What Degreaser for Cleaning Up an Engine and Carbs??

With alkaline cleaners (Simple Green, Purple Power, Super Clean, etc...) bad for aluminum, what is a good parts washing solution for cleaning aluminum? I am getting one of those parts cleaners that sit on top of a 5 gallon bucket. Seems most of the degreasers I have found are alkaline and not good for aluminum. So what are people using? Thanks!!

Mineral spirits is a great degreaser.  After use, the sludge will settle down to the bottom of the container, and you can siphon off the clear fluid on top for reuse.  Almost limitless recycling.  Realize though, degreasers like this won't clean the inside of the carbs.  You need to break them down and use carb dip for that.  Some people use an ultrasonic, but in my experience, there is a big difference between a commercial ultrasonic and the cheap china units that barely work.

Edit: Simple Green makes lots of different formulas, some of which won't hurt aluminum.  The Aircraft formula is great.  And I also use the Pro formula, which is purple.  These don't clean like mineral spirits, though.  

P1020763 by nessism , on Flickr

I've never used cleaners on engines or carbs.  I dismantle and vapour blast them.  They need to be thoroughly washed with clean water afterwards to clean all traces of the vapour.  Then blow dry.

hardrockminer wrote:

I've never used cleaners on engines or carbs.  I dismantle and vapour blast them.  They need to be thoroughly washed with clean water afterwards to clean all traces of the vapour.  Then blow dry.

I wish I had access to vapor blasting. I had no plans of removing and dismantling the engine at this time, but just trying to clean it up and get it running so I can ride it a bit for now. A full restoration might be done later on.

You indicate you're looking for solvent in a tank mounted device.

We've been happy with the Crown PSC 1000 Parts Cleaner solvent available at Tractor Supply.
www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/crown-...-parts-cleaner-5-gal ?

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE