Coleman fuel for engine cleaning?

timwinters

timwinters

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Over on red, Tom D recently stated that Coleman fuel works great for cleaning engines. Sounds intriguing but I don't trust much, if any, of what Tom D spouts without independent verification.

Has anyone have experience with this? Effective? And maybe more importantly, safe?

I don't know exactly what the volatility of Coleman fuel is...say...as compared to gasoline but it doesn't seem kosher to use a fuel for cleaning.

I need to give my engine a thorough cleaning in the near future in an attempt to chase down an oil leak and I just happen to have an extra gallon of Coleman sitting in the garage.
 
timwinters said:
Over on red, Tom D recently stated that Coleman fuel works great for cleaning engines. Sounds intriguing but I don't trust much, if any, of what Tom D spouts without independent verification.

Has anyone have experience with this? Effective? And maybe more importantly, safe?

I don't know exactly what the volatility of Coleman fuel is...say...as compared to gasoline but it doesn't seem kosher to use a fuel for cleaning.

I need to give my engine a thorough cleaning in the near future in an attempt to chase down an oil leak and I just happen to have an extra gallon of Coleman sitting in the garage.
Click to expand...

Coleman fuel is gasoline. What's wrong with using mineral spirits?
 
The local shop used something called Varsol. Sprayed it onto the engine, then blew it off with an air nozzle. They sprayed it on with an air nozzle with a venturi pickup out of the Varsol container.
 
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timwinters said:
Over on red, Tom D recently stated that Coleman fuel works great for cleaning engines. Sounds intriguing but I don't trust much, if any, of what Tom D spouts without independent verification.

Has anyone have experience with this? Effective? And maybe more importantly, safe?

I don't know exactly what the volatility of Coleman fuel is...say...as compared to gasoline but it doesn't seem kosher to use a fuel for cleaning.

I need to give my engine a thorough cleaning in the near future in an attempt to chase down an oil leak and I just happen to have an extra gallon of Coleman sitting in the garage.
Click to expand...

For what its worth -
FAA 8083-30 Chapter 6 said:
When cleaning an engine, open or remove the cowling
as much as possible. Beginning with the top, wash
down the engine and accessories with a fine spray of
kerosene or solvent. A bristle brush may be used to
help clean some of the surfaces
Click to expand...
 
timwinters said:
Over on red, Tom D recently stated that Coleman fuel works great for cleaning engines. Sounds intriguing but I don't trust much, if any, of what Tom D spouts without independent verification.

Has anyone have experience with this? Effective? And maybe more importantly, safe?

I don't know exactly what the volatility of Coleman fuel is...say...as compared to gasoline but it doesn't seem kosher to use a fuel for cleaning.

I need to give my engine a thorough cleaning in the near future in an attempt to chase down an oil leak and I just happen to have an extra gallon of Coleman sitting in the garage.
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm..

Coleman fuel is just "white" gas..... It will work for a solvent but is VERY explosive...... Mineral Spirits works just as well, is easier to find.... and cheaper too....

ps.... god help the red board....:rolleyes:
 
timwinters said:
Over on red, Tom D recently stated that Coleman fuel works great for cleaning engines. Sounds intriguing but I don't trust much, if any, of what Tom D spouts without independent verification.
Click to expand...

"White gas" (Coleman fuel) was developed by Coleman to keep the lead from poisoning the mantle in the lanterns. White gas is pure gasoline, or as we know it today "unleaded".

Tom probably has a thousand pound CO2 extinguisher in his hangar for this sort of thing, because as others have noted, it is volatile and explosive as is unleaded car gas. I rarely challenge Tom as I have never found him off the mark.

As others have noted, mineral spirits (paint thinner) or kerosene will do a fine job on an engine, especially if blown on with some force, like a garden weed sprayer or paint pot with an air compressor.

Jim
 
weirdjim;1477814..... [/B said:
As others have noted, mineral spirits (paint thinner) or kerosene will do a fine job on an engine, especially if blown on with some force, like a garden weed sprayer or paint pot with an air compressor.

Jim
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Personally I prefer Mineral Spirits over gasoline since the evaporation rate is ALOT less with mineral spirits and it stays moist longer giving any built up grease /dirt a greater chance of dissolving... IMHO..
 
Brad Z said:
Coleman fuel is gasoline. What's wrong with using mineral spirits?
Click to expand...
Not just any gasoline! But Amoco unleaded premium gasoline, AKA "White Gas".

My last experience with Mineral Spirits left something to be desired.
After all, when did mineral spirits become white, lumpy, and non-flamable.
What a mess.
I don't really like using mineral spirits to wash down, because it doesn't cleanly evaporate, but it has lower volatility than gas. I'll use it for the initial cleaning, then remove all residue with a can of ether. You'll be left with a clean, dry, oil free surface in just a few seconds. Just don't strike no matches fer a few minutes.
 
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weirdjim said:
"White gas" (Coleman fuel) was developed by Coleman to keep the lead from poisoning the mantle in the lanterns. White gas is pure gasoline, or as we know it today "unleaded".

Tom probably has a thousand pound CO2 extinguisher in his hangar for this sort of thing, because as others have noted, it is volatile and explosive as is unleaded car gas. I rarely challenge Tom as I have never found him off the mark.

As others have noted, mineral spirits (paint thinner) or kerosene will do a fine job on an engine, especially if blown on with some force, like a garden weed sprayer or paint pot with an air compressor.

Jim
Click to expand...
When atomised by the afore mentioned process, kerosene, and mineral spirits, can be quite explosive. ;)
 
weirdjim said:
"White gas" (Coleman fuel) was developed by Coleman to keep the lead from poisoning the mantle in the lanterns. White gas is pure gasoline, or as we know it today "unleaded".

Tom probably has a thousand pound CO2 extinguisher in his hangar for this sort of thing, because as others have noted, it is volatile and explosive as is unleaded car gas. I rarely challenge Tom as I have never found him off the mark.

As others have noted, mineral spirits (paint thinner) or kerosene will do a fine job on an engine, especially if blown on with some force, like a garden weed sprayer or paint pot with an air compressor.

Jim
Click to expand...

Not so sure white gas was developed by Colman. It was quite available at marinas and at gas stations in the 60s and 70s.
 
N801BH said:
Coleman fuel is just "white" gas..... It will work for a solvent but is VERY explosive.
Click to expand...
You might as well just use 100LL. Depending on how you buy the Coleman fuel, the 100LL is probably cheaper. 100LL also works really well to get oil stains out of a concrete floor. Cover the stain with Oil-Dry, slosh the 100LL onto the oil dry to saturate it, then brush it back and forth on the oil stain for a while. Shovel up and toss the Oil-Dry.

The thing I like about 100L is that it evaporates without leaving a light oil residue, unlike mogas.

Of course all of this is really stupid. :)
 
airdale said:
You might as well just use 100LL. Depending on how you buy the Coleman fuel, the 100LL is probably cheaper. 100LL also works really well to get oil stains out of a concrete floor. Cover the stain with Oil-Dry, slosh the 100LL onto the oil dry to saturate it, then brush it back and forth on the oil stain for a while. Shovel up and toss the Oil-Dry.

The thing I like about 100L is that it evaporates without leaving a light oil residue, unlike mogas.

Of course all of this is really stupid. :)
Click to expand...

I know "someone" who uses 100LL for the same reasons you state... it does work well for those purposes too.. When used with caution, it is an effective degreaser and stain removal product..... Next time I see this "person";):wink2: .. I will tell (him).... others agree with your thoughts......:D

ps... Best way to remove oil from concrete floors is to sprinkle it on the oil, I then take my shoe and grind it in till the oil dry is powder and then it wicks up all the stain /oil spot.. Let it sit for an hour or so and sweep up the oil dry...... By reducing it to powder form, it seems to remove all the oil better. IMHO...
 
Gunk brand engine degreaser in the spray cans works great. Spray it on, let it soak in, then rinse off with water and let the engine dry. Coleman fuel is unleaded gasoline of sorts... it's about 65-70 octane and mostly straight chain heptane which makes it volatile and potentially explosive as hell. Once upon a time as a teenager, I tried using it in lieu of charcoal fluid to start a campfire. It blew up in my face and not only singed my eyebrows and the hair off my arm, but launched all the pieces of firewood about 20 feet in the air and they came raining down on me. A valuable lesson was learned on that camping trip for certain! :yes:
 
Graueradler said:
The local shop used something called Varsol. Sprayed it onto the engine, then blew it off with an air nozzle. They sprayed it on with an air nozzle with a venturi pickup out of the Varsol container.
Click to expand...

Varsol, Mineral Spirits, and Stoddard Solvent are all the same thing. I keep a gallon of it in the metal cabinet in my hangar. I use it to clean bearings, wipe the oil off the airplane's belly, etc. It is a relatively mild solvent and won't hurt paint.

But if I was cleaning an engine, I'd get a pump up sprayer and load it with aviation Simple Green and water, spray the engine, scrub what I could reach, then rinse with water.
 
airdale said:
Cover the stain with Oil-Dry, slosh the 100LL onto the oil dry to saturate it, then brush it back and forth on the oil stain for a while. Shovel up and toss the Oil-Dry.
Click to expand...

What does Oil-Dry have in it that kitty litter does not...or vice versa?

Jim
 
Stories abound about people using gasoline to clean stuff, vapor collection, and ignition sources. Water heater pilot lights in garages work really well.

Gasoline vapors are 4 1/2 times heavier than air, and they can reach explosive concentrations without a person being aware of it.

I generally use mineral spirits, and only in well ventilated areas. I would never use gasoline to clean parts...but people do what they wish.
 
Can't speak to cleaning the engine or engine parts, but Coleman fuel does a great job cleaning gunk, tape residue, etc., off of Plexiglas without harming it or leaving a residue.
 
I've been out of pocket since I posted this yesterday and just had a chance to read the responses. I guess I could have just googled it...wiki confirms what was stated here, that white gas is nothing more than unleaded gas albeit lower octane.

I would never use gasoline as a cleaning solution, far too hazardous (in a Russian Roulette way) for my taste, thus I won't be using white gas either. Solvent, aviation simple green or some other some such sounds like the plan.

I've had a leak in my o470 that I've spent countless time and $$ chasing. It's but a small leak, just enough to p*ss me off. I found out about this recently (which is used along with this) and thought I'd give it a shot. I plan to run the test using the dye and then change the oil immediately following to flush it out.

N801BH said:
ps.... god help the red board....:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Actually Ben, Tom serves a very important function and the red board is blessed to have him. Every time I found myself agreeing with anything he said I knew it was time to really rethink my position.

weirdjim said:
I rarely challenge Tom as I have never found him off the mark.
Click to expand...

That's about as far from my experience as it gets.
 
Most just use gasoline, but naptha is the often used by pro cleaning stations, (Coleman fuel and naptha are very similar).
 
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