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Looking to Talk to the Pastor of the "Church of Clean"

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by KJJohnson447, Jul 13, 2013.

  1. KJJohnson447

    KJJohnson447 New Member

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    Upon removing the valve cover and getting up close and personal with the head, I can see how leaky the old valve cover gasket was. Now there is a thick layer of dino juice and dirt all over the head surround the plug.

    Has anyone had experience in cleaning in here. Its a tight fit, and the fins are hard to clean around. Is there any "spray on/rinse off" cleaners that would work for this application?

    Also, It appears in the wells were the 2 and 3 plugs are it looks like there are [drainage?] holes in the bottom. I'm hoping to get this bike looking "Bigfitz clean", but it's got a ways to go.
     

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    KJJohnson447, Jul 13, 2013
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  2. adrian1

    adrian1 Active Member

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    adrian1, Jul 13, 2013
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  3. BruceB

    BruceB Active Member

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    BruceB, Jul 13, 2013
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  4. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Thanks for the compliment.

    I use a citris-based foaming aerosol engine cleaner from the auto parts, like Gunk engine-brite or similar. There are variations in this type of product, read the can carefully.

    Be sure it says it's for use on COLD engines; work in with a stiff brush and then be sure to get it 100% rinsed off.

    Once degreased, I like to use a household kitchen cleanser such as Ajax or Comet "liquid" on the rough cast parts. Again work in with a stiff brush and be sure to rinse thoroughly.

    NO high pressure (such as a coin-op car wash.) Just lots of low-pressure water from a garden hose.

    Use compressed air to drive water out of the nooks and crannies. Just be careful not to blow the little rubber blocks out and lose them. You can take those out for the cleaning process and then re-wedge when you're done.

    And yes, those "holes" in the bottom of the spark plug galleries do indeed act as drains, they come out between the fins at the front of the head. Their presence and location is why many a valve cover leak in that area is mis-diagnosed as a head gasket leak when the leaked oil runs out those passages to the front.
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 13, 2013
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