Siena:
I never wash engine or transmission parts with gasoline.

Whilst gasoline is NOT abrasive, it is a solvent, that removes any protective film of oil from components. This can cause components that operate with very tight tolerances to stick in their operating environment - solenoids in transmission valve bodies, piston rings in piston ringlands, camshaft and crankshaft journals in their bearings etc.

I use good old diesel, it cleans components, and also leaves a protective film of oil, kerosine or paraffin are also ideal. Gasoline breaks down oil, and is NOT advised within the automotive industry.

adeaks:
I have not been this clueless on a Nairaland thread in a very long time.

I just dey read but I can hardly understand werin I dey read

nyben4eva:
There are some rubber seals in some parts that tends to expand when they have contact with petrol,that's why it's advisable to wash with kerosene or ATF because they are less volatile.

nyben4eva:
There are some rubber seals in some parts that tends to expand when they have contact with petrol,that's why it's advisable to wash with kerosene or ATF because they are less volatile.

mildteddy:


In addition to its volatility, petrol has harmful effects to the environment. I believe that this reason is the major factor why people are advised not to use it. Countries with strict environmental laws due not permit their use.
It's evaporates fast releasing its CxHy content to the environment; one of the major environmental pollutants.
This is why Engine designers try as much as possible to reduce the amount of hydrocarbon, as well as other toxic gases emission from their engines to the atmosphere. Washing the parts with that same hydrocarbon defeats the aim.

ewizard1:
Thanks to all contributors.

I learnt few things. I have been around Auto Mechanics since i was little and i see ALL of them use PMS in cleaning ANY greasy/oil part needed to be cleaned.

But i personally know petrol is harsh and would render rubber parts weak.

So in my opinion, Petrol for parts without rubber. And Kerosene or Diesel for Rubberized Parts.

sexaddict08:
please, someone should help me out.
there's no light so I tried to charge my phone
with my uncle's van L200.
I plugged the phone around 5am, slept off
until 8am. I now met the phone at 71% from
0%. when I met it, it was no longer charging.
now, power in the car seems to be off. weak...
glasses ain't whinni

mayor2013:

Check your car battery could be down

sexaddict08:


yes, what do I need to do for it to gain energy again?

Kashif:
In training, we are told not to use petrol to wash internal mechanical parts - engine, transmission, general drive train. It is advised that kerosene is used instead. In transmission repair, we are told that only ATF, kerosene, or a blend of both can only be used in washing transmission parts. It is good to play by the rules and follow general practice but, in this particular case, is it not overrated?

I have seen mechanics wash parts with petrol without any consequence. I have done so too, and tend to like the effect more, especially when washing metal-only parts. Some say petrol is more abrasive than kerosene; agreed, but will it matter? Will you wash an injector with kerosene?

I am a selective conformer, and will obey strictly, those principles I understand. I have come to question some rules, and this is one of them. I have an open mind towards this, and will like to entertain logical propositions.

Over to the techies with hands-on experience.

mayor2013:

Charge it or better still get another car battery

Siena:
I never wash engine or transmission parts with gasoline.

Whilst gasoline is NOT abrasive, it is a solvent, that removes any protective film of oil from components. This can cause components that operate with very tight tolerances to stick in their operating environment - solenoids in transmission valve bodies, piston rings in piston ringlands, camshaft and crankshaft journals in their bearings etc.

I use good old diesel, it cleans components, and also leaves a protective film of oil, kerosine or paraffin are also ideal. Gasoline breaks down oil, and is NOT advised within the automotive industry.

mayor2013:
Basically the use of either of the mentioned products( petrol or kerosene) by the "op" should be dependent on the part or the component to be washed.

@ sienna would you use old diesel to wash excess of grease that finds its way out of drive shaft housing as a result of a torn shaft protector splashing all over chassis, oil drop pan, belly housing etc. Diesel is sticky so therefore if in a situation where its used to wash out excess of grease in this case, don't you think the sticky nature would attract lot of sand when the car is being driven therefore making the bottom of the car more messy and uncomfortable for any technician to work on?