1956DeS - 2010-01-16 2:27 PM

To remove rust stains in a sink, put ketchup on them. What's in ketchup? Vinegar. Will vinegar harm steel? Probably eventually.

I use Liquid Wrench at work a lot and have found it to be a good (effective) product, superior to PB Blaster.

Liquid chlorine bleach will eat up aluminum (pistons, for instance). Downside is it releases poisonous chlorine gas in the process. Not sure if it harms steel (cylinder walls), but it could be determined easily via testing.

A 50% sodium hydroxide solution, while pretty dangerous stuff, will dissolve aluminum while releasing hydrogen gas (explosive). I know it won't harm steel because it is used in boilers. Ammonia will affect aluminum.

I have soaked parts in diesel fuel (flammable) to loosen rust. Works very slowly. It's basically a thin oil product.

Brake fluid will corrode aluminum but won't harm steel (brake lines).

Hydrochloric acid. Attacks aluminum but also maybe steel. Not sure.

Lemon juice is about 5% citric acid. Uses unknown to me.

Here's a good link...
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Freeing_a_stuck_engine#Brea...

Seen somewhere: "If a engine will turn or move just a little i use a 50/50 mixture of diesel and ATF. For one that is stuck solid i use brake fluid. You could also put the block in a electrolysis tank."

d500neil - 2010-01-19 6:05 PM

Greg, what is your mixture ratio of vinegar-to-"Glass Plus"--assuming an almost full quart bottle of the stuff?

phins - 2010-01-19 9:35 PM

so the pistons will come out easier with the windows clean with vinegar ???