any chemists here?

-
R

redfastback

Don't ask me... my garage is empty
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
3,604
Reaction score
25
Location
california
What happens when paint gets on internal engine parts? Does it come off and clog the oiling system? Or does it just get caught into the filter and it's as simple as changing the filter?

I myself HIGHLY doubt it can clog an engine, but I do need some good answers.
 
I'm no chemist but I'll give it a stab.

I'll say that it depends on the size of the paint particles. Overspray would probably just get caught by the filter and the oil would hold it in suspension. A poor lifter valley piant job that comes off in big flakes could clog oil passages or the oil pump pickup. Might even damage the oil pump rotors.

I hope this helps.
 
ramcharger said:
I'm no chemist but I'll give it a stab.

I'll say that it depends on the size of the paint particles. Overspray would probably just get caught by the filter and the oil would hold it in suspension. A poor lifter valley piant job that comes off in big flakes could clog oil passages or the oil pump pickup. Might even damage the oil pump rotors.

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I am thinking that the oil holds it in suspension. I am trying to find out if it can clog the pickup screen and how much would it take.
 
I’m an analytical chemist, but I’m not sure I have much more to offer than what Ramcharger said (not my field of expertise, I mainly work with cancer drugs).

It depends on the type of paint, but more than likely the paint won’t dissolve in the oil too much…which means its going to get caught in the filter. Like Ramcharger said, if you have big flakes that could be a problem depending on the size of the screen on the oil pump pickup… the big chunks could clog the pickup screen. How is the oil pressure?
 
The oil pressure is fine. There was a decent amount of overspray on the valvetrain, and a certain someone is stating that it will clog his oiling system. All my machinists and many fellow mechanics state that it will take ALOT of paint to MAYBE clog the pickup screen. Nothing has gone wrong with his "tired" engine. He is basing his case solely on "assumption". I have never seen the car since it left, just pictures.
 
I was woried about mine. I painted the windedge tray with that red insulation paint. I think its the same thing some people put in their lifter valies. anyway after calling myself an idiot a couple hundred times i couldnt take it any more. I puled the pan off to inspect it and every thing was fine.
 
I have repeatedly asked this person to return the car( I even offered to pay for a tow) to inspect the car with him present. He has refused. I think it just needs the filter changed at best.

I am still wondering what TRULY happens to paint in oil. Coming off in "sheets" to me is just not realistic.
 
redfastback said:
...I am still wondering what TRULY happens to paint in oil. Coming off in "sheets" to me is just not realistic.
Click to expand...


Again, not an expert, but if the metal prep is good (squeaky clean), and the paint is made to be in constant contact with petroleum products (like the lifter valley stuff), I’d say your fine.
 
fishy68 said:
The prep would have to be bad to come off in sheets. Sounds like he's just trying to get one over on you Steve.
Click to expand...

It was just a good amount of overspray on the valvetrain. I didn't catch it before my employee buttoned up the valve cover. It was a reseal/paint job on a TIRED motor. There must have been 1/4" of gunk on his intake valves and about 1 1/4" inch of slack in the timing chain.
 
redfastback said:
It was just a good amount of overspray on the valvetrain. I didn't catch it before my employee buttoned up the valve cover. It was a reseal/paint job on a TIRED motor. There must have been 1/4" of gunk on his intake valves and about 1 1/4" inch of slack in the timing chain.
Click to expand...

So he's trying to say the overspray is what clogged the pickup. Heck that worn out timing chain is probably what did it. It probably had a nylon top gear and the nylon came off and clogged the pickup. I've seen that happen on almost all old engines that used a nylon gear.

I ran into a similar situation when I worked for Hyster forklifts. Resealed a old worn out engine cause the owner was too cheap to rebuild it. A few months later it blew up and of course it was my fault since I was the last guy that worked on it. I ran into alot of people like that and from then on I started writing on the work order that the engine was worn out and really needed rebuilt but the customer only wanted it resealed. That way they had no argument with me.
 
If you can get an oil sample, you could send it out for analysis.
 
fishy68 said:
So he's trying to say the overspray is what clogged the pickup. Heck that worn out timing chain is probably what did it. It probably had a nylon top gear and the nylon came off and clogged the pickup. I've seen that happen on almost all old engines that used a nylon gear.

I ran into a similar situation when I worked for Hyster forklifts. Resealed a old worn out engine cause the owner was too cheap to rebuild it. A few months later it blew up and of course it was my fault since I was the last guy that worked on it. I ran into alot of people like that and from then on I started writing on the work order that the engine was worn out and really needed rebuilt but the customer only wanted it resealed. That way they had no argument with me.
Click to expand...

The engine runs fine. He just removed the valve cover and saw the paint and freaked out. He is "assuming" that it will all come off in "chunks" and clog his pickup screen. I offered 3 or more times to inspect it for his peace of mind, but he refused. He also took pics and talked to other mechanics about it before I was ever informed.
I think he is upset that he got a nice looking motor that needs a rebuild.:bootysha:
 
If it's overspray, it won't clog the screen, and will get caught in the filter. If it was really thick, it would come off in big sheets. If so, it would stay in the valley.
 
It will flake off in use. Big flakes will end up int eh valley area or the pan, smaller flakes will get thru the oil pickup and caught by the filter. Paint is not abrasive so I dont think you need to worry about anything other than some strange visuals if there was really a ton of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top