I spoke with a fab shop today about taking my aftercooler apart and cleaning the core. They suggested leaving the aftercooler in tact and cleaning it with an ultrasonic cleaning process. It seems that is how they clean cores with issues like mine and they say it is very effective at getting the most embedded pieces of metal out of the part.

Has anybody else here ever tried this type of cleaning process. It seems logical to me.

Had a buddy use his moms new ultrasonic for jewelry to clean out his carb jets... worked awesome, mom was pissed :eek:

I've cleaned injectors with one before.

These are industrial sized machines that they use to clean products that have to be spotless. I saw some pictures of the work and was pretty impressed.

Hospitals also use them to clean medical instruments. I have a small one I use for injectors, and other small parts. I'd use a bigger one if I had access to one.

My dad's shop uses one for cleaning oil coolers on Porsches (when bits of engine gets into the oiling system). It's the only way to really know that it's clean. They ship them to Pacific Oil Cooler in California. Good luck!
-Ted

my machine guy cleans just about anything and everything with it lol heads,blocks,pans,manifolds. Makes it look brand new.

Aircraft parts are cleaned with them

give it a shot

We use them for high vacuum parts. Machined parts are usually coated w/ oil and such, this helps break most of it off.

I've had all my engine parts ultrasonic cleaned. It's the only way my local (high end) machine shop does things.

I've used ultrasonic cleaing for removing debris in socket head cap screws after the hex was broached into the head. The screws were used in a sealed optical system for a laser guided missile.

In other words, ultrasonic cleaning did a damn fine job of removing small pieces of metal in hard to reach places. :D

What kind of solvent should be used in them to clean car parts? I have a small one my dad use to use for gems, jewelry, and small mechanical parts. Not sure if the same chemical should be used.

I just talked to Pacific Oil Cooler that is where the parts are going. I am thinking of sending the oil cooler as well.

What kind of solvent should be used in them to clean car parts? I have a small one my dad use to use for gems, jewelry, and small mechanical parts. Not sure if the same chemical should be used.

Acetone. I use one at work to clean rotorcraft components before inspection. When the solvent discolors after a few minutes I replace with new acetone and repeat.

Acetone. I use one at work to clean rotorcraft components before inspection. When the solvent discolors after a few minutes I replace with new acetone and repeat.


Thanks :)

I'll try to pick up some later today. Is acetone safe on delicate electronic parts like sensors?

What kind of solvent should be used in them to clean car parts? I have a small one my dad use to use for gems, jewelry, and small mechanical parts. Not sure if the same chemical should be used.

Many manufacturers recommend detergents for use in ultrasonic cleaners. You can do a search using your favorite search engine and you'll see.

Ultrasonic cleaning is accomplished by making small bubbles on the target's surface and then when they implode, "cavitation effect" is what actually cleans the item. Therefore a "soap" based cleaner is usually best since it enhances the caviation effect and suspends particles.

I recommend you preclean with a heavy duty cleaner(like an acetone, mineral spirits, etc). Then finish the process with ultrasonic.

I also wouldn't use any solvent-based cleaners on electronic parts. DON'T put them in an ultrasonic bath either. Should clean up using soap and water. Maybe shot of electrical parts cleaner and a quick wipe.

Don