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Posted by: Harpo Mar 22 2012, 04:26 PM

What is the best way to clean up my trans. I believe the case is magnesium is there a cleaning agent that I should stay away from?

Once it is clean what should I use to protect the trans and help keep it clean?

Thanks

David

Posted by: Scott S Mar 22 2012, 04:48 PM

I used simple green and lots of tooth brush sized wire brushes in varios stiffnesses. The brushes came in 3 packs at nearly every local auto parts stores.

After it dried for a few days I went over the whole thing again with just a new set of brushes (dry). Looks clean, but not over restored/polished.

(sorry for the crappy pic)


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Mar 22 2012, 04:53 PM

I use "Awsome" from the $ store! Works great!

Just spray it on, scrub it a bit, let it sit for a while and pressure wash it off....repeat!

Posted by: slothness Mar 22 2012, 05:05 PM

Everyone has an opinion on this. I used name brand EZ Off oven cleaner and a hard nylon bristle brush with a damp rag, my trans was coated in heavy crispy grime and it cleaned it beautifully. Then coat it with a liberal amount of Tectyl (waxy type spray on coating).

Posted by: Dr Evil Mar 22 2012, 05:07 PM

Tectyl is crap. You need to reapply too often. See my 31 pages of note for my opinions on this

Posted by: wingnut86 Mar 22 2012, 05:14 PM

Doc,

There ya go again, understated as always. Stop beating around the damn bush and tell us what you realy mean...

Posted by: slothness Mar 22 2012, 05:22 PM

Yeah, I only mentioned something specific because the notes kinda say don't clean your tranz. If you do then search other forums for methods, or paint it. My trans was so caked with "road caca" cleaning it was a must cuz the last thing I want is overheating with all the money I put into that thing. The front of my trans is painted black, the intermediate plate and tail cone are Tectyl, reapplication is no biggie.

Posted by: Dr Evil Mar 22 2012, 05:27 PM

Pressure washing bad, tectyl bad, clean with Eazy Off good, paint good.

Simple?

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Mar 22 2012, 05:30 PM

If you are NOT opening it up to service it!

Posted by: bulitt Mar 22 2012, 05:30 PM

Pressure washing ok right before your clinic????

Posted by: RobW Mar 22 2012, 05:34 PM

If doing a hand job, use a 2 inch round wire brush on a drill...

Puns galore.

Posted by: Harpo Mar 22 2012, 06:14 PM

Yes I plan to rebuild at the Ohio trans clinic. quarter power wash was something that I was considering.

Thanks

David

Posted by: Dr Evil Mar 22 2012, 06:23 PM

If right before clinic, pressure wash ok. It is the water that gets in and sits that is the reason.

Posted by: a914622 Mar 22 2012, 06:23 PM

I have used this method for a long time. Jacobs paint stripper and a power washer will make it look like new. I have a bunch of trannys in storage and before i put them away I clean them and put on a coat of LP3. Its the waxy shipping grease. sprays on like a thin honey and dries to a wax.

If its going in use I like the machine gray engine paint. Or black.


jeff

Ps Jacobs also cleans pistons

Posted by: JmuRiz Mar 22 2012, 08:30 PM

Would something like Gibbs penetrating oil work to protect it after cleaning? Isn't tact what some 911 guys use on their fans?

Posted by: Dr Evil Mar 23 2012, 06:48 AM

The Gibbs oil is something I am not familiar with, but Gibbs does make a protectant that some use (the name escapes me).

The only reason to use exotic preparations on your case is if you do not plan on cleaning it completely If you remove the grease and dirt, just paint the dang thing. I am using a product from POR-15 that looks like brushed aluminum.

Posted by: Steve73 Aug 11 2012, 09:24 PM

What about painting it with Silver caliper paint. It's designed for high heat and is "chemical" resistant.

Posted by: Drums66 Aug 11 2012, 09:44 PM

.....Wire wheel & drill....Fuch,no....power wash easy/off or simple green.....
speaking from decades of experience!!

Posted by: speed metal army Aug 11 2012, 09:48 PM

I used some s100 cycle cleaner, works kickass! A brush in the spots the goo was super heavy helped too.

Posted by: Richard Casto Aug 12 2012, 07:14 AM

We all have our opinions regarding Tectyl (or equivalent). Short of painting, I challenge people to suggest a better solution. I have done some long term testing with...

* Tectyl
* Gibbs
* No coating (bare metal after cleaning)

Tectyl wins hands down. It is not perfect and doesn't last forever, but provides good protection. Painting is great, but everyone can't afford (or even want) to do it. So they need other options.

To the OP question. Others have made good suggestions. I prefer non acidic/caustic solutions, but they can work if you don't go crazy. I would only pressure wash if you plan on opening it up right afterward. Be careful with using wire brushes. I don't use steel wire and even then only scrub by hand. It really comes down to putting in the time. Dental style picks are good for cleaning the hard to reach places.

Richard

Posted by: Dr Evil Aug 12 2012, 07:15 AM

Pefectly good idea

Posted by: Mr.242 Aug 12 2012, 08:18 AM

When I did mine, I first soaked it real good with WD-40 all over the stinkin thing for a couple days. I mean SOAKED it. Figured I was hydrating all that other oil and grease that had somewhat dried.

THEN...I used degreaser and the pressure washer just before the tranny rebuild. Cleaned up really easy. Not sure if because of the WD-40 or not. If I have to clean a part, I usually think if I can make it worse first...I feel better about how clean I get it. A true WIN/WIN.

Tranny came out looking great. Sounds like everyone has their own fetish on how to handle their tranny's.

Posted by: gopack Aug 12 2012, 08:58 AM

I second Jeff. he gave me a bottle of this stuff , and i went to the car wash and took 35 years of crusty grime off in 10 minutes! Wear clothes you don't care about though!!

Posted by: JamesM Jul 9 2013, 10:55 AM

Not sure if it is the right way to go or not, but i find WD40 to be a great cleaner for just about everything and have used it on a couple boxes as well.