Andy C Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 I have a a couple of old 2 stroke engines which I would like to clean up and get them somewhat closer to looking new again. How does everyone go about this please. I have seen some ideas that simply say stick them in a pan of boiling water but I cant believe it is that easy otherwise I am sure many more of us would have shiny engines on the front of our planes? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 I have never cleaned a car . I own no car cleaning stuff. Ditto aircraft engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Pan and old tooth brush will make a good start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 We have a clubmate with an ultrasonic bath, brings them up like new ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 8 hours ago, Frank Skilbeck said: We have a clubmate with an ultrasonic bath, brings them up like new ? What does he use in it, I tried special cleaning liquid and even acetone in a friends ultrasonic bath, a waste of time ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 (edited) I use the ultrasonic bath. For my cleaning fluid I use this. Awesome Cleaner Brings them up like new. I got my inspiration from this guy. Sadly he no longer does rebuilds, but there is a wealth of information in his video`s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFYfcV1Fsxk&t=60s Edited March 30, 2022 by Kevin Fairgrieve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 Now that looks clean, any idea ( out of stock ) what's in it ?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 (edited) It says it's degreaser. Maybe worth trying another brand if you can't get that one? I've used washing powder + hot water (not boiling, just simmering) before, you do risk discolouration though, can't say I'd entirely recommend it. Works if you're not worried about maintaining the bright shine. Edited March 30, 2022 by Nigel R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrman Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 I've used this with good results both in an ultrasonic cleaner and for cleaning down after flying.(diluted 50/50 with water) http://www.rhinogoo.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 For removal of stubborn deposits baked on a head a stainless steel rotary wire brush on a Dremel works well, stainless wire is quite soft. Before and after pics of Irvine 46 I was fixing up. [ do not use on brush on painted engines [ Irvine @ OS ] unless you want to remove the paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Channing Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 How on earth can anyone let an engine, which is a precision machine get in that state in the first place (not saying that it is your engine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 Oh, it is my engine which has been resident in my much flown ARC Jupiter for the last twenty years. Been a great very reliable and easy to start unit but is well worn. In early days it ran on castor fuel [ gave that up ages ago ] and that is what you see, burnt on castor residue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 7 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Now that looks clean, any idea ( out of stock ) what's in it ?. Do you mean the LA`s? It is just a degreaser, but who knows what is in it! All I know is it works for me. Showing in stock for me. The ultrasonic cleaner I use will only accommodate one engine at a time, but then I only work on one at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 Do you use it neat or thin it down Kevin ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 5 minutes ago, kevin b said: Do you use it neat or thin it down Kevin ? Thinned down. Depending on the amount of muck to clean off somewhere between 60 and 90 percent. Somewhere I have written down the mix, but for some reason it is not with the bottle where it normally is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 (edited) 16 hours ago, Jason Channing said: How on earth can anyone let an engine, which is a precision machine get in that state in the first place (not saying that it is your engine) Oh come on Jason, this is an engine that has been used for years, not one in a glass fronted cabinet waiting for it's value to go up ? Ps probable installed inverted and fed with that wonderful oil, Castor,,,,,? Edited March 31, 2022 by Paul De Tourtoulon ps 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Channing Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 3 minutes ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Oh come on Jason, this is an engine that has been used for years, not one in a glass fronted cabinet waiting for it's value to go up ? Ps probable installed inverted and fed with that wonderful oil, Castor,,,,,? I dont have engines in any glass cabinets but I do clean them after use.5000 years ago when I started flying I learnt to clean the engines and airframe at the end of the day not at the end of its life ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 14 minutes ago, Jason Channing said: I dont have engines in any glass cabinets but I do clean them after use.5000 years ago when I started flying I learnt to clean the engines and airframe at the end of the day not at the end of its life ? You appear to be criticising others who don't follow your routine, which applies to me as I just can't be bothered with cleaning. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis 2 Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 I don't care what my engines look like on the outside either, just as long as they work. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 38 minutes ago, David Davis 2 said: I don't care what my engines look like on the outside either, just as long as they work. There is an old saying. "Look after your tools and they will look after you". I think the days of cheap imported replacement ic engines have now gone, so it might be an idea to start taking a bit more care with them (or don't moan about price increases). There again there are still many cheap electric motors about (at the moment). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 Anyone checked the price of used four strokes recently? ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 Life is to short to clean planes and engines, as long as they don't dirty my car,,,,? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 Electric models don't need cleaning. (except at our field, which is full of sheep) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 Not a 2 stroke, but before and after pictures having been cleaned in my clubmates ultrasonic cleaner (thanks Andy) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 Like the idea of using an ultrasonic cleaning bath. Any recommendations as to size / type? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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