14 replies to this topic

[ljv8]

Hey all,

 

Has anyone worked out how to clean the crusty demons out of an original Holden 6 breather oil cap?

 

I have a couple that are extra gunky, and would love to get them clean for re-use since no-one does a reproduction.  I'm using an aftermarket one now but looks wrong, and would love to get mine clean, painted up and usable.

 

I'm thinking maybe an extended soak in petrol may work, soaking the first one below in de-greaser didn't work.  I was thinking to maybe pry open the lip to take it apart to replace the guaze, but worried I will stuff it.  Does anyone have any tips on de-gunking a cap, without destroying it?

 

Nice and rusty but the outside will be relatively easy to clean.

 OilCap01.png   363.16K   2 downloads

 

This one is probably worse, and if I was going to pry one open this is probably the one I will try. 

 OilCap02.png   376.33K   3 downloads

 

This is my 2nd one which has less rust but plenty of gunk.

 OilCap03.png   322.54K   2 downloads

[Indy Orange]

You can soak in phos acid and get rid or that rust or molasses ,prime and paint.Nah , don't pry it open ,soak in degreaser for a few days , blow it out with compressor , re oil with light oil .

Edited by Indy Orange, 06 March 2021 - 09:18 PM.

[S pack]

Soak in kerosene for a few days.

[warrenm]

If you are using a hydrocarbon based degreaser or petrol, leave it soak for a few days, water based may need longer.

As above, don't try to open it. 

[ljv8]

Hey thanks guy's for the ideas much appreciated.  I think the degreaser I used must have been water based and didn't make much difference last time after soaking it for a few days.  Maybe it was a cheap crappy one, can't recall.

 

I had some kerosene so dropped it in a kerosene bath this morning, and after just an hour it's already showing signs of cleaning up really well.  Gunk is breaking down and I can start to see shiny gauze.  Dave's approach looks like it may be the winner in my instance.  Will check in a couple of days and post up the results.

[73SUNBURSTEXYOUWON]

Dont Chrome it, that will destroy the gauze inside.

[S pack]

Hey thanks guy's for the ideas much appreciated.  I think the degreaser I used must have been water based and didn't make much difference last time after soaking it for a few days.  Maybe it was a cheap crappy one, can't recall.

 

I had some kerosene so dropped it in a kerosene bath this morning, and after just an hour it's already showing signs of cleaning up really well.  Gunk is breaking down and I can start to see shiny gauze.  Dave's approach looks like it may be the winner in my instance.  Will check in a couple of days and post up the results.

Every now and again give it a bit of a shake to swish the kero around inside and then tip it out into the kero bath. Put it back into the bath and let it soak some more.

When the kero bath is looking quite cruddy tip it out and put in fresh kero and repeat the process until clean.

Disclaimer: Ensure you dispose of the old kero in an environmentally responsible manner.
 

[bat 53]

i used molasses took a week clean as a whistle

[claysummers]

Every now and again give it a bit of a shake to swish the kero around inside and then tip it out into the kero bath. Put it back into the bath and let it soak some more.
When the kero bath is looking quite cruddy tip it out and put in fresh kero and repeat the process until clean.
Disclaimer: Ensure you dispose of the old kero in an environmentally responsible manner.

He means burn shit with it.


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[claysummers]

From memory the HK owners manual said to soak the cap in kero every oil change (3000 miles) and put some oil back in.


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[73SUNBURSTEXYOUWON]

He means burn shit with it.


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Recycle the Kero in your Kero burning Refrigerator,

[ljv8]

Ok have been swirling and shaking it out a few times.  Cleaning up real nice.  After repeating this for a couple of days and a kero change should be like new!  And I thought Kero was just for ancient lamps and tractors.

 

Showing what was the second cap in my original post that looking much cleaner has been soaking since this morning, next to the uncleaned one.

 CapPartialClean01.png   533.66K   3 downloads

 

Haha my thoughts about used Kero were the same, fire starter for the 44 gallon drum! 

Edited by ljv8, 07 March 2021 - 03:08 PM.

[LXCHEV]

That looks excellent. Your other option would be to soak in white vinegar - I've been doing similar myself lately and it's been excellent at cleaning deep rust off various parts.

[ljv8]

Hey thanks all some great suggestions here.  I only ended up trying the Kerosene because I had it on hand, and it worked to perfection at breaking down the gunk.  I would image vinegar would probably also work well, and sounds like molasses works too. 

 

Left to soak for a day, a bit of swirling here and there and shaking out any gunk.  The Kerosene was very dirty tipped it out and had a nice layer of grime in the bottom of the container.  Filled up with fresh Kerosene to soak overnight.  Next day did the same thing bit of a shake here and there throughout the day.  Put another batch of fresh Kerosene through it and it was coming out clean and blue after two full days.  Stripped off the old cracked paint and gave it a fresh coat of silver.

 

Super happy with the end result, came out like new and not a trace of gunk caught in the gauze.  Thanks Dave. 

 

I'm now doing a cycle with the extra rusty gunky cap in the top photo.  Looks like it's going to take three days of soaking to fully clean, but its coming out nice too.  These caps probably had decades of build up, and now going to have two nice caps to choose from.

 

Cleaned and painted
 Cleaned01.png   627.82K   1 downloads

 

As you can see dirty kero on the left and fresh on the right.  It really gets in there and breaks down the grime.

 Cleaned02.png   444.61K   1 downloads

[warrenm]

I wouldn't use vinegar, I think it will eat the filter medium.