removing varnish buildup with rocker covers off

[schro]

I'm doing some work on my '95 Nissan Pathfinder

I've removed the rocker covers in preparation for doing the timing belt, and the varnish build-up is heavy.

Before draining the oil I used an engine flush, but it doesn't seem to have done much.
I have the front diff and carrier removed because I've also dropped the transmission, so I'm not concerned about any product running down through the oil channels, since the oil pan is accessible to be removed. My only concern is that the product is safe for the valve stem seals, oil seals etc.

I tried using the engine flush full strength applied with a brush to the rockers to little avail. Likewise varsol applied with a brush didn't work very well either. Both methods removed small amounts of the varnish, but this method would be very time consuming and tedious, and the only way that i could effectively clean the parts with these products appears to be complete disassembly... which I'm not prepared to do.

Can anyone suggest a practical solution to remove the varnish with the parts still in the vehicle?

BTW. I also plan to open and inspect the oil pump, and clean the pan.

Do I even need to worry about this?

 

[190E26FTW]

I used a brass brush. It was only able to get some of the softer varnish off. Use the brush and some Marvel Mystery oil. Wear eye protection.

Varnish isnt something to really worry about. Own your car long enough and you will get some. Unless of course your car has been born with synthetic oil since day 1 of its life. Just start running a synthetic oil with lots of cleaning properties like Red Line Oil, Mobil 1, or Pennzoil Platinum.

 

[bluestream]

It does no harm, leave it there

 

[CourierDriver]

amen

 

[Trav]

Picture?

 

[Virtuoso]

Sludge? Clean it out.

Varnish? Forget about it.

 

[mechtech2]

Worry about this?

NO.

Maybe sludge, but not varnish

 

[Donald]

Do an Auto-Rx cleaning once you have it back together.

 

[schro]

Thanks everyone for your help.
I'll give area a rinse with solvent/parts cleaner to remove the excess oil so that I can see if there is any sludge, and will do a thorough cleaning of the oil pan when i remove it.

I will be replacing my cam and crankshaft oil seals so now would probably be the best time to switch to synthetic if ever.

 

[ltslimjim]

Go for it, if you use solvents, use it to loosen things up, but try to remove by hand/with vacuum, rinse with fresh oil thoroughly.

 

[190E26FTW]

Just for the record. Auto RX did not remove the varnish on my rockers arms in my Mercedes inline 6. I used it twice. The brass brush and MMO did more for me than that over priced Auto Rx can ever do.

 

[ponderosaTX]

Kreen might be worth a try. Trav has posted some impressive results from Kreen treatements.

See https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/2209503/

 

[CourierDriver]

Originally Posted By: 190E26FTW
Just for the record. Auto RX did not remove the varnish on my rockers arms in my Mercedes inline 6. I used it twice. The brass brush and MMO did more for me than that over priced Auto Rx can ever do.


Well amen for an MMO user. I use MMO also, tried to tell these young dudes to use MMO, but folks like to spend a fortune on stuff, like if its not 25 bucks for 12 oz of something they wont buy it, but Im perfect and have never done that,,lmao,no not me, rite...........

 

[demarpaint]

I'd be careful with wire brushes, soft brass or not. Hand clean as much as you can with shop rags and a good parts cleaner. Stay away from things like valve seals. Put the engine back together, dump the oil. Add your favorite conventional oil and give Kreen or MMO a try. Use both products at the full suggested dose. If you use MMO I'd do two short 3000-4000 mile OCI's.

In some cases people confuse staining of metal surfaces with varnish. A very light coating of either is not going to harm an engine.

 

[ltslimjim]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'd be careful with wire brushes, soft brass or not. Hand clean as much as you can with shop rags and a good parts cleaner. Stay away from things like valve seals. Put the engine back together, dump the oil. Add your favorite conventional oil and give Kreen or MMO a try. Use both products at the full suggested dose. If you use MMO I'd do two short 3000-4000 mile OCI's.

In some cases people confuse staining of metal surfaces with varnish. A very light coating of either is not going to harm an engine.

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'd be careful with wire brushes, soft brass or not. Hand clean as much as you can with shop rags and a good parts cleaner. Stay away from things like valve seals. Put the engine back together, dump the oil. Add your favorite conventional oil and give Kreen or MMO a try. Use both products at the full suggested dose. If you use MMO I'd do two short 3000-4000 mile OCI's.

In some cases people confuse staining of metal surfaces with varnish. A very light coating of either is not going to harm an engine.


+2!

 

[CourierDriver]

u boys need a life, varnish , smarnish,,remindsme of little ole ladys dusting their funiture,,live a little, take that bucket of bolts and rubber out on the interstate and run her upto 120 mph and clean out that darn varnish and see whats smoking when u get back. aaaaamen,,,of course all of this is in MHO.