How to remove brown crudola from cam cover?

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 09 Sep 2012, 19:16

94 850 turbo I have the cam cover off and have been trying all afternoon to get the brown scum off the sealing portions, I have tried paint thinner, diesel, gasoline, laquer thinner, acetone all with a green kitchen scrubbie thing. I have looked for that CRC gasket remover but can't find it locally - I worry about how to clean the part with the cams in it as the cover is doing it's best to thwart me

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 09 Sep 2012, 20:47

I used everything you did and even some Goof Off and nothing made it easy. What ultimately worked was Permetex gasket remover, it comes out as a foam and has a little scrub brush attached to it. I used the little scrubber just after applying it and then left the gasket remover on for about 20 minutes. Then I used some of the Goof Off on a rag to wipe it off. It took several applications to do anything but it ultimately got off all but the biggest gobs. Those I was able to remove with a fingernail after letting the Permetex stuff soak on it for a while.

...Lee

Post by **kcodyjr** » 09 Sep 2012, 20:50

Just a thought, try fuel stabilizer. I've used it to remove the brown scum from the inside of carburetors that sat still with fuel in them for 10 years. Probably not the same chemistry, but worth a shot.

By the way. Lacquer thinner is primarily acetone. By paint thinner, I assume you mean turpentine. That leaves mineral spirits (naptha) and denatured alcohol from the "common solvents" shelf.

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 09 Sep 2012, 21:07

I tried all of the above, having a long shelf of assorted car solvents and "stuff". My neighbor came over, and went back and fetched a Brown Scotchbrite piece...and it worked GREAT! he owns a Harley repair shop, and has been working on/rebuilding V-Twins for decades. It got everything, but one area on my head still had a "shadow" of darkened metal that would not final finish...Before he wandered over I was about to use some little Rol Loc discs out of frustration...I've used them many times before on cast iron parts, but I know they are bloody murder on aluminum.

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 12 Sep 2012, 13:30

I found what takes it off, methylene chloride- I had some from a plexiglass project, what a nightmare I wore out a pile of scotchbrite pads as well as some finger tips but it is nice and shiny now- all that is left is get up the nerve to glue it into place

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 12 Sep 2012, 18:16

Yeah, I wonder why they didn't develop a "membrane gasket" that you would position/stick, then peel off a backing paper. 'seems totally do-able to me...It would be a material that was anaerobic, just like the 'goo', but would never present a clogging hazard, or any problems with uneven application.

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 12 Sep 2012, 18:24

Looking back at my machine Shop ticket, I see the actual cleaning of my head was not listed out separately, but, if I take out the valve job, replacement valve, pressure testing, and resurfacing it couldn't have been much of the $215.00 total...and the head sparkled brighter than new!...I should have carried my valve cover to them and had them place it in the machine, also. its some sort of vertical high pressure shower that has viewing windows around it...I didn't see it, but my mechanic told me I should have looked, because its one awesome operation.
It sure would have made things much easier!

Jellobmw · Post by **Jellobmw** » 12 Sep 2012, 19:47

Dishwasher, but not when your wife is home........

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 13 Sep 2012, 17:02

The only thing I know that will clean the gunk of any metal is a gallon bucker of carb cleanner.
I forget its name but it come in a gallon paint can size with itw own dipping basket in the can.
If you can get a air tight seal and big enough to put your part into flat. poor this stuff untill it covers the part and let it sit over night or 24 hrs. One word of warnning this stuff will kill your lungs in a closed room, eat rubber, varnish, paint and anythis else.
If you can find and use this stuff use acid proff gloves, brush and contaner to hold your part. Also keep your can sealed, this stuff will evaporate quickly. When I cleaned a Carb I would but everything in the basket and the next morning dump everything into a new empty can to rinse with. Making sure I resealed the cleanner can quickly. Also this stuff is very Flamable.
Anyway this is what I used at my Dads shop. Good luck!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Sep 2012, 17:35

Jellobmw wrote:Dishwasher, but not when your wife is home........

Funny you should mention that. I ran across a "counter-top" dishwasher for sale on craigslist. The guy had it listed for several weeks and it kept getting cheaper and cheaper - up to the point where it was make me any offer and I almost bit. I have an extra pair of hose bibs next to the washing machine in the basement and a utility wash basin just below them.

I could wash parts and my wife would never get PO'd at me.

...Lee