Where I sled: Lanterns, Marble Hill, Tug Hill, Old Forge
Posts: 88
A friend of mine recently purchased the exact duplicate of my sled, a 97 MXZ440LC. The sled runs good, but under the cowl the motor looks bad. The head doesn't have the nice powder coat, but that is acceptable. However the motor looks terrible because I guess this guy must have trailered it around with no cover or salt shield. The motor is all powdery white and crappy looking. Does anybody know what the best thing to clean this up would be?
Where I sled: Southwest Ontario - Northern Ont. D5 & D15
Posts: 130
I took my sled in to be rebuilt last spring, the mechanic polished my engine with 'never dull'. I'm sure it was alot of work but the thing looks like brand new.
I have almost a compulsive cleaning disorder on all my sleds.
What works really good on those rotax is a soft wire brush (about a dollar)
And a can of "Gunk" engine degreaser.
Pull off the carbs and clean them individually when you do your pre-season carb inspection. Spray on the Gunk and let it sit. After a few seconds rag off all the oil and crap from every little crevice.
Rag off all the hoses and use degreaser on them. After re-installing them make sure the fittings don't leak.
Wire brush is great on the exhaust side of the engine. It also makes the salt stains come right off.
Wire brush and sand the exhaust down and paint with a black exhaust paint.
Spray engine degreaser in the cowl and rag out all the grime and belt dust.
Spray and rag down the heat shielding
Discard old rusted clips and stuff - just buy new.
Your engine bay should always be clean. Nothing is better looking than a clean engine with nice brass fittings and painted pipes. It all manual labor.
Location: Fredericton (freddy) New Brunswick Canada
Primary Sled: 2004 f6 efi
Where I sled: New Brunswick
Posts: 4,733
i am not sure about the salt but Castrol Super Clean works real well on grease and stuff like that. just spray it on let it site for a few seconds and spray it off. dont leave it on for very long though it can eat through certian painted surfaces so i hear. It may take u a few tries to get it all off, but it will look real good after a few tries.
Where I sled: Lanterns, Marble Hill, Tug Hill, Old Forge
Posts: 88
I appreciate all of your input guys. I sure know what elbow grease is, I can produce alot of it. I will have to show my friend what having a sled is all about (as far as cleaning, maintinence, oh ya and riding of course!).
