Engine Cleaning

So I found a place that will do a valve job for me for $140. Good news since before I was getting quoted around $350, apparently it is cheaper if the head is off the bike and they don't have to adjust the shims, I guess I should have mentioned that to start with. My question is about the block. Can I take it to a car wash place and spray it off with the high pressure hose to get it clean? It is disgustingly dirty and I would like to have it clean before I hone the cylinder walls out. I figured as long as I spray it down with wd-40 after spraying it clean I should be alright but I just wanted to make sure.

 

Wha??

You're going to let them pull your cylinder head for no reason? I checked my valves in 30 minutes without removing the head. What if they do have to change out the shims?

I suppose you could pressure wash it. First, I'd try ordinary engine degreaser and warm water first.

 

You wouldn't need to spray it down with WD 40 after spraying it clean. All the cases are aluminum as are the head and valve cover.
so don't rust in the conventional sense. The only iron part visible from the outside are the jugs. To hone the cylinders you will need to remove them so you will repaint the outside anyway.


I have a pressure washer in my garage but don't often use it for engine cleaning. I use Simple Green mixed with water. Mix in a spray bottle, spray everything down, wait 10 min or so and hose it down with a garden hose. I have an assortment of brushes I use for the really filthy out of reach places. When I go to a new store that carries cleaning supplies I always check out their brush selection to see if some look useful.


Good luck and good cleaning!

 

No no sushi, I already have the engine off the frame and dismantled, I just needed to find a place to do a valve job. The reason I ask about using a pressure washer at a self service car wash is I am working out of a rented garage at my apt. and unless I take the block into my bath tub I don't really have anywhere to spray it off. Also I don't know if any degreasers will damage the inside of the cylinders.

 

I think we need a better definition of "valve job" first -- what exactly does that entail?

Checking the valves -- technically the shims -- is a fairly easy job and can be done at home without much difficulty.

As for cleaning, spray it down with a good degreaser like Simple Green, then yes it's OK to use a pressure washer - just try not to use full pressure, don't let the jet sit in one place to long, and DEFINITELY cover and avoid all the electrics (especially the coils under the tank).

 

Jonmarkos wrote: "No no sushi, I already have the engine off the frame and dismantled."


If you have the head already off so that the tops of the pistons are exposed you should wait until you have everything back together so you don't fill the crankcase with water. Especially if you are going to use a car wash wand.


You could probably fo a fine job with a spray bottle of Simple Green and a few spray bottles of water. A few towels to soak up the water and you'd be in business.

 

Altus: the valve job is going to include removing and decarbonizing the valves and head, checking the seats, lapping the valves and replacing the valve stem seals and guides. I can do the valve shims myself, I just don't want to mess with removing the valves myself.

Wamaxim: I have the head off and I have the block off so I can take the block and spray it down and leave the crankcase at home.

I'll go pick up some simple green tonight and see what kind of brushes I can get to try to clean everything up. The reason I wanted to use a pressure washer was to get deep inside the fins.

 

well for that price you might think about doing valves yourself it's actually really easy if you can pull the head cylinders and all the other stuff your doing.... give it a shot i say. my local machine shop will regrind valves for $5 each. then just lap them in.

 

fufu, I have no idea what that would entail...I have a pretty good sense when it comes to engines and things mechanical but with head work it's all Japanese to me.

 

Pretty funny, so is the rest of the bike

 

Just as a reminder.....you will have to have EVERYTHING all back together except for the valve cover in order to check the valve shim clearances. You can't do that off the engine....unless you took all your clearance measurements before you dissambled it.

Dave Fox

 

If the jugs are off you can take them to a car wash.

Spray the heck out of it with engine degreaser.
Spray with the low pressure rinse.

Lather, rinse, repeat as needed.

Dry it off with a cloth.

Where you run in to problems using a pressure wash is when you are spraying gaskets, it has a tendency to make them leak.

Since you don't have gaskets to worry about if the cylinders are off the mill, you can spray to your heart's content.

 

You also don't want to use a pressure wash on a whole motorcycle. You can force water into all sorts of places it ought not be, like the engine, transmission, generator, etc.

 

Wow, glad I read this one...I was planning on pressure/steam washing my whole motorcycle before I started tearing it down.

 

I learned the hard way when I filled the transmission on my old Triumph up with SOAPY WATER...

most oil seals are meant to keep oil in; not high pressure water out. Remember, water CANNOT BE compressed; so under pressure it becomes an "irresistable force."

 

Another problem with a pressure washer - I tried being careful, not over-doing it, concentrated on the grunge in the swingarm area and under the motor. What I did was RELOCATE all this filth to the underneath of gauges, into the fabric of the wire harness, under the seat and tank, making a bigger mess than scrubbing with a brush.