Carb cleaner or Brake clean

[Murf 013]

I'm putting my engine back together from doing the heads. I'd like to know what
is best for cleaning all the mating surfaces like heads to block, water pump to
block. Is Carb cleaner or brake clean any good or do they leave a film? Also is
acetone or mineral spirits any better to use.

 

[SweetManTo]

If there is something else to use please let me know.

 

[dodgeboy]

Lacquer thinner on a rag is the cats ass.
Dodgeboy

Hard on the skin and don't inhale too much!

 

[Joe Pfeiffer]

3) I would think that carb and brake cleaners are used for such cleaning
specifically *because* they do not leave a film.

that's true of brake cleaner; carb cleaner is supposed to leave some
lubricant behind, which I would expect to be just what you *don't*
want in this situation. I've used mineral spirits until it was as
clean as I could get it, then a wipe with brake cleaner, with success.

 

[Mike Behnke]

According to the MSDS from CRC, the California (Green can) version
contains toluene, methanol, acetone and CO2.
(http://crcindustries.com/FAXDOCS/MSDS/1192.PDF)

The standard (Red can) is basically dry cleaning fluid
(tetrachloroethylene) and CO2
(http://crcindustries.com/FAXDOCS/MSDS/5089.PDF )

Ironically the "chlorine free" Brakleen in
the green can DOES have all the nasties in it including a healthy
percentage of MEK. Just no chlorine....

--

 

[Steve]

According to the MSDS from CRC, the California (Green can) version
contains toluene, methanol, acetone and CO2.
(http://crcindustries.com/FAXDOCS/MSDS/1192.PDF)

The last can I actually bought listed MEK as well.

The standard (Red can) is basically dry cleaning fluid
(tetrachloroethylene) and CO2
(http://crcindustries.com/FAXDOCS/MSDS/5089.PDF )

Yep, which is a lot less agressive at getting into your tissues and
causing problems than MEK or Toluene, and although bad to breathe isn't
nearly AS bad to breathe. And its not flammable (but does release
phosgene if sprayed into a flame... so DON'T DO THAT! whereas the
others are highly flammable.

 

[Rex B]

|According to the MSDS from CRC, the California (Green can) version
|contains toluene, methanol, acetone and CO2.
|(http://crcindustries.com/FAXDOCS/MSDS/1192.PDF)
|
|The standard (Red can) is basically dry cleaning fluid
|(tetrachloroethylene) and CO2
|(http://crcindustries.com/FAXDOCS/MSDS/5089.PDF )

....where the CO2 is the propellant

 

[Ric]

I've used WD40 for 'cleaning' parts and surfaces for years. I've learned
from an old salt to let it 'dry' off before doing any work after using it.
It's worked for me, but if your in a pinch, try using alcohol on metal only.
I don't fix stuff 'right now'. Personally, 'I'll fix no car in your time'..
But, I don't let cars out of my shop that don't work. Guaranteed.

Ric