diesel bath

[mixelpix]

i've been hearing about people filling their engines w/diesel for storage and/or cleaning. sounds like a effective and potentially simple procedure. coupla questions:
1) how much? I've heard to capacity or 5 gal. for xs1100's.
2) how long? Can/should it be stored like this & how long do you run the engine for? I've heard til warm. Is it dangerous to run it too long?
3) then what? Specifically, do you do with the leftover diesel? And to make sure it is all out before setting it upo again for riding.
Also, I assume the diesel available at the average gas station is what we're talking about?
Finally, any other prep work to do with the engine or rest of the bike?
THANKS!
-Patrick Kennedy

[strom]

Well.. what I did was....
take all the bits and pieces, threw em in tagged containers of diesel, let em soak for a while, cleaned real good with a degreaser, lubed where necessary and reassembled the engine.
I have heard of cleaning em that way, never for storage. Wouldn't do it tho. Here's why:
Diesel is waaaay too thin. No way it's gonna get everywhere it should, and it's gonna go everywhere it shouldn't. Even for storage... it's way too thin. Unless you wanna submerge the whole engine in a bath tub of diesel.
Next... how to get it out. Well.... drain it first. Put new oil in, turn over the engine by starter motor with the plugs out, till the oil light goes off. Then turn it over some more.
Oil+diesel out, new oil in, repeat the procedure. On the next change you could be pretty confident it's all out.
How I would do it:
Take out the engine. Disconnect the oil cooler, clean that seperatly. Take off the valvecover (gotta check the valve clearancies while you're at it), take off and clean the oil pan, inspect the engine thru the oil pan hole, turn it upside-down and then wash it with diesel.
Not sure why you would want to wash your engines internals... so... here's what I would really do if the engine is running and no funny noises. OK, unusual ones:
Change the oil filter, clean the housing so you could eat from it, take off the oil pan, clean that one too till it shines, inspect and clean the steel mesh of the oil pump, check the slack of the primary chain and put some nice dino juice in. If the oil pan was really dirty, use the cheapest, go for a ride, check the exhaust for oil consumption etc.... change again and you're all set.

LP

PS: If there are metal shavings in the goo from the oil pan, a further inspection would be nice.
I found sand (???) in mine. Dunno why. But the bike was in boxes for 6 years. How bout some history of this bike?

[mixelpix]

25K, PO was at least the second if not third owner. All he knew was that it had sat for five years before he got it. Runs well enough - not tricked out for any performance, but I figure since it's new to me I might as well give it a once twice three times over. I had heard that putting in diesel and running it till it's warm can help clear out any bits floating about or sludged up in the engine. I only just got the stripped oil filter bolt out and we'll see what I find when I take off the oil pan...

Also - I think only the European models came stock with oil coolers. Is that right?

Thanks!

-pdk

[wildbill]

Originally posted by mixelpix
25K, PO was at least the second if not third owner. All he knew was that it had sat for five years before he got it. Runs well enough - not tricked out for any performance, but I figure since it's new to me I might as well give it a once twice three times over. I had heard that putting in diesel and running it till it's warm can help clear out any bits floating about or sludged up in the engine. I only just got the stripped oil filter bolt out and we'll see what I find when I take off the oil pan...

Also - I think only the European models came stock with oil coolers. Is that right?

Thanks!

-pdk

I don`t know if this will help or not but before I put in a motor for my dirtbike the person who rebuilt it told me to fill the motor with Marvel Mystery Oil and let it set for a day or 2. Then drain and repeat the process.After the second time drain good and then and fill with oil.Ride until the motor is good and hot,then drain and refill and then your set.I would suggest that you replace the oil filter at least twice.Basically all it does is clean the motor out.I think you would be safe just don`t run it hard and till it gets hot.You are right on the second question. Hope this helps.

[mixelpix]

Originally posted by wildbill
...fill the motor with Marvel Mystery Oil and let it set for a day or 2...

Thanks for the tip.

interesting article on Marvel Mystery Oil

[Czekus21]

I don't know about filling an engine with diesel for long term storage, but for cleaning parts it's not to bad. I prefer to clean parts using a good solvent or aluminum cleaner and a tooth brush. For long term storage ( up to a year ) I would fill the tank with the highest grade, non-ethonal fuel and put in a dose of Sta-Bil, I would then use a good quality fogging oil, remove the air cleaner element, run the motor and give er a good shot. after you shut her down, pull the plugs and shoot another shot of fogging oil in the plug holes just for good measure. put the plugs back in and push her in the corner. Put the bike on the center stand and cover her up. For storage over a year, We start getting into tire pressures and wrapings, blocking, oil teatments, etc... Mine doen't sit long enough to do much more then the fuel traetment only. Good luck.