Non Golf related - Cleaning cylinder block mating face

[spikenipple]

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

[spikenipple]

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

[rallye_golf]

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!

[spikenipple]

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.

[thai-wronghorse]

Vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle attachment?

[notenoughtime]

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

[spikenipple]

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

[VW BUSH]

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

[spikenipple]

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:

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...

[rallye_golf]

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

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