Engine cleaners (exterior)

[petermick]

Can anyone reccommend a product that can be purchased at a hardware store or supermarket that can be used to safely remove the varnish buildup on my two stroke engines?

As always,

Thanks for your help

Peter Mick

[Peter Nevai]

Gunk carb cleaner has worked for me. As with any chemical, use with caution.

[david beazley]

I have tried Dawn Power Disolver with good results after reading recomendations in various magazines.  Can be had at Wally World and other big box stores.

[ash]

Along the same lines, what kind of antifreeze is the one to use in a crock pot for cleaning engines?

Propylene glycol or ethylene glycol?

Propylene glycol has been impossible to find around here for some time, it seems.

[Brett Buck]

Can anyone reccommend a product that can be purchased at a hardware store or supermarket that can be used to safely remove the varnish buildup on my two stroke engines?

 Crock pot and anti-freeze.  Just about anything else risks damaging the aluminum.

   Brett

[RandySmith]

Hi you can buy a gallon dip  pail  of Berrymans Carb cleaner or equivalent , or use Anti freeze in the crock pot, Stay away from Dawn Power dissolve. It will corrode the aluminum and rust bearings very badly, unless thoroughly cleaned and oiled .

Randy

[Paul Taylor]

If you have pets be careful with the crock pot method. If you just want to clean up a little of the crud the dawn stuff works. Just spray it on let it sit for a short then take a tooth brush to it. Rinse and repeat if needed. It may discolor if you leave it on too long.
Just my 2 cents.

[RandySmith]

Use care with the Power Dissolve cleaning an engine that is not apart, it will rust and corrode the steel screws, steel spraybar needles etc. I f  you use it take the steel parts out, or remove the screws and all steel parts after you clean ,Then  clean the steel parts ,neutralize and oil very well and then re-install the the screws and other steel parts.
Also If you have a steel sleeve you will not like what the lip and many times the inside will look like if you do not clean thoroughly and re-oil after using the cleaner
Also pay heed to Paul's advice about keeping the antifreeze away from animals

Randy

[john e. holliday]

Get the anti freeze for the new engines of aluminum castings.   Keep the crock pot away from everybody including the pets.  I have also found I do not have to completely disassemble the engines.   Remove all plastic stuff, back plate and head.  Once cleaned up, oil really well with a good lubricant.   Assemble and mount it on something and run it.   I usually run mine about two runs of two ounces of fuel.  Then use after run oil or air tool oil to relubricate the engine.