Cleaning solvent

[turbodig]

Re: Cleaning solvent

I have a Harbor Freight parts washer with the pump. It holds 3 gallons of "solution". I use 2 gals of mineral spirits (about 7.50 gal) and 1 gal of laquer thinner (about 11.00 gal). The lacquer thinner makes the stuff evaporate when you blow it off with air. Keep the lid closed when not in use, or the lacquer thinner evaporates off quickly.

If I have to clean a really grimy part, I do it Dig's way: I use a basin with straight mineral spirits, so I don't contaminate my parts-washer's solvent. The 'solvent' is too expensive to ruin with one greasy part.

:2cents:
DaveP

One thing I've found, with the rubbermaid-tub method....

If you leave the really greasy stuff sit in a bucket for a couple days, most of the dirt/sludge will settle to the bottom. If you're careful not to stir things up, you can get "clean" solvent off the top.

One of my "Round Tuit" projects involves a pump, and a whole house water particulate filter...

Back when we did diesel work, we'd clean out the parts washer and replace fluid (by dumping it behind the shop - how times have changed!) every couple of years or so. The layer of sludge in the bottom was amazing...

 

[4C FED]

Re: Cleaning solvent

I bought Mineral Spirits. I recall from the smell that this is what I was looking for.
It did a great job of cleanup without drying out the seals. Maybe that is because of the small amount of trans fluid that was removed from the parts mixed with the solvent.
Anyways, I sanitized all the parts & I was quite surprised with all of the metal shavings I found in the bottom of the bucket.
I could not find any damage internally in the trans. So it looks like converter failure.

Ty should be back on the road this weekend.

 

[rodent]

Re: Cleaning solvent

Good thread. I tried diesel in my parts washer once it it didn't clean all that great. Tried some purple cleaner one time and that ended up discoloring the alum. Needs to be affordable and clean well. Looks like I'll try mineral spirits next.