hot tanking isnt recomended on aluminum?

[slik_s13]

as the title says i was reading my service manual for the s13 u.s. model(ka). i read that it recomends to not hot tank aluminum. does anyone know any info on other ways to get aluminum cleaned, or if it is ok to hot tank bigger pieces like head, block. im rebuilding my engine and i am doing a ton searching for all kinds of related stuff. any info is appreciated. i did a search already.

[Hijacker]

you can hot tank aluminum.

Aluminum gets its own special formula to soak in. The stuff that you can dip iron into is akin to battery acid, which would destroy aluminum. However, the aluminum tank is much less abbrassive. It won't clean as well as a normal hot tank, but it still pulls nasty oil stains and cleans out debris.

to put your mind at ease, I hot tanked my head and block a couple of months ago prepping for my rebuild, and have had no ill effects.

[slik_s13]

nice! thats some very useful info.thanks! did you also get your head and block checked for any cracks or anything that may affect the structural integrity of it. i dont know what the proccess is called. i think i know what its called but i dont wanna be a dumb *** here.

[sancosys]

You can also jet wash it which is on the lines of a big dish washer for your parts.

Aaron

[lovespeed]

First to clean any part of your engine (block, head, valves, cams, brackets, internal or external) you can use heavy duty oven cleaner(The kind in the yellow arousal can works the best). Just spray with the cleaner wait for a min and wipe of with disposable shop towels so you don't get lint in your engine you can use a wire brush a lot of brackets and other non machined parts. This is a cheap way to clean all engine parts without a hot tank just takes some time. if you have the money for a hot tank than do it or both. Now for checking for cracks for cast iron the process is called Magnaflux for aluminum Dye check. aluminum also does have its own acid in hot tank to the best of my knowledge.

[SeVa-S13]

(The kind in the yellow arousal can works the best)

That is possibly the awesomest typo I've ever seen.

[Rosco]

First to clean any part of your engine (block, head, valves, cams, brackets, internal or external) you can use heavy duty oven cleaner(The kind in the yellow arousal can works the best). Just spray with the cleaner wait for a min and wipe of with disposable shop towels so you don't get lint in your engine you can use a wire brush a lot of brackets and other non machined parts. This is a cheap way to clean all engine parts without a hot tank just takes some time. if you have the money for a hot tank than do it or both. Now for checking for cracks for cast iron the process is called Magnaflux for aluminum Dye check. aluminum also does have its own acid in hot tank to the best of my knowledge.

It just so happens that I was reading oven cleaner can the other day, (in the yellow Aerosol can) and I remember reading that it said to NOT use on aluminum. However my memory could be wrong, I went too look for the can and I haven't found it yet but when I do I will make sure let you all know. Not trying to dog you in any way but I just wanna make sure your info is right before someone goes and sprays that **** all over there block...

[Rosco]

Okay I just found it and it specifically says:DO NOT use on aluminum, chrome, baked enamel......Recommended for use on; porcelain enamel, iron, stainless steel, ceramic and glass surfaces (avoid excessive use on glass)....

This is from the Easy-Off heavy duty original oven cleaner in a yellow aerosol can.

[eazye2000]

You can also jet wash it which is on the lines of a big dish washer for your parts.

Yep. That works pretty good.

...or you can be like me and take the top rack out of the dishwasher, and put all your parts in there! I live in base-housing and it's not mine!

[Hijacker]

nice! thats some very useful info.thanks! did you also get your head and block checked for any cracks or anything that may affect the structural integrity of it. i dont know what the proccess is called. i think i know what its called but i dont wanna be a dumb *** here.

They were both checked and decked. Which is for surface straightness.

There are sonic tests which they can check the block for any structural weaknesses, but those all cost money and a shop that has the equipment (which my town lacks).

[Slappy]

There is a Machine Shop directly in front of my house. I have them hot tank all kinds of aluminum for me and the guys at the shop. Its 100% safe.