Sonic cleaning a new motor

[Mike Cathey]

Prepped a new CMB 67 today and put the case in my sonic cleaner at 80 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes. I am always amazed when I see all the crud that comes out of the unmachined parts of the case. These are the after photos.

 

[Ray Sametz]

Wow, that's why they say never even turn over a new engine out the box. Disassemble and clean first.

 

[Mike Cathey]

When I rub the residue between my fingers it feels like it was superfine casting sand. Makes me wonder how much of this junk takes out bearings although I would guess a lot, if not most, of it comes from the outside of the case.

 

[Hydro Junkie]

Mike, what brand of cleaner do you use and what do you use in it?
I found this solution at Micromark:
https://www.micromark.com/Utrasonic-Cleaning-Solution-ConcentrateSeems strange but I didn't find the cleaner itself

 

[brad nichols]

That is one clean engine!!

Brad

 

[Mike Cathey]

Mike, what brand of cleaner do you use and what do you use in it?
I found this solution at Micromark:
https://www.micromark.com/Utrasonic-Cleaning-Solution-ConcentrateSeems strange but I didn't find the cleaner itself

I use about a cup of the Simple Green purple Degreaser. You can get a gallon at Home Depot for $10

The cleaner is some Chinese ebay job. Holds about a gallon of water. I gave about $125 for it 4-5 years ago. Does a nice job with my wife's jewelry but I use cleaning solution specifically for jewelry. I got a stainless steel mesh basket sink trap to hold small parts/jewelry for a couple of bucks.

 

[Mike Cathey]

That is one clean engine!!

Brad

What's really cool is I can take a 10 year motor and run it at the same temperature but maybe a 1/2 hour longer and it comes out looking exactly like a new motor does. All the baked on crud is gone.

Now when I put new bearings in I remove the old bearings and clean the case in the sonic cleaner, rinse it in hot water, blow it out with high pressure air and then install the new bearings.

 

[Alan Elzer]

Nice !!! great idea. Care to share more about your sonic cleaner or where & what to get now?

 

[Mike Cathey]

Nice !!! great idea. Care to share more about your sonic cleaner or where & what to get now?

The ones like mine are still available. Check ebay item #192734640304. They now cost $136.89

 

[dave roach]

I got mine from ebay and i can get a tune pipe in mine and the crap that comes out of it when cleaning. I paid $165.00 free shipping

 

[John Beardslee]

You need to start using NR engines! Never haver seen that!

 

[Alan Elzer]

Found one guys...thnx

 

[ALLAN YUEN]

Mike. Question. Can you put piston/sleeve into the sonic cleaner? Safe??

 

[Mike Cathey]

Mike. Question. Can you put piston/sleeve into the sonic cleaner? Safe??

I never have. I have put cast front covers, flywheels, drive nuts or collets, tuned pipes and head buttons through it and that works nicely.

 

[Will Gallagher]

Very nice tool to have... I think I will order one!

 

[AzMandella]

Mike. Question. Can you put piston/sleeve into the sonic cleaner? Safe??

I would say yes . The actual cleaning process should have no effect on the parts . But what you use as a cleaning agent will . Using simple green and water should be fine . But any other caustic chemicals might erode the material . If people are looking sonic cleaners are also available from ammunition reloading companies . They are used to clean brass shells and come in many sizes from many manufacturers .

 

[Hydro Junkie]

I found these at the local Bass Pro Shop/Cabela's
Lyman Turbo Sonic 2500 Ultrasonic Case Cleaner | Cabela's
Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner 2L 110 Volt Case Cleaner | Cabela's

 

[Alan Elzer]

Mike how long do you leave engine in spimle green solutions for your motor

 

[Mike Cathey]

Mike how long do you leave engine in spimle green solutions for your motor

My machines timer has a max of 30 minutes. I put it through 3 consecutive times at the maxed out 80 degrees Celsius. For a gunked up motor double that.

The tuned pipes a couple of times. Since the metal is thinner maybe it vibrates more or something. I wish I had bought a bigger machine. I have to do one end of a pipe and then the other. Pretty amazing the crap that comes out of a tuned pipe. If it has a threaded in pressure tap check it afterward. Sometimes they get loose. I've had to loosen, clean the old locktite out with a rotary brush on a Dremel and add another drop of Red Locktite and cinch the nut back up.

 

[Grimracer]

Be careful what cleaners you use.. some will stain the castings. (I.E. Purple Power Cleaner and the like)..

Grim