Best solvent to soak parts

[zx2max]

My thermostat cover on my 79 Evinrude 70hp looks more gunked up than a grease trap at a McDonald's. What's the best stuff to soak and clean thing? I'm going to clean the perimeter with a razor and wire brush so I get a good gasket seal but I don't know the best way to tackle the inside.

 

[tphoyt]

There is no miracle solvent that I know of.
A little wire brush on a dremel tool would work great.

 

[Crosbyman]

salt can go with boiling it in hot water ... calcium can be dissolved with plain vinigar ..(hotter the better) petroleum gunk can be dissolved with lacquer thinner

and some folks just soak in Pinesol.

ultrasonic cleaners help or dremmel wire brush

 

[zx2max]

Damn! Someone borrowed my dremel and never returned it so I'm stuck scrubbing my hand. I almost bought a new one until I saw it costs $68.

 

[zx2max]

Thanks Crosbyman. I'll give boiling and vinegar a shot.

 

[909]

I hate getting my hands soaked in gasoline and solvent all the time, so I use an ultrasonic when I can. But at the end of the day soap and water can do so much. Vinegar is great, but try to get the cleaning vinegar instead which is double the strength of household vinegar. I also always have extra brake cleaner and MEK (methyl ethyl keytone) laying around as a last resort. If you don't have a dremel anymore go to the dollar store and just get a regular wire handle brush for a $1.

 

[Crosbyman]

no such thing as a dollar store anymore... thet are 4$ stores

 

[Davetowz]

Vinegar is pretty good for removing corrosion, Ultrasonic cleaners are available at harbor freight and they help. Fill with vinegar and let it rip.

 

[909]

A used ultrasonic cleaner is about $60 .

 

[clemsonfor]

Damn! Someone borrowed my dremel and never returned it so I'm stuck scrubbing my hand. I almost bought a new one until I saw it costs $68.

Go to Harbor Freight or buy a cheap one off Amazon.

 

[clemsonfor]

no such thing as a dollar store anymore... thet are 4$ stores

The dollar store, which is called the Dollar Tree is now $1.25.

 

[oldboat1]

Nah, open up all passages and soak in lacquer thinner, or lacquer thinner and acetone. Finish with some poking in small openings (soft wire or carb tools made for that purpose). Finally, spray liberally with carb cleaner.