Hello! I am in the process of tearing down and rebuilding motor(s). I already have a thread in this section and have received some nice feedback. Anyway, I did much searching regarding cleaning parts during/for engine rebuilds. I have read about many people using various cleaners and solvents like: paint thinner, break cleaner, Zep Purple, carb cleaner, WD40, oven cleaner, simple green, kerosene et cetera. A lot of searches and reading and simple green comes up a lot. I have a friend who can get tons of it at his job so I decided to use primarily that to clean my parts. I am constantly searching the boards for information. I read in one thread that simple green can harm bearings? Is this true? Out of the dozens I read, nobody mentioned it was bad for bearings, yet one mentioned it. Is this true? I am soaking my rotors in a 50/50 mixture of simple green and water, it has been cleaning nicely and no rust is anywhere, and it's taken most of the carbon off. Is this cleaning harming my bearings? I know they are not expensive, but they can be kind of tough to replace. I have access to nearly every tool, but not bearing pullers/pressers.

Help!

 

I was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force for 10 years. During that time, the only thing we used simple green for was mopping floors. Metallurgist tested simple green on 300M steel (high strength steel that most large aircraft landing gear are made of) and after soaking the steel in simple green for 72 hours, they found that the strength of the steel was degraded significantly, thus we were never allowed to use it to clean parts. For cleaning rotary engine parts I have only used kerosene or other store bought solutions that are specifically designed to for engine use such are carb cleaners or castrol super clean. Super Clean will quickly deteriorate aluminum if the instructions are not followed.

 

I use lots of brake cleaner.................and a brush

 

For clarification, what type of brush? I am going to be tearing my FD down soon for a rebuild and thought to use a wire brush but was told it's too hard for the soft metal of the rotor? Suggestions/clarification?

 

Brass brushes will not damage the parts and will be sturdy enough for some hard scrubbing.

 

http://www.rebuildingrotaryengines.c...leaning_rotors