I've got a not-so-shiny new engine, trans and head, and as I tear it down I'd like to clean up all the bits to like new quality. This will make it a nicer task when I start dry-building the thing hundreds of times to learn all about these beautiful little machines.

I was looking at 5L jugs of all-purpose degreasers from Bunnings and the like, but thought I'd ask around here to see what you guys like the best. If you are going to be soaking engine bits in your bathtub, what cleaners (and or spirits) might you use? The less I have to scrub the better.

Thanks.

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1998 Rover Mk VII
2001 Honda CBR 929RR (street)
2014 BMW S1000RR (track)

Just use diesel petrol, as in the stuff you can buy at the bowser. Soak your parts in there for a few days or so and all the grime and crud will soften up. After that, it's elbow grease and degreaser and everything will come out bling bling. Don't put anything rubber into diesel as the rubber will swell.

This is how I got mine clean. Rust on the other hand requires molasses dipping or redistrip acid dipping. You'll want dismantle everything and pop off the oil gallery plugs and get dirty with rifle brushes etc.

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

I've been experimenting with white vinegar for the past couple of weeks for rust removal in a plastic tub. At $1.10 for 2L I think I've spent $6.60 so far!

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

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wow not bad

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

That's amazing.
Molasses is pretty good on plain rust after a couple of weeks, but if it's greasy or carboned up like your chambers were, I doubt it would come up as good.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I recall a bloke posting photos of vinegar rust removal here a few years ago.
He took his photos down in disgust after abuse from other forum members.

Who was that?

Love the vinegar result.

I did use diesel a lot for removing old grime, it was just that it didn't evaporate away once you sat it on the shelf, and the smell was a problem for he family when I opened the door (garage attached to house issues). I tried kero, which works great, but the smell is again pretty awful. I settled on turps in my little parts washer.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Every couple of months I leave the kitchen kettle overnight with approximately 1:6 white vinegar/water mix. You should see the rubbish that comes out, and leaves the kettle super-clean inside.

Similar result on our electric kettle/jug using lemon juice.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Wow, the vinegar results are impressive! Fortunately I don't have to deal with rust, just general grime, grease and filth.

I don't mind putting in the hard work with some good 'ol fashioned elbow grease, but I figure if I have to buy a fluid I might as well find the right one. And I've heard of diesel for loosening up stuck bits, but never considered it for general cleaning. I like it.
What do you do with all the filthy diesel after you're done cleaning? Most of the Bunnings degreasers and that claim to be biodegradable, so I was thinking I could separate the soot form the liquid and send it down the drain. Maybe not the most eco-friendly option, but not sure what else to do with it!

How about metho or kerosene? Any concerns about letting various engine parts sit in spirits overnight?

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1998 Rover Mk VII
2001 Honda CBR 929RR (street)
2014 BMW S1000RR (track)

Diesel reeks, so does kero.

There's no noticeable difference (IMHO) between the turps and the kero for grime removal, nor diesel in the short term for that matter. The problem with diesel comes when you go to refinish the part. The diesel will still be on it and it won't take the paint very well.

Metho is too light, as is petrol. It flashes off into vapour very quickly. Petrol is just a little too dangerous on a work bench. Effective however at degreasing!

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I like the elcheapo super cheap auto export degreaser spray cans .
works for me

That stuff is SuperCrap
The 5 Star cans that Woolies sell is great.
For really tough old grime try Selleys BBQ cleaner from Bunnings

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Too many cars, and too little time.

I use diesel, then finish off with Export degreaser from supercrap.
My hands are susceptible to dermatitis, but neither diesel nor this degreaser bothers them. Unlike petrol or kero.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I know there is proper parts washer liquid that is non-flammable and barley smells I just can't remember the name of it. Maybe drop into a local engine or gearbox builder and ask what they use. I've had a parts washer ignite when using petrol/diesel mix so be careful.

At home my first step is to spray the parts with the Supercheap export degreaser, leave for 5 min, then wash them off with the pressure washer on the grass or gravel driveway, then let sun dry or blow off with compressed air.
I've used molasses in the past and it does work but it takes a week or two. I might try the vinegar next time.


Also just so you're aware, Diesel and Petrol and most likely some of the store bought products do cause cancer so the less skin contact and fumes you breath in the better.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.