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General => The garage => Topic started by: spikenipple on 24 January 2014, 17:53

Title: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: spikenipple on 24 January 2014, 17:53

Hi all,

I have an E46 318i SE which had a blown headgasket and warped head, i've skimmed the head so it's lovely and clean but the black gasket stuff is still on the mating face of the cylinder block. What's the best way to clean it off, being mindful that the oil and coolant ports are exposed to debris and I don't want to damage the surface?

Any help would be much appreciated :)

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: spikenipple on 24 January 2014, 17:59

Just for reference this is the stuff I mean. I forgot to take a picture of the block before I covered it up.

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/Spikenipple/IMG_1372_zps3ca2c5be.jpg) (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/Spikenipple/media/IMG_1372_zps3ca2c5be.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: rallye_golf on 24 January 2014, 19:25

I use a sharp scraper to get all the bits off, then use a flat sanding block and wet n dry paper lubed up with plenty o wd40 type stuff.
Then a good spray/wipe off with some brake n clutch cleaner, jobs a goodun!

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: spikenipple on 24 January 2014, 19:34

Thanks for your reply :)

What about cleaning out all of the crap that inevitably goes into the oil/coolant ways? I'm just a bit worried about foreign objects getting into the bottom end.

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 24 January 2014, 20:00

Vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle attachment?

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: notenoughtime on 24 January 2014, 20:06

I use a flat stone (type for sharpening chisels etc) with lots of wd40 and put paper in the holes in the block to stop debris getting in

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: spikenipple on 24 January 2014, 20:40

Ok cheers chaps, I'll give it a go tomorrow  :nerd:

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: VW BUSH on 24 January 2014, 23:21

Have you got a scraper for scraping castings, saving that a surface ground file.
Keep it flat and use the square edge to gently remove the clag

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: spikenipple on 25 January 2014, 13:00

Right. I used a scraper which I sharpened and some 1000 grit wet and dry with plenty of wd40. It came up a treat so thanks for that. The bad news however is that i found this: (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/Spikenipple/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2ed95af2.jpg) (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/Spikenipple/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2ed95af2.jpg.html)

Funnily enough this is on cylinder 1, which isn't one of the cylinders that was leaking.
 Reckon it'll be ok to go ahead and stick the new gasket on anyway? I really can't be arsed to take the block off and skim that too...

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: rallye_golf on 25 January 2014, 14:44

Not ideal tbh, as its across the sealing ring around the cylinder.  :sad:

It should be ok, I guess you will just have to risk it?

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: gazareth on 25 January 2014, 15:00

a speck of araldite??? maybe.

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: spikenipple on 25 January 2014, 15:37

I cleaned it up as best as I could and it's on now. There's only so much sanding I can take!

Fingers crossed it lasts :)

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/Spikenipple/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps66fb6a05.jpg) (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/Spikenipple/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps66fb6a05.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: gazareth on 25 January 2014, 23:26

Quote from: spikenipple on 25 January 2014, 15:37

I cleaned it up as best as I could and it's on now. There's only so much sanding I can take!

Fingers crossed it lasts :)

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/Spikenipple/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps66fb6a05.jpg) (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/Spikenipple/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps66fb6a05.jpg.html)

until you sell it you mean :laugh:

Title: Re: Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face
Post by: spikenipple on 26 January 2014, 15:03

Well I'm really not sure what I'm going to do with it really! I think I'll probably insure it and drive it for a while just to make sure it's up to scratch (again, fingers crossed this holds....), then possibly sell it and my Golf too to buy a GT TDI or something.