very well done video Ron. well thought out and explained. i was a professional mechanic for 40 years, and never once heard of using ethylene glycol to clean parts with.
Thanks Ron, I've got a drawer full of old engines that I now have a method of restoring. Your idea of buying full strength ethylene glycol and cutting it 50/50 is something I hit on several years ago. It sure saves money over buying someone else's water in premixed anti-freeze.
I have over 600 videos on my channel covering a variety of subjects. You should (hopefully) find something of interest. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel going. Ron
Doesn't seem to. But don't believe me... go ahead and try it. Remember some of the antifreeze sold now is already diluted for people who are too lazy to do it themselves.
I do not remember. Google "Dremel carbide drum sander" and see what comes up. I may have found them at Tower Hobbies years ago... or Micro Fasteners. Now there are what is called "structured tooth" carbide burrs (fairly expensive) that are really aggressive and somewhat dangerous for the fingers as they can grab and jump.
Oven cleaner probably contains caustic soda which will attack the aluminum removing and pitting the surface of the metal. It won't be shiny after being treated like that!
Some excellent tips. May I suggest adding an ultrasonic cleaner and a soda blaster to your arsenal for quicker results. The ultrasonic cleaner will agitate faster than the slow currents in the Crock Pot plus it has that cavitation process, too. Oh, an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater. Soda blasters are relatively cheap at Harbor Freight and they do a remarkable cleaning job as shown on some UA-cam videos. Then, you can clean up with an ultrasonic bath in clean water. Baking soda is quite water soluble and will wash right away.
Thanks, Ron! Hope to see you make some modeling vids! Question... Do you think the EG would attack the build-up in a pot metal lawnmower carb? Got a few briggs carbs that need attention... Tnx!
I have not tried carbs mainly because I have not had the need to do so. This crap gasoline we are forced to use leaves some stubborn deposits and the deep recesses are hard to get to. If the carb is completely disassembled I think it would work, but I would use a new batch of ethylene glycol.
Hello Ronald, I have an OS F60H GP engine that I'm trying to get the piston out of and I can't figure out how to lift off the connecting rod off the crank shaft pin. I did remove the cylinder sleeve, but the connecting rod won't lift high enough off the crankshaft for me to lift the bottom end off the pin. Let me know if you know the trick to get the end of the connecting rod off the crankshaft. Thanks
In my experience the simmering action is of more benefit that the ultrasonic cleaner. Once the part is rinsed clean with soap and water, if any residue remains the ultrasonic may be of further benefit.
+Bike Man Dan You really need to simmer the parts on a hot plate and ultrasonic cleaners don't get that hot... at least mine does not. The glycol really cleans well but can leave an oily film as the parts are removed. The ultrasonic cleaner with a little soap in the water degreases the parts... or just try washing in hot soapy water and then rinse with plain water.
If I'm trying to prepare a metal surface for painting, do you think I'd need to rinse the metal off with another solution after using Ethylene Glycol? After you bathe stuff in the ethylene glycol does it feel like there's a layer of it left on your parts? Thanks for sharing this video!
This was never intended to demonstrate preparing a metal surface for painting. It removes/loosens caked-on material, grease, carbon and such. Glycol and water has a slippery feel. If you were doing this to remove grease and oil, then that oily film will still be on the surface of the water and will end up on the part when it is removed. Rinsing it with soap and water should get rid of the remaining film. Preparing the metal for paint could consist of using a wire brush, emery paper, steel wool with elbow grease followed by paint thinner. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching Please subscribe. That is what keeps this channel running. Ron
As you can see in my video, I had no discoloration of anything using this process with ethylene glycol. On a few places (such as the OS muffler) where the original anodizing was scratched or the aluminum had become corroded, those areas will remain discolored... but the cleaning process itself did not discolor those areas. Note: Some viewers have had the mistaken opinion that all antifreeze is the same (i.e. ethylene glycol) however some is propylene glycol and some may contain other additives. I have only used ethylene glycol based antifreeze and I HAVE NOT tested this process using propylene glycol. Long story short... I have no idea why your engine changed color, nor would I know how to undo whatever changed the color. Sorry. Thanks for watching. Please Subscribe. Ron
@@RonaldWalters2010 thank you for your comments and suggestion. What is you opinion on high temp spray paints?? Do you think it will last on these engines?
I certainly would not paint the engine with anything. A coating of paint would most likely interfere with the proper cooling of the engine and would make the accumulation of burnt on castor oil even worse. Then, when it comes time to clean the engine again... ethylene glycol is a paint thinner and it would remove the paint and the dissolved paint would mess up the glycol at the same time.
Hi Ron, thanks for sharing. I have an old cast iron thickness planer that begs to be cleaned up. You think I can spray on and rinse it off somehow without taking it all apart?
Thanks for the insights! I've been looking for an athome solution to cleaning my car parts without having some $$$ dipping service involved! What would you say to having a cup or two of a rust blaster or acid like chemical (like CLR etc) to help with really stubborn deposits?
Ronald Walters The reason I'm asking is that I can get a hold of a cheap ultrasonic cleaner which can heat up the chosen 'liquid' up to 80°C, which in theory should be similar only with the added vibration. I will give it a try anyway as I have 5 motorcycle carb racks (20 carbs in total) which I don't fancy tackling individually.
80 deg C is only 176 deg F which is well below boiling which is 212 deg F. Might want to try one first. Also note: I have never had any discoloration using the old, original, green ethylene glycol antifreeze. Apparently people using some of the other color antifreeze have had a darkening of aluminum castings (such as carbs) so pay attention to what you are using.
Any thoughts/opinions/worries on using this method to clean mechanical diesel injectors? Think it would be fine for them to hot soak without disassembly? I'm trying to get around from disassembling the injectors, if at all possible.
Haven't tried it. Internal loosened deposits would possibly remain internal and plug things. Often times seals and o-rings need to be replaced so disassembly is still required. Ultrasonic cleaners work well for injector cleaning (disassembled).
I have never heard of using coolant to clean parts, but in a car engine when you get a head gasket failure from combustion to cooling jacket, the entire piston top becomes shiny like new due to the coolant.....so this makes sense
I have only used the old, original, green ethylene glycol antifreeze. Apparently people using some of the other color antifreeze have had a darkening of aluminum castings (such as carbs) so pay attention to what you are using. Thanks for watching. Please Subscribe!
Actually Ethylene Glycol wipes off all factory stock sealed grease from front bearing. You didn't mention it. For example all OS engine front bearings don't require lubrication from engine fuel oil. They are both side sealed. Its lubricated for life. So make sure that you put back grease into the front bearing, but don't pack it 100 % full. Just put 25% there and reseal it. Fly safe.
Needs to be the old original green ethylene glycol antifreeze and if it is very old, it may not work very well. I have always started off with new stuff.
I am not familiar with glycerol. I don't do this much anymore. If I can find it I may try it next time (if I remember). Although ethylene glycol is technically flammable (vapors) even when dissolved in water, with a flash point of 260/280 degF (closed cup/open cup) it is unlikely it will flash when simmering in the pan on a hot plate cleaning these parts. Thanks for watching.
Usually a dirty (greased) chain (as in drive chain or bicycle chain) only needs to be soaked in diesel oil or kerosene to loosen and remove the caked on debris.
I had know idea. This is great to know. I read in a paper a few years ago, that an angry wife put some of this in her husbands curry. He ended up deaf and blind and his kidneys packed up. Poor bloke. It's bright green and tastes sweet, so keep way way way away from kids.
They come in different colors and flavors. Just see which one tastes best to you. Quote" Lets remove all the warning labels and let nature take its course"
very well done video Ron. well thought out and explained. i was a professional mechanic for 40 years, and never once heard of using ethylene glycol to clean parts with.
Thanks Ron, I've got a drawer full of old engines that I now have a method of restoring. Your idea of buying full strength ethylene glycol and cutting it 50/50 is something I hit on several years ago. It sure saves money over buying someone else's water in premixed anti-freeze.
I've used this system for quite some time now and, indeed, it works like magic.
Great tip Ron. I have never heard of using anti freeze as a cleaner.
There are many reasons why I have subscribed to your channel, and this would be one of them. Thanks!
Excellent format on the video. The close up work is perfect. Learned alot and enjoyed it. Wish others would take a lesson from Ronald Waters !
Great job, very informative. I just need to figure out how to simmer my truck in a swimming pool of this!!
Great idea using the crockpot👍👍👍😃
I had no idea it cleaned so well. I will need to try that out
Wow sir your explanations are really clear. I hope you have some car repair videos.
I have over 600 videos on my channel covering a variety of subjects. You should (hopefully) find something of interest.
Thanks for watching. Please subscribe!
That is what keeps this channel going.
Ron
that cleaned up really nice . thumbs up. !
I enjoy your tutorial very much,I have one question Roland.Does it work better in the crock pot,as the heat is slow and gradual?
thanks
Crock pot works well as it just needs to simmer and the lid keeps the brew from boiling off (evaporating). Ron
pardon my french, but holy shit you're quite the talented renaissance man!
Didn't know that about antifreeze and will definitely be trying it next opportunity. Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic tip, great video.
Mr Walters Thank you for a great tip can't wait to give it a try...
Great info and well presented. Thanks.
Very interesting Ron.
Thanks a bunch.
Hi, why is it necessary to cut the glycol 50:50? Wouldn't it work with better cleaning results pure?...
Doesn't seem to. But don't believe me... go ahead and try it. Remember some of the antifreeze sold now is already diluted for people who are too lazy to do it themselves.
Very informative, where did you find the carbide drum cutters?
I do not remember. Google "Dremel carbide drum sander" and see what comes up. I may have found them at Tower Hobbies years ago... or Micro Fasteners. Now there are what is called "structured tooth" carbide burrs (fairly expensive) that are really aggressive and somewhat dangerous for the fingers as they can grab and jump.
Great idea Ron. Thanks!
Great idea, going to try clean an aluminum cylinder head tomorrow. It's not dirty just kind of oxidized
Hi, how You can get the oxidized aluminium shiny again? I ruined my cylinder head with oven cleaner...
Oven cleaner probably contains caustic soda which will attack the aluminum removing and pitting the surface of the metal. It won't be shiny after being treated like that!
Some excellent tips. May I suggest adding an ultrasonic cleaner and a soda blaster to your arsenal for quicker results. The ultrasonic cleaner will agitate faster than the slow currents in the Crock Pot plus it has that cavitation process, too. Oh, an ultrasonic cleaner with a heater. Soda blasters are relatively cheap at Harbor Freight and they do a remarkable cleaning job as shown on some UA-cam videos. Then, you can clean up with an ultrasonic bath in clean water. Baking soda is quite water soluble and will wash right away.
very clever! great! you can clean every mechanics parts you want, no limits, thanks a lot!
That is AWESOME info Ron ! Thanks so much for posting !!! :)
Frank
Thanks, Ron! Hope to see you make some modeling vids!
Question... Do you think the EG would attack the build-up in a pot metal lawnmower carb? Got a few briggs carbs that need attention... Tnx!
I have not tried carbs mainly because I have not had the need to do so. This crap gasoline we are forced to use leaves some stubborn deposits and the deep recesses are hard to get to. If the carb is completely disassembled I think it would work, but I would use a new batch of ethylene glycol.
Hello Ronald, I have an OS F60H GP engine that I'm trying to get the piston out of and I can't figure out how to lift off the connecting rod off the crank shaft pin. I did remove the cylinder sleeve, but the connecting rod won't lift high enough off the crankshaft for me to lift the bottom end off the pin. Let me know if you know the trick to get the end of the connecting rod off the crankshaft. Thanks
Well that just saved me from ruining an engine or three, not to mention time. Cheers!
Your comment is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for watching. Please subscribe!
That is what keeps this channel going.
Ron
Heat works great to free up seized motors. I used a mono coat heat gun and solder gun. You need to be careful of high temps on gaskets
Great video - just discovered your channel and subscribed! Have you considered putting the Ethylene Glycol in the ultrasonic cleaner?
In my experience the simmering action is of more benefit that the ultrasonic cleaner.
Once the part is rinsed clean with soap and water, if any residue remains the ultrasonic may be of further benefit.
@@RonaldWalters2010 Thanks Ron, great advice!
Thank you so much unbelievable tip great job. 👍👍
You mentioned putting the parts in an ultrasonic cleaner after the glycol; could the glycol not simply be used inside the ultrasonic cleaner?
+Bike Man Dan You really need to simmer the parts on a hot plate and ultrasonic cleaners don't get that hot... at least mine does not. The glycol really cleans well but can leave an oily film as the parts are removed. The ultrasonic cleaner with a little soap in the water degreases the parts... or just try washing in hot soapy water and then rinse with plain water.
Ron, ethylene glycol in automobile coolant is being replaced by propylene glycol. Does PG work for cleaning too?
Sorry, I do not know... I have not tried it. Ron
Euro Bum it should still work
Yes it works it dissolves oil but will proably take longer. People use PG for vaping aswell.
Ron , Try soaking the parts in some Marvel Mystery Oil , It is an amazing product for loosening engine parts ....
Amazing! Thanks for the tip.
If I'm trying to prepare a metal surface for painting, do you think I'd need to rinse the metal off with another solution after using Ethylene Glycol? After you bathe stuff in the ethylene glycol does it feel like there's a layer of it left on your parts? Thanks for sharing this video!
This was never intended to demonstrate preparing a metal surface for painting. It removes/loosens caked-on material, grease, carbon and such. Glycol and water has a slippery feel. If you were doing this to remove grease and oil, then that oily film will still be on the surface of the water and will end up on the part when it is removed. Rinsing it with soap and water should get rid of the remaining film. Preparing the metal for paint could consist of using a wire brush, emery paper, steel wool with elbow grease followed by paint thinner. Hope that helps.
Thanks for watching
Please subscribe. That is what keeps this channel running.
Ron
@@RonaldWalters2010 awesome thank you!
Is it possible to clean my egrvalve with this method?
I have no idea... Never cleaned one.
Hi
Mine also got anodized to dark grey black color after this process.
How do i get the engine like new color or close??
As you can see in my video, I had no discoloration of anything using this process with ethylene glycol. On a few places (such as the OS muffler) where the original anodizing was scratched or the aluminum had become corroded, those areas will remain discolored... but the cleaning process itself did not discolor those areas.
Note: Some viewers have had the mistaken opinion that all antifreeze is the same (i.e. ethylene glycol) however some is propylene glycol and some may contain other additives. I have only used ethylene glycol based antifreeze and I HAVE NOT tested this process using propylene glycol.
Long story short... I have no idea why your engine changed color, nor would I know how to undo whatever changed the color. Sorry.
Thanks for watching. Please Subscribe.
Ron
@@RonaldWalters2010 thank you for your comments and suggestion. What is you opinion on high temp spray paints?? Do you think it will last on these engines?
I certainly would not paint the engine with anything. A coating of paint would most likely interfere with the proper cooling of the engine and would make the accumulation of burnt on castor oil even worse. Then, when it comes time to clean the engine again... ethylene glycol is a paint thinner and it would remove the paint and the dissolved paint would mess up the glycol at the same time.
@@RonaldWalters2010 thanks you for your valuable suggestion.. i never thought of it!! Much much appreciated..
Hi Ron, thanks for sharing. I have an old cast iron thickness planer that begs to be cleaned up. You think I can spray on and rinse it off somehow without taking it all apart?
This is not going to work for heavy rust. There are other processes better for that. In any case you'll need to take it all apart.
THANKS RON
Can i use antifreeze in a ultrasonic cleaner?
Ethylene Glycol is antifreeze. Propylene Glycol is also antifreeze... but I have not tried it. I know Ethylene glycol works.
I do 'degunk' my engines using this method but I am not happy with the dull dark finish afterwards? What gives with yours?
I haven't had it darken the parts.
Thanks for the insights! I've been looking for an athome solution to cleaning my car parts without having some $$$ dipping service involved!
What would you say to having a cup or two of a rust blaster or acid like chemical (like CLR etc) to help with really stubborn deposits?
Nice tip, thanks
Ever tried ethylene glycol in a heated ultrasonic cleaner?
Yes, for mildly dirty items. Not as good, and certainly not as fast, as simmering it on a hot plate IMHO.
Ronald Walters The reason I'm asking is that I can get a hold of a cheap ultrasonic cleaner which can heat up the chosen 'liquid' up to 80°C, which in theory should be similar only with the added vibration.
I will give it a try anyway as I have 5 motorcycle carb racks (20 carbs in total) which I don't fancy tackling individually.
80 deg C is only 176 deg F which is well below boiling which is 212 deg F. Might want to try one first. Also note: I have never had any discoloration using the old, original, green ethylene glycol antifreeze. Apparently people using some of the other color antifreeze have had a darkening of aluminum castings (such as carbs) so pay attention to what you are using.
How long should I leave parts in there if I'm not boiling the Ethylene Glycol?
Cold probably won't work very well. It needs to simmer. Generally left over night or check it every few hours until everything is clean.
I live in an apartment building. How bad are the fumes?
Not bad enough to piss off your neighbors but I would not breath it. Use the stove exhaust fan or a hot plate out on a balcony.
I'll go out and buy a hot plate.
Burnt on oil is polymerized. Same process as seasoning cast iron cookwear.
Any thoughts/opinions/worries on using this method to clean mechanical diesel injectors? Think it would be fine for them to hot soak without disassembly? I'm trying to get around from disassembling the injectors, if at all possible.
Haven't tried it. Internal loosened deposits would possibly remain internal and plug things. Often times seals and o-rings need to be replaced so disassembly is still required. Ultrasonic cleaners work well for injector cleaning (disassembled).
The HP liner is an interference fit. You will need to heat it to get it out.
I have never heard of using coolant to clean parts, but in a car engine when you get a head gasket failure from combustion to cooling jacket, the entire piston top becomes shiny like new due to the coolant.....so this makes sense
I have only used the old, original, green ethylene glycol antifreeze. Apparently people using some of the other color antifreeze have had a darkening of aluminum castings (such as carbs) so pay attention to what you are using. Thanks for watching. Please Subscribe!
I brush my teeth with this stuff - no brain damage yet.
Ha ha...apparently you had brain damage before you started brushing your teeth with it. :)
Actually Ethylene Glycol wipes off all factory stock sealed grease from front bearing. You didn't mention it. For example all OS engine front bearings don't require lubrication from engine fuel oil. They are both side sealed. Its lubricated for life. So make sure that you put back grease into the front bearing, but don't pack it 100 % full. Just put 25% there and reseal it. Fly safe.
I find giving a good spray or silicone spray and hitting it with a hot air gun it'll free up in minutes
Thanks - I'm just about to change my antifreeze/I think I'll save the old stuff.
Needs to be the old original green ethylene glycol antifreeze and if it is very old, it may not work very well. I have always started off with new stuff.
Thanks again.
Good info I like it
mr walters, why don't you try glycerol, might be even cheaper and certainly less toxic and less flammable
I am not familiar with glycerol. I don't do this much anymore. If I can find it I may try it next time (if I remember). Although ethylene glycol is technically flammable (vapors) even when dissolved in water, with a flash point of 260/280 degF (closed cup/open cup) it is unlikely it will flash when simmering in the pan on a hot plate cleaning these parts. Thanks for watching.
has anyone tried cleaning a greased chain (no orings, just metal) by boiling it in Ethylene Glycol?
Usually a dirty (greased) chain (as in drive chain or bicycle chain) only needs to be soaked in diesel oil or kerosene to loosen and remove the caked on debris.
Think you
I had know idea. This is great to know.
I read in a paper a few years ago, that an angry wife put some of this in her husbands curry. He ended up deaf and blind and his kidneys packed up. Poor bloke. It's bright green and tastes sweet, so keep way way way away from kids.
Quite a few wives have killed their husbands with EG, might want to pour your own drinks!
Pets too. Many dogs are poisoned by EG spills left by lazy owners.
My ex wife used to soak my tooth brushes in this stuff
Hence... The "ex-wife" part. :-)
Note to self NEVER buy used Crockpot or kitchen Ware Tool time Timmy might have been cooking in it , ☠️☠️☠️☠️
Good one. Funny!
why use the scientific name on title could of said anti-freeze
There is only one ethylene glycol but there are many types of anti-freeze.
They come in different colors and flavors. Just see which one tastes best to you.
Quote" Lets remove all the warning labels and let nature take its course"
great tip, thanks