Power Steering Pump/Parts Washer : Educate me please

[ForcedTorque]

I have a couple of questions.

First, I was just given a parts washer. What type of solvent do I want to use in it?

The first part I need to clean is my Power Steering Pump. Is there anything I need to not let the solvent get into? How would I block it from getting into the vacuum nipples, or inside the pump through the hole for the hose?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[bluepearl]

Mineral spirits You can wash almost anything without damage.

 

[jdub]

Kerosene or diesel fuel...there are also specific solvents for parts washers. Diesel works very well.

Remove the vac valve. Solvent inside the pump is not going to be a problem, but I would pour some ATF inside the hole and turn the pump a few times to flush it.

 

[dumbo]

Varosol

 

[ForcedTorque]

I would pour some ATF inside the hole and turn the pump a few times to flush it.

I got .8 qts of Redline I don't need!

Varosol

What is that?

 

[dumbo]

What is that?

It's like a petroloeum based cleaner/degreaser/solvent. I think Varsol is actually a name brand not 100% sure, it's whats in all are parts washers at work.

 

[ForcedTorque]

Thanks for the help guys

 

[gaboonviper85]

Here at work we use "safety cleaner"...sold by "zurnoil"...it's a little less toxic and harder to absorb threw skin....

Kero and diesel leave alot of oil residues while safety clean dries really well...although I've noticed that it doesn't react well to some of the rubbers Toyota uses such as the rubber bonding in the stock shift stick...it melts the rubber and damn near turns it to a grease.

 

[IJ.]

Whatever you use make sure it doesn't have a low flashpoint as one spark will fuck your whole day (and face, hands and arms)

 

[Poodles]

yes, many things will specificly say NOT for use in them...

 

[jdub]

Whatever you use make sure it doesn't have a low flashpoint as one spark will fuck your whole day (and face, hands and arms)

Yep! Part of the reason I prefer diesel as a solvent.
Kerosene: 100-162 °F
Diesel: 126-204 °F

Either will leave an oily residue as stated earlier...I'll sit the part out in the AZ sun for a couple hours and it's not a problem.