Drained my crap can today

[folivier]

Started out early to remove the rock screen, only it wouldn't come out! The drain plug on the crap can was jammed against the screen and the trailer hitch. Well I'm a can-do kinda guy, so about an hour later (and a 1/2 pint less blood) I had the screen out. Only now I couldn't remove the plug because of the hitch! I tried removing the front bolts on the hitch but couldn't loosen the rear bolts. I ended up taking off the bolts holding the can to the oil pan and was just barely able to remove the plug. About a pint of black thick oil came out, no water, no anti-freeze (whew). I did grind the brass plug down some to be able to install it (by the hardest). But I can't see how the previous owner ever had the can drained. But if it only had a pint after 16 years, it shouldn't be a problem. Tomorrow I plan to extend the slobber tubes to past the radiator.
The right (passenger) side of the engine was pretty clean, but the left side looked like it has been leaking oil since '93 and never cleaned. I started cleaning it with Simple Green but looks like it may take a stronger degreaser. Hopefully I can get it clean enough to tell where it is leaking from and get that stopped..
Now to find the advil and wine bottle!

[chockwald]

Congrats Forest......nothing is ever as easy as it should be.....at least there is nothing in the can to worry about! When you applied the Simple Green did you let it sit for 5 minutes before spraying it off? I found I had to apply it 2, or 3 times to get it really clean. Also, what ratio of Simple Green to water are you using, or are you using the concentrate without water?

[folivier]

I'm using it full strength and waiting about 20-30 minutes before spraying it off, so far I've sprayed it twice.

[tuga]

Forest,

Just a suggestion: get a spray can of brake cleaner. It really does a good job of cleaning grease. I have seen mechanics do this in truck stops.

Also, if you have any oil that has found its way onto your air bags seriously consider changing those air bags. Oil can ruin a rubber air bag quickly. And believe me, it will burst at the most inopportune time; like in the middle of downtown Dallas at 5 PM!

As Tom would say, just my .02

[HoosierDaddy]

Hi Forest
I would recommend that you have the engine AND radiator steam cleaned. These rear engine rear radiator mounts tend to build up a lot of oily debris in the radiator. Brake cleaner (especially those containing Tetrachloroethylene) are very effective.
Also if you happen to walk inside on the carpet with oily shoes you will be amazed at how well brake cleaner will clean that mess....Spray it on-wipe it off. (Voice of experience here B-) )

[Richard and Rhonda]

Tetra was the old dry cleaning fluid. Long out of use becuase of it's carcinogenic properties. Not meaning to be a goody goody, but be careful with that stuff.

[prestadude]

My dad sold industrial degreasers and we always had a 5 gallon can of trichloroethylene in the garage for cleaning parts. It is a fantastic cleaning solvent. I remember putting greasy bike parts into a pie tin full of TCE and you could literally see the grease jump off the parts. When I was done, I would use the dirty TCE to kill weeds in cracks on the driveway (so much for environmental stewardship although this was 40 years ago). I am probably a walking cancer timebomb now but boy did I have a clean bike!

[prairieschooner]

hey now... the owner of Simple Green is one of my Customers. Everyone should use his product so that I get paid when working for Bruce.
and yes his toys are green or with green trim.

[folivier]

Well I finished up my latest project today. Got the pre-heater working. I had a feeling (hoped) it was the thermostat. Problem is the second screw holding the cover was against the frame with an inch clearance. Went to Lowe's and got an offset ratcheting screwdriver. Yeah this'll work, well someone had obviously tried that before and stripped the head of the screw! Not to be defeated by this latest setback I decided to just bypass it. Plugged it back in and it works! Pulling 10 amps and warming up. Also extended the slobber tubes to behind the radiator with some pvc pipe and elbows. Hopefully this will keep some of the grime off the radiator.

Hey Steve, think Bruce would give us a discount for Simple Green?