CLEANING ENGINES
Frank Panacci
(This is a summary of the technique that Frank found on the Internet and described at the December club meeting, to use a hot antifreeze bath to clean model aircraft engines. The bath does an amazing job of getting rid of carbon, grime and varnish from castor oil, better than any other solvent.)
Find an electric crock-pot, preferably an old one from a garage sale. If you can't find a used one, Wal Mart sells a relatively cheap 2.5 quart model for about $18.00 (Rival Model 3120). Once you use it for heating antifreeze, you can never again use it for cooking.
Find a metal mesh basket that will fit in it to hold small parts (a colander or a deep-fry basket, etc.) Again, Wal Mart sells one for about $4.00.
Dismantle the engine and place the metal parts in the basket. Set aside any rubber or plastic parts, gaskets, etc.
Place the basket in the pot, and fill with undiluted antifreeze to about 1/2" from the top.
Hot antifreeze gives off fumes so put the pot in a well-ventilated area (such as in a garage) and away from any children or animals. Set the crock-pot on low heat, and let the parts soak for a day or two.
After the soaking period, boil some water in a regular pot on your stove. With gloves on, remove the basket from the crock-pot, then pour the hot antifreeze into an open container to allow it to cool. Rinse out the crock-pot with hot water, then replace the basket and fill with hot water.
Let the engine parts soak in the hot water for about 15 minutes, then remove them one by one. The hot water will evaporate within seconds and you will have nice clean and dry parts. Oil the parts as soon as they have cooled.
After the antifreeze has cooled, pour it into a storage container that can be sealed. The antifreeze can be used several times before discarding it.
...a word about discarding antifreeze....
Antifreeze is a toxic chemical, and should be treated as such. Further it is sweet to the taste, and animals may tend to lick up any spills or antifreeze in an open container, and suffer a cruel death due to poisoning.
DON'T pour used antifreeze down the drain.
DON'T put used antifreeze in the regular garbage.
DON'T pour used antifreeze into the grass or the earth.
DON'T leave any spills or puddles on the pavement.
Used antifreeze should be put into a sealed container, labeled, and taken to a waste transfer station, an "Environment Days" location, or other official hazardous waste depot where it can be disposed of safely.