Best way to clean bottom end internals?

iContango

Been Around the Block
So I am to the point where I want to combine the lower case halves, however I am worried small grains of dirt, etc. may have found their way into the cases while its been sitting for the past two weeks. Additionally, there is still a decent amount of goopy oil in the bottom case (drain bolt side). What product and/or method would you recommend to adequately clean everything up before reassembly? Ideally it won't involve taking ALL the crank and tranny gears apart and cleaning each one individually.

I am thinking for the lower case to spray the inside with simple green or another degreaser, hose it out, then dry it with clean rags. I can do the same for the upper case after I remove the crank and sets of gears. But, what about the gear sets themselves?

Kind of a lame question, but want to see if there is a generally accepted way of doing this.

Thanks!
 
Start with a soak in a citrus cleaner like Zep 0455. A plastic bristle brush can be used to work it into any chunky parts, if there are any.
Hot soap and water come next.

90% of the time, you're done at this point, but if there is anything left with which you are unhappy, Zep Morado usually takes care of it. It's especially good for carbon buildup in the combustion chambers, pistons, and valves. It doesn't get along too well with aluminum though, so make sure you don't let it soak in too long. A few minutes is all it should take.

Make sure you dry thoroughly before reassembly. Water in the oil creates acids which attack all the metallic parts.
 
Sonreir said:
Start with a soak in a citrus cleaner like Zep 0455. A plastic bristle brush can be used to work it into any chunky parts, if there are any.
Hot soap and water come next.

90% of the time, you're done at this point, but if there is anything left with which you are unhappy, Zep Morado usually takes care of it. It's especially good for carbon buildup in the combustion chambers, pistons, and valves. It doesn't get along too well with aluminum though, so make sure you don't let it soak in too long. A few minutes is all it should take.

Make sure you dry thoroughly before reassembly. Water in the oil creates acids which attack all the metallic parts.

How nice would it be to have a proper parts washer? I wish I did enough work to justify it.
 
3DogNate said:
How nice would it be to have a proper parts washer? I wish I did enough work to justify it.

Wishing for one this last weekend. I'm currently tearing into the engine on my '96 Geo Metro. 183,000 miles tends to put a nice coat of dirt on these things...
 
Sonreir said:
Start with a soak in a citrus cleaner like Zep 0455. A plastic bristle brush can be used to work it into any chunky parts, if there are any.
Hot soap and water come next.

90% of the time, you're done at this point, but if there is anything left with which you are unhappy, Zep Morado usually takes care of it. It's especially good for carbon buildup in the combustion chambers, pistons, and valves. It doesn't get along too well with aluminum though, so make sure you don't let it soak in too long. A few minutes is all it should take.

Make sure you dry thoroughly before reassembly. Water in the oil creates acids which attack all the metallic parts.

Nice - I will look for a local source for Zep 0455.
 
Forgot to ask - after using the Zep, is there any reason I shouldn't rinse it out with Dawn soap and hot water? I will of course hand dry as best as possible after that, then let it air dry completely prior to reassembly.
 
Nope. No reason not to. Soap and hot water is still one of the best cleaners available.
 
I'm not gonna take the blame for getting you in trouble with the wife/GF/sig other but a soak in HOT soapy water just long enough to loosen the crap followed by several runs through the DISHWASHER for parts that fit works GREAT. ;)
 
frogman said:
I'm not gonna take the blame for getting you in trouble with the wife/GF/sig other but a soak in HOT soapy water just long enough to loosen the crap followed by several runs through the DISHWASHER for parts that fit works GREAT. ;)

Hmmm she will be gone for a while tonight.... Two case halves in the dishwasher....
 
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