Does anyone have any favorites for disolving the gunk that forms in a gearbox when 90 weight lube and water get churned together into a gloppy mess the consistency of chocolate mousse?

Yes, I'd LOVE to take the boxes open and clean them out in a parts washer, but I don't want to have to dis-assemble our 50 ton whiting drop table.

Degreasing compounds - might affect the new lube if not completely removed, and that is doubtful.

Kerosene and a wash-down gun - been there, helps, but doesn't really cut all the gunk. Makes you smell real pretty though.

Gasoline - well, it's sitting in the gear boxes right now.

thanks in advance.


rudd@cogdellmendrala.com

Non solvent based cleaners are in right now. Try Buckeye Blue, it cleans everything. Use it straight or cut it with water.

Tom Gears
Wilmington, DE

Forgotten Delaware
tgears1@comcast.net

> Does anyone have any favorites for disolving
> the gunk that forms in a gearbox when 90
> weight lube and water get churned together
> into a gloppy mess the consistency of
> chocolate mousse?

> Yes, I'd LOVE to take the boxes open and
> clean them out in a parts washer, but I
> don't want to have to dis-assemble our 50
> ton whiting drop table.

As the owner of a sanitary cleaning supplies distributor I was recently approached by an outfit which distributes biological based oil and grease removers. They are based upon bacteria developed by a Scottish firm which metabolize petroleum products converting them to Carbon Dioxide and water. Once they finish digesting their"food" they die. They presently market two liquid based formulas which were developed for cleaning up fuel spills at gasoline stations and are used by fire departments as well. These products are designed to work with pressure washers but I imagine that they can be applied and left alone to do their thing. They also market a gel based product for remediating fuel and oil spills in the ground without having to dig up the area and this product has been marketed to railroads. These products carry German environmental approval and I understand that German environmental regulations are even stricter than the EPA's. I am going to experiment with these products to clean up engine compartments on several diesel locomotives. I am only waiting for the weather to warm up as I have been told that the critters are not as effective in cold weather. I will report my findings at a later date.

> Degreasing compounds - might affect the new
> lube if not completely removed, and that is
> doubtful.

> Kerosene and a wash-down gun - been there,
> helps, but doesn't really cut all the gunk.
> Makes you smell real pretty though.

> Gasoline - well, it's sitting in the gear
> boxes right now.

> thanks in advance.


Hal@ThirdEve.com

A question ... What is Buckeye Blue ? All I can find is an MSDS list on it

I have used "Macs Degreaser" to clean up gunk. You mix this stuff with diesel fuel apply it and wash it off with water .. it converts the grease to soap. I don't know how it would work with some thing that already has water in it tho. Should be able to get it at an auto supply store.


lamontdc@adelphia.net

Sh!! Rudd, I go away for two weeks and somebody lubricates the drop pit with H2O.

How about using an alcohol based cleaner followed by a dose of Water Displacer 40? Conversely, we could go to a water based lubricant like cutting oil - white lead in a slurry.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

Buckeye Blue is made by Buckeye International. I think you need to talk to a local distributor to get the real lowdown on it. I can tell you that is works great, Ihave worked in industry for almost 20 years and have really gotten to use it a lot.

Tom

They are on the web at:
http://www.buckeyeinternational.com/

Forgotten Delaware
tom@forgottendelaware.com

I remember running into a similar problem with an engine one time that had a blown head gasket and antifreeze contaminated the oil. Turned it the consistency of a milkshake. We drained the crankcase best we could and then filled it with automatic transmission fluid. Left it sit overnight and it drained quite nicely the next morning. Not sure if this will help, but may be worth a try.

Tranny fluid is highly detergent and has lubricating properties that shouldn't affect things too much after the drain and refill.

shaymech@hotmail.com

You know John, i used this same trick on a motor salvaged from a Subaru that rolled down a cliff (yanked out a few years later) that I put into the Brat I made out of parts found lying by the road in Colorado - my Silver Plume Blizzard car. I lubed it on ATF on the bench spraying brake clean into the intake manifold for several bursts if 15 - 20 seconds each over a period of a couple days and it really cleaned out a lot of grungy crud and ran very well on motor oil after installing it in the jalopy.

Yeah, it sounds well worth a try.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

Good point I used ATF to loosen the hardened grease in my fan gearboxes on the GE. It is also a very penetrating, penetrating oil.

When the PCV valve on my '81 Honda Civic went bad, it also made chocolate mousse under the valve covers. A new valve and the heat of the engine drove off the water leaving some sad looking oil.


lamontdc@adelphia.net