

 

[wickware]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

Thanks for the replies. Thanks for reminding me of the WD-40. With a can of WD-40, 1? paintbrush, compressed air and a little patience, ?The Challenge Is On?.

JOW

 

[RRitt]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

My first step would be to trailer the boat on up to "Joe's U-spay-it car wash" and pressure wash the innards.

My second step would be to go to the grocery store and get a nice stiff vegetable brush with 10" handle.

Harbor Freight tools sells this "heavy duty degreaser" stuff for $10 a gallon. Get the yellow stuff. It works better than the purple. I mix 1 cup per gallon of warm/hot water. It cuts through thick layers of accumulated grease without damaging the paint, plastic, or insulation.

That would be third.

Fourth would be a tub of marine grease and a flux brush to relube all the linkages and stuff.

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

I'm dealing with this right now with my 70 hp. I've stripped off the head and head cover, the CDI box, fuel pump, capped the fuel pump line ports on the block and pulled the carbs too. (Carbs are awaiting kits and the fuel pump just got a complete re-build including all three check valves.)
After covering things neatly I went to work. I had LAYERS of what I think was old dried fogging oil just covering the block exterior. It was like some kind of melted then hardened oil candy. NASTY!! I've been lightly using PB Blaster pentrating oil on the crankcase, letting it sit for a bit, scrubbing with about a 8" stiff bristle brush (WITH a knuckle stop on the handle, trust me you REALLY want this option.), scrapping with a plastic putty knife and razor blade, wiping with a shop towel, spraying with BrakeKleen, then wipe everything down. Repeat as needed. Repeat as needed. etc., etc... well you get the idea!
It has made a world of difference in the appearence of my engine block and the lower engine pan and LU. Doesn't look brand new, but for a 42 year old outboard she starting to look quite nice.

Dan

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

I stay away from WD-40. It has a 70% evaporation rate and attracts dirt. I use a new product on the market that has less then 1% evaporation rate...the only problem is that you have to find someone in your area that sells it.http://www.inox-mx3.com/inox.htm

 

[foodfisher]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

Shamus, WD40 in this thread is for cleaning up grease residue, not lubricating. Don't know your product.

 

[Slimbob]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

FYI!
Keep degreaser or any chemicals away from your garden or other vegetation you want to stay alive.

Slimbob

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

Shamus, WD40 in this thread is for cleaning up grease residue, not lubricating. Don't know your product.

nor gonna argue about what I do or don't know.......what I am saying is why use two or three differant products when one does it all, CLEANS,PROTECTS AND LUBRICATES.....WD-40 for cleaning...you might as well pour gas on the grease...both are petroleum based.

 

[wickware]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

Today was the day to clean the motor since 1985 even though I have greased yearly or as needed. 75 degrees and 30 mph wind, what else could I do. The task was not fun and I feel I used some of all the methods mentioned.

1. I put my empty drum in place to catch the chemicals and Etc. as I degreased, scrubbed, used warm soap/water and compressed air to rinse. This was a slow process with no end, I went an hour over scrubbing.

2. I took a short break to let the sun and wind help dry the motor (about 2 hrs before greasing and firing up 5 minutes.

3. The cleaning revealed worn parts, breaks, needed adjustments, a bad zirk, and Etc. but nothing serious.

4. The pic after the cleaning encouraged more cleaning that I h/n noticed and there is no end, You Stop!

5. I?ll double-check the greasing after looking at pics and motor (too many little needs if this is not a hobby).

6. Would this cleaning earn a C+ at MIT and with the compression clamp? LOL. A Tach is listed on the electrical wiring block but that?s history for now?

It?s Time To Catch Some Fish! JOW

 

[foodfisher]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

Another fun thing to consider. Down in the motor leg is a rubberish foam donut that prevents exhaust gases from entering the cowling. The degreasers may have run down and are eating it into disintegration. Might want to pull the covers and clean it too.

 

[wickware]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

About where is the donut located on the 1970 35 HP Chrysler? I used about a quart of cheap paint thinner scrubbing with a 1? and 2? paint brush vs spraying. Next, I scrubbed with 1.5 gallons of hot soapy water before flushing with compressed air and soapy water. Basically, everything that drained down vs being blown away went to the deep small outer drain holes and into the drum. I just doubled checked and small outer holes and larger inner holes that I could see drained into the drum vs leg. I did see there is a car-wash cleaning job under the housing, ?that I totally missed?.

JOW

 

[RRitt]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

They don't have pressure washer carwash places anymore? Always did a bang up job on all my various machines.

 

[wickware]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

I will be interesting to see if the Car-Wash?s high pressure is gone here (Dallas/Fort Worth Area). I doubt it for some reason. Living 3 blocks away I feel I still see the good pressure. I have a pulsating washer that I felt would have more pressure (that is a pain to set-up). I connect hot water, compressed air and cleaning solution and spray one or all as needed. It?s OK for spraying a degreaser and flushing it of (very little cutting from the pressure).

Jow

 

[foodfisher]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

Sorry, I don,t know if a 35hp has the lower leg donut or not.

 

[wickware]

Re: What?s a good method of cleaning a motor?s case of excess grease attracting grime

I cleaned the motor?s bottom after repairing a stripped Zerk worked and allowed some extra time.

1. I guess you could say there is a rubber molding/Etc around the bottom of the motor that you w/n want a strong degreaser to sit on long.

2. I used my paint thinner, paint brushes, Hot soapy water and hosed off vs compressed air (avoiding scrubbing the molding with thinner).

3. I d/n notice the molding from the inside due to it being more under the motor.

4. Again, I found a good point to Stop. Plus, I got good grease from the installed Zerk at the top and bottom of motor?s vertical pivot point.

JOW