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What's a good solvent I can use for cleaning engine bay parts?

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Old 02-09-08, 06:27 PM
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What's a good solvent I can use for cleaning engine bay parts?

I don't have a parts washer, but I was thinking maybe there's a cheap solvent solution I can just dip parts into and let them sit and let the chemicals do their work. engine degreaser is good, but comes in a can and requires a lot of scrubbing on my part, and obviously won't work when cleaning the intake manifolds and vdi (on the inside, anyways).

If there's better solvents for different jobs, please let me know, as well!
Old 02-09-08, 07:01 PM
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Carb cleaner for the intake. Comes in a can or a gallon at most auto parts stores. Brake cleaner is good for cleaning oily parts.
Old 02-09-08, 07:10 PM
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Ooooooh, I didn't know you could get carb cleaner in a gallon container. I'll check it out tomorrow, thanks!
Old 02-09-08, 08:03 PM
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try simple green works great for me
Old 02-09-08, 10:35 PM
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Carb cleaner is amazing for soaking parts. I soaked my rotors in it and they came out looking new. Its a bit pricey, though, almost 20 bucks in gallon at auto parts stores.
Old 02-09-08, 11:28 PM
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How long do you soke? I soaked some stuff for my mped in it, but it didnt do **** about the rust, and didnt exactly clean anythnig that well, so I was wondering if I didnt leave my stuff in long enough? I think I still have the can somewhere in the basement.
Old 02-10-08, 12:06 AM
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well, for rust, i hear por-15 is amazing
Old 02-10-08, 06:36 AM
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Naval Jel is my favorite rust remover if wire brush doesn't do the job completely, extend is cool if the rust is on black parts. And I'm poor so I use diesel fuel to clean gunked up bolts and non painted items. Works great for gunk and doesn't leave that powdered look afterwards. But heck if its just once, you could use it on painted items and wipe it down with a dry rag after.
Old 02-10-08, 10:13 AM
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I soaked them for about 24 hours. None of the parts had any rust though. If they are cast parts, you need to immediately coat them with penetrating oil to prevent flash rusting, though.
Old 02-10-08, 10:21 AM
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Parts washer fluid, laquer thinner, kerosene, Castrol SuperClean and water, etc.

If you don't need to remove rust then almost any solvent will do the job.

If you want to remove rust, then a wire wheel mounted on a bench grinder is the way to go.
Old 02-10-08, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Sideways7
I soaked them for about 24 hours. None of the parts had any rust though. If they are cast parts, you need to immediately coat them with penetrating oil to prevent flash rusting, though.
Ah, my stuff was only soaked for like, 3hours tops.
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