any tips on cleaning transmision Options

[gopack]

I am by no means authority, but it is my understanding that the transmission case is magnesium. based on that assumption cleaning it with whatever not corrosive means is fine, but once that is done, it needs to be painted or otherwise coated. mag oxidises and becomes brittle in no time if not protected from the atmosphere. on my matchless g50 the cases and hubs were mag and had an aluminized gold paint that was on any of the magnesium parts. it used to turn green overnight without a barrier.

"A clean, unprotected magnesium alloy surface exposed to indoor or outdoor atmospheres free from salt spray will develop a gray film that protects the metal from corrosion while causing only negligible losses in mechanical properties."

answer from "corrosion-doctors.org"

So basically, Magnesium is like aluminum, it forms a protective layer of oxidation on the surface, and nothing else is needed...as long as ther is no salt present to foster continued corrosion!

[injunmort]

I think I will paint mine, better safe yhan sorry, if its all the same.

[stugray]

I have two that I am interested in:

1 - cleaned with nothing but a toothbrush & soap & water.
Looked great but took a huge amount of elbow grease.

2 - one I purchased, PO plugged the vent and gave it a good cleaning in the parts washer.

They both look the same afterwards.

So.. If I can pull the diff out of one case and clean the crap out of it, what would be best (DIY, no walnut shell blasting) to clean it with if I wanted to paint it with caliper paint afterwards?

I painted my calipers with a brush and have plenty of High-temp silver caliper paint left.

Stu

[Eric_Shea]

Do not use Gunk or harsh engine cleaners on magnesium.

It will pit them metal quickly.

[scotty b]

1: find the local engine machine shop. ( ask the local rednecks )

2: get them to clean it in their heated, turntable, jet spray, magic machine

3: spend 50.00 and have a super clean case to go forward with and no caustic chemicals staining your garage/driveway/hands/clothes





4: 330 people chip in 100 bucks so I can get a heated, turntable, jet spray, magic machine, and I'll do the supporters trannies for life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Eric_Shea]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

My 915 was steam cleaned by a generous member here. If you really want it to look new, try walnut after that.

[Cairo94507]

Dr. Evil did mine. It is an original Six transaxle converted to side-shifter. I saved the tail-shift parts.

[ThePaintedMan]

Wow, that last one is pretty!

This was just several cans of brake cleaner, scraping, more brake cleaner and then rattle can silver.

[Mr.242]

Before I cleaned up my transmission I soaked it in WD-40. I let it sit for 2 days and then hit it with a pressure washer. The WD helped breakdown the gunk that was on the tranny.

I then rebuilt it within 2 days after that with Dr. Evil when he came to the Portland area.

[mr914]

1) Go to Dollar store get 3-4 bottles of Awsome Orange

2) Go to Goodwill or similar, buy change of clothes that you will toss

3) Spray trans with Awesome orange

4) while soaking, put liner in trunk or hatch, put on goodwill clothes over regular clothes...

5) drive to car wash and pressure wash, spray again with Awesome orange, remember to put on stocking cap, safety glasses and dust mask

6) Blast away, you will make a mess of yourself

7) Take home and spray with awesome orange on remaining debris, use appropriate brush

And after you have done all of this, you will be almost, if not as clean as the stationary pressure washer cabinets...

[euro911]

I used some concentrated degreaser from a restaurant supply store and a variety of plastic scrapers and brushes to clean mine, then sprayed it with a hi-temp glossy gray paint (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)





I think I'll try that 'Awesome' stuff next time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)