Retroanaconda Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Puzzled by this one. The surface of the journal on the back of my 200Tdi’s crankshaft has some kind of substance on it, aft of where the seal runs. It’s fairly hard - I managed to scrap a few high points (almost like paint drips) off with my fingernail but the rest of it won’t budge. I am really not keen to use any kind of metal scraper on this sealing surface lest I damage it. I’ve noticed there’s more of what looks like the same stuff inside the flywheel housing. Any thoughts on what it could be and how I can get it off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Could be a anti corrosion varnish to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 It would seem after further research that it’s residue from oil that’s built up over time. Some oven cleaner has had a small impact on it, so that may be an option to remove it - with a lot of effort. Is it safe to use a brass wire brush on the crankshaft surface? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Think a brass wire brush or brass wire wool would be ok as it's a far softer metal than hardened steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 4 hours ago, Retroanaconda said: It would seem after further research that it’s residue from oil that’s built up over time. Some oven cleaner has had a small impact on it, so that may be an option to remove it - with a lot of effort. Is it safe to use a brass wire brush on the crankshaft surface? Have you tried the foamy oven cleaner in a can stuff. I think its a Mr Muscle one. Worked wonders on a properly properly baked in oven I cleaned up. Thinking stuff I could barely scratch came up like new after a couple of applications. It's a spray on and leave for ~30mins type one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 It's just sodium hydroxide, I believe, nasty, nasty stuff that makes my lungs burn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Just now, Bowie69 said: It's just sodium hydroxide, I believe, nasty, nasty stuff that makes my lungs burn! It was most definitely a windows open job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) 23 minutes ago, Bowie69 said: It's just sodium hydroxide, I believe, nasty, nasty stuff that makes my lungs burn! Yes it is and I share your sentiments about it. I always warn against this stuff, dangers of it can't be overstated as it is seemingly such a common household item packaged in a familiar brand with the adverts we've all seen on TV. Recently we've read cautionary tales on this forum from those who have required medical intervention because of incidents whilst working on their vehicles (luckily are still here to tell the tale). I'm not particularly squeamish but I don't cope well with hearing about eye injuries! If anyone does insist on using things containing sodium hydroxide, for God's sake please wear proper eye protection, thick gloves and keep anything containing sodium hydroxide off aluminium parts. Coming back to the OP's question (rant over), would very careful use of a fine grade sand paper shift it? Edited June 21, 2021 by monkie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted June 21, 2021 Author Share Posted June 21, 2021 It was the foamy stuff I was trying yes. I’ll mask up the back of the engine properly to keep it off everything else and then give it a proper dose to see what happens. I’m not particularly keen to use any kind of abrasive on the sealing surface if I can avoid it. I know in theory a very fine wet and dry could be used with some oil to polish it but that comes with a risk of ballsing it up, so if I can avoid that I will! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Find something hard to scrape but something not as hard as the crank - get a 2p or 1p coin to move the heavy stuff then I'd just dress it with some very fine wet and dry. (for the smart arse's - yes new coins have a core made of steel, but they have a relatively thick bit of copper thats wrapped around it which will be fine for what I suggest). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 On 6/20/2021 at 7:39 PM, western said: Think a brass wire brush or brass wire wool would be ok as it's a far softer metal than hardened steel. The crank shafts are cast iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 oh yeah of course it is, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 If it's a hydrocarbon oil residue have you tried any readily available solvents, eg methanol, IPA, acetone, xylene, or even diesel? You might find that any of these is your friend. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 Or a GENTLE warm might soften it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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