HOT Super Clean or Purple Power will get most engine parts clean. Same with Simple Green full strength. I use the Super Clean/water in a stainless drum at home. Heated with a simple 110 volt electric hot water element mounted in the bottom.

Works great for carburetors, heads, intakes, etc.

 

I never thought about heating it but that Super Clean is some GREAT stuff.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/super-clean-degreaser-review-165478-lastpost.html

Brian

 

I think that every cleaning product is going to have a smell to it.......Going to piss off the neighbors Hell, my wife complains about the smells from our adjoined garage to our house. I think people in an apartment building are going to have a LOT to say about it, with good reason

 

The smell shouldn't migrate to the neighbors buildings. I live in a townhouse so I have an outside door and don't share anything with the neighbors so I'm sure the smell shouldn't bother the neighbors. If worse comes to worse I will get a sealed container and clean the parts on the back patio with the solvent and then go inside and rinse it off and oil everything up. any other suggestions besides the purple power, super clean, and green stuff. Im pretty sure all of those are available at the local auto parts store which is good.

 

The smell shouldn't migrate to the neighbors buildings. I live in a townhouse so I have an outside door and don't share anything with the neighbors so I'm sure the smell shouldn't bother the neighbors. If worse comes to worse I will get a sealed container and clean the parts on the back patio with the solvent and then go inside and rinse it off and oil everything up. any other suggestions besides the purple power, super clean, and green stuff. Im pretty sure all of those are available at the local auto parts store which is good.

I'd do it on your patio.. not indoors,, even if they can't smell it..
if you cause a fire your townhouse (condo)
will take others with it.. not worth the chance , imho

 

Been seeing a lotta good write-ups lately about using PINE-SOL full strength

 

Holy sheet that stuff stinks to high heaven you whole apartment would be smelling like a restroom. I think Safety Kleen is non-flammable but I am not sure of the odor.

Vince

 

I've found that my "Cajun cooker", water, and dishwasher detergent works very well. And smells good too. Just set yer parts "stew" boiling, and go do something else, like hone cylinders, or something.
Also, a good used dishwasher works just as well, if not better. Just put yer parts in and turn it on.
(Don't use the one in yer kitchen, yer Ol' Lady will get mad) Won't damage any soft metal parts, and get's 'em nice and clean.

 

Actually this is not too bad of an idea. I have used a heated solution of anti freeze to removed burnt and dried up castor oil residue from model aircraft engines. Usually an overnight soak will render the engine looking like new.

Vince

 

How about something like this:

Green 1-Gal. Odorless Mineral Spirits-GKGO75000 at The Home Depot

Edit: I zoomed on the label and it says: not a flammble liquid*.
There's always a "but"...

 

heated sodium hydroxide, (super clean or purple power or others) =Same principle as oven cleaner ( sodium hydroxide).

Just be careful, the hotter the solution is the more reactive it is.
Eye protection would be very wise.

 

Be very carefull it can be damaging to aluminum. I once sprayed oven cleaner on the engine of a motorcycle before it had cooled properly. To my horror I watched as the oven cleaner turned the aluminum almost black.

Vince

 

NAPA sells a water-based degreaser that works amazingly well. I've only used the spray bottle, but I'll be getting some for my parts washer as well. I was sure it wasn't going to work but I was pleasantly surprised.