the 4runner I bought has been leaking oil (from engine), grease and diff oil (front axle) for so long it is covered in some kind of gunk all the way back to the transfer case. I have tried auto zone engine degreaser and a pressure washer with no luck. someone told me that oven cleaner would take it right off. would this not have bad effects on the wiring or aluminum housings? It is a mess just trying to work on this thing, you are covered in this stuff. I finally pulled the front axle and chiseled it off with a pressure washer for about an hour to clean it. I changed the timing cover and washed the parts down with gas and diesel fuel to get them clean. now it is time to pull the transfer case to put in duals. was thinking of using oven cleaner on the trans and t-case to clean it. has anyone else tried this?

 

Socs dont know ya but would like to see ya here more often!!! PLEASE DONT CLEAN WITH GAS OR DIESEL OR KEROSENE!!!! It only takes a second to turn into a human torch. Yeah I know you've done it before, and so have I but never again. To many OSHA classes
Jim

 

I'm not a big fan of using it either but nothing else works. made sure no sparks or flames were present.

 

 

Simple green! Crappy cell phone video but the stuff melts grease away. With a minty smell! http://s181.photobucket.com/albums/x...impleGreen.flv

 

Simple green dulls your aluminum. I use Gunk Engine Brite in the spray can. It's a phenol if I remember correctly, which makes it carcinogenic and environmentally nasty, but it works. Come to think of it...I'll probably use Simple Green the nest time.

 

I'VE not used oven cleaner on a truck, but i've used an assload of it cleaning stainless steel french fry fryers, and it is some good cleaning stuff. i've also used it on anything that had layers of hard grease, like brick walls, textured Fiberglass Resin Panels...i used the easy off max in the blue can, it has less odor. we also used simple green to clean the grease traps for the hood vent because we did them daily and wanted something non toxic. but the periodic french fryer cleanings required easy off and a scraper or green 3m pad. spray it down with some silicone spray if after you clean it if you're worried about it looking "dull".

 

I know Marlin used to buy oven cleaner by the case for cleaning t-cases and trannys. I've used it once or twice and it did OK. It will potentially leave dark stains on bare aluminum.

 

I hate oven cleaner. Make sure you use heavy rubber gloves, it will numb your fingers. Ask me how I figured that out.

 

Watch oven cleaner on painted surfaces....sometimes I use it to take off old coatings on valve covers and other things that still have paint left behind when I cannot afford stripper.

 

Heres what to do. Call up rentals unlimited or a local power tool renting facility and locate a steam cleaner. Rent it for the day...

Spray degreaser all over everything. Let it sit for 20min. Put on some goggles, thick latex gloves (the ones chicks use to do the dishes the old fashion way...), a beer hat (very important), and turn that sucker on.

Start spraying and you will not believe how clean your gonna get everything. Clean enough to eat off of.

This is how we clean engines, trans, axles, frames..... It works very very well. Takes no time at all.

You can also call up some auto repair shops and see if someone does steam cleaning. Will cost about 30-50$ but renting one costs about the same. You can find many other things to clean with it after your done with every car on the block.

Word of warning... Don't drink to much because you may end up forgetting to return it and paying for a second day. It happens to all of us.

 

well I tried engine brite and simply green and the gunk just laughed at it. I just got a phone # to someone that does the steam cleaning, I'll try that next week. fyi, I did use something called super clean in a purple spray bottle from walmart that did knock some of the junk off the tranny.

 

Easy off will turn aluminum black if you leave it on too long, I guess it corrodes it or something. Steam cleaners work awesome if they are legal in your area, I think they are outlawed in cali now. Even just using hot water makes a difference, you may be able to tap your hot water heater to feed a pressure washer. You're dealing with baked on gear oil, that crap is bad news. Good luck!

 

we mix simple green, engine degreaser, and dish soap with water in a spray bottle, shake well and apply thoroughly, then pressure wash away.