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Author Topic: Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?  (Read 907 times)

Offline frank mccune

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Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?
« on: July 05, 2013, 08:18:20 AM »
    Hi All:

    I would like to clean a Fox .35 without removing the p&c.

    Any tips as to how to do this?

     This engine was mounted on an airplane and hung in an attic for 30 years.  The engine did not have any care after it had been run years ago.
                                                                                                Tia,

                                                                                                 Frank
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Offline kenneth cook

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Re: Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2013, 09:44:48 AM »
                Frank, I know this somewhat crazy but I found that sometimes cleaning these can be more harmful than good. The Fox has a tendency to get quite blackened appearance wise on the exterior. I've seen them so black and ugly you almost didn't want to touch the thing. What I did recognize however is that while some say too much buildup and goo can cause overheating I strongly feel it helped the engine run opposed to degrading it. I also noted that all that gunk sealed any head leaks the engine had due to the bubbles that were coming out after the cleaning. The Fox's I look for is the well seasoned ones so to speak. If appearance is a real issue, I would do what most do and that's the crockpot antifreeze method. I know others have set a saucepan to boil  and used powdered dishwasher detergent and gave the engine a good boiling in the soapy water. This is with backplate removed and plug out. I would then shake out as much water as possible and apply heat to dry the internals followed by a good dosing of oil. Running the engine works well and certainly insures a remediation of water and gives a good coating of oil. Ken
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Offline frank mccune

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Re: Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2013, 10:12:29 AM »
     Hello Ken:

      Thanks for the tips.

       I do not want to "mess this engine up." It ran great 30 years ago but after sitting in an attic for all of that time, I had to wonder what bad things may have gotten into the engine.  I even hate to pull the head or backplate.  This seems trivial, but, If it aint broke...

      Due to your information, I may just keep this engine oiled and ready to use.

                                                                                                     Stay well,

                                                                                                      Franchi
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Offline Jim Kraft

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Re: Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2013, 11:27:06 AM »
It will almost be a given that the rod is stuck on the wristpin. If you run it that way it will most likely push out one of the snap rings that hold the pin in the piston and damage the cyl. On a Fox 35 that has not been run for a while I always remove the rear cover and see if the rod is stuck on the pin by moving it back and forth. If you use heat from a heat gun on the back plate you can many times save the gasket. You can also use heat to free up the rod. Sometimes they just have to be taken apart but heat and penetrating oil will ususally free up the rod.
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Jim Kraft

Offline Phil Bare

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Re: Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2013, 05:07:23 AM »
Frank, One method of cleaning engines that I have used over the years is to simply remove the plug and back plate and soak them in a container of methanol alcohol. You can purchase a gallon at your local Lowes store.

Phil Bare
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Offline frank mccune

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Re: Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2013, 07:12:40 AM »
    Hi All:

    I took the backplate off and had a look inside.

    It looked like a bit of rust on the bottom of the cylinder liner and inside of the piston.  I tried to remove it but... I hope that it is dried fuel.

    The con rod moves on the wrist pin and all appears to be good.  I did manage to tear up the backplate gasket when I took it off.  I used plenty of solvent, heat and care but the Gods were not smiling.  It looks easy enough to make a new one.
 
     I thhink that this engine is a 1963 Anniversary model.  It was a great engine 30 years ago!  The previous owner does nothing to his engines after use.  He just hangs them up until the next time to fly.  This period of time was 30 years! Lol

                                                                Stay well,

                                                                Frank
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Offline kenneth cook

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Re: Cleaning an engine without removing the P&C?
« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2013, 08:14:08 AM »
                    Frank, Bob Zambelli showed me this product many years ago and I don't even attempt to use gaskets anymore. The ease and cost of this little tube and by the way I'm still on the same tube that I purchased years back. It's a Permatex product called anaerobic gasket maker. It's not a slicone based RTV and it won't harden in the tube once opened rendering it useless. It doesn't have any negative affect on aluminum as it's formulated for aluminum and it's contact direct for alcohol immersion. Here's  the product   http://www.jmsonline.net/permatex-anaerobic-gasket-maker-4fw2302.htm?gclid=COfgyoTKnbgCFc6h4AodSXIAmA

You don't need a large quantity of this material and the smallest tube will work.  It only solidifies in the absence of air so any on the exterior of the case can be easily wiped off. Just make sure you thoroughly clean the backplate free of the old cork gasket and the back of the case itself. It's user friendly and service removable and can be found in any automotive store.

One thing that I found to be quite beneficial is a thorough cleaning of the backplate screws and holes in the case. Once assembled, I put a small drop of CA on the head of the screw where it meets the backplate followed by a shot of kicker. These screws always seemed to be prone to backing out once you fiddle with them. Yes, Loc-Tite could be used, but I don't need the threads of the case getting ripped out due to it's extreme holding power. The CA breaks away clean if you need to gain access and it's a product most of us already have on hand. Good luck, Ken
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