How to Remove Gasket Residue

[tntwalker]

I've recently removed both Exhaust Covers on my Rude... I think the gaskets were original as they ain't comin' off worth a darn.<br /><br />Please post what solvents or tricks can be used to strip off old gaskets and residue... <br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Hooty]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

Permatex makes a gasket remover that works pretty good. NAPA handles it. If the gasket residue is thick, it may take a couple of applications.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

BMC (OMC) makes a gel seal and gasket remover that also works well.Be careful though.While my hands can't feel it,just one speck on my upper arms really stings.Protection is needed.<br />DHP

 

[jim dozier]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

My guess is that you will have to use a gasket scraper to remove it. See if you can soften it up first with the solvents mentioned above and use utmost care not to damage (scratch) the mating surfaces. Now you know why paying someone to fix your outboard costs so much.

 

[VistaMan]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

If you have to scrape it make a scraper by hammering a piece of 1/2" copper pipe flat. It is softer than the aluminum so you won't damage the surface.

 

[tntwalker]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

Thanks all... I'm going to get started on this tomorrow evening...

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

I know some are going to cringe at this, but I don't like the usuall gasket scrapers. I use a 1/2 inch wood chisel as sharp as I can get it. It's a dull tool that does the gouging. I use the OMC gasket remover to soften, Then the keen edge chisel can get underneath, and cut the gasket instead of trying to plow it off like a scraper. For me a sharp tool gives me a lot more feel of what I'm doing. As was mentioned, use eye protection with these gasket removers, they are some nasty stuff.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

R.Johnson....I thought the wood chisel was my innovation! ! Works great ! !<br />DHP

 

[Walker]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

I use a wood chisel too. If you keep it flat it won,t cut the aluminum. Then I hit the mating surface with a nylon fiber disc on my air grinder.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

I use a sharp wood chisel also. I was afraid to recommend it because in the hands of a crazy person you can chew up a mating surface. I just keep it flat on the surface at a low angle and it works great.

 

[tntwalker]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

Been busy lately with Honey-Do's and still haven't gotten to this yet... one more question... Since Carb cleaner is so good at cleaning carbs, can it be used to soak both of my exhaust covers to eat the old gasket? I'm not planning on submerging the whole cover, just enough of it so that the gasket is fully submerged....<br /><br />Does this sound like a looney idea? Or will in perhaps work? Will I risk damaging anything by doing so? <br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Duck Loads]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

Oven cleaner. About the nastiest stuff there is. It will also turn the carbon on your exhaust cover to liquid.<br /><br />Be safe,<br /><br />c.h.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

TNTwalker - My only thought is it would probably be hard on whatever paint was on your exhaust cover. That is if it is painted.<br /><br />I've thought about using oven cleaner in the past for cleaning carbon, but I've always shyed away from it since they all caution using it on aluminum pots, etc. It works good does it?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

Careful with oven cleaner on mating surfaces, most oven cleaners are lye (sodium hydroxide) which will eat aluminum. Short periods probably wont hurt, and it is an effective degreaser, just don't leave it on overnite.

 

[tntwalker]

Re: How to Remove Gasket Residue

Quick recap.... Outer cover soaked in carburetor cleaner overnight... then scraped with chisel... Came clean quite easily... <br /><br />inner cover sprayed with oven cleaner and tried to scrape with chisel... Not as easy at all... so am now soaking inner cover in carb cleaner...<br /><br />Residue left on block another story altogether... Can't spray either agent on that as it could possibly land in the cylinders... so I've dabbed "Goof Off" and letting soak... I use this stuff all the time to remove adhesive, so I can't see why it wouldn't work for gasket materials... <br /><br />so anyways... Thanks for the ideas! The chisel works great!!!!!