Cleaning oil pan -- how?

[dsarchs]

Hello everyone -- first post.  I got an '88 K75s last fall (first bike) and yesterday when I was changing the oil/filter one of the cover plate bolts (m6x20mm) snapped just past finger tight.  I don't have enough room to drill it out from under the bike so my plan is to remove the oil pan, pull and replace the bolt, then reinstall.

I watched Chris Harris' video on replacing the oil pan (seems straight forward) but in passing he says to clean both surfaces really well but not how or with what.  Would brake cleaner work (since it evaporates) or what's the best product?

Willing to listen and learn.

[Laitch]

I was changing the oil/filter one of the cover plate bolts (m6x20mm) snapped just past finger tight.

I guess years of doing fingertip pushups has some disadvantages. 

When I watched the video he peeled off and removed any traces of sealant, then indicated using lightly using a foam sanding block on the bare metal sealing surface followed by brake cleaner wipedown. You could use brake cleaner and a rage to remove stubborn particles first. Just follow his recommendations carefully and don't mar the sealing surface.

[dsarchs]

In the video he replaced the pan with a new one -- I assume I can just clean and reattach, so I'm less concerned with metal burrs and more with getting the oil off.  Also, off camera someone else cleaned the other surface the pan would attach to.  I'm leery of spraying cleaner in the engine and thought spraying cleaner on a paper towel might be better.

[Laitch]

  I'm . . . thought spraying cleaner on a paper towel might be better.

That's a time-honored way of cleaning the mating surfaces of engines without filling your lungs or unintended areas with cleaning products although you aren't restricted to paper towels; old t-shirts, handkerchiefs, clean, worn-out skivvies pieces and shop rags manufactured for the purpose can also be used but you aren't limited to those choices either.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Clean the mating surface with a chunk of red ScotchBrite.  It's abrasive, but softer than the aluminum so it won't scratch the surface.  It does a better job of getting into irregular places as well.

I wouldn't worry about the bottom of the crankcase.  Clean the mating surface and let it drain for an hour.  A quick wipe with a paper towel with a little fuel on it just before assembly should have it clean enough fort he sealant.

For the bottom of the oil pan, I would just give it a wipe with a couple paper towels to mop up any oil or dirt on it, and then let it soak for 10-15 minutes in some hot water and Dawn dish detergent.  Dawn does a pretty good job of cleaning oil muck off of water fowl and oil pans.  It's also less toxic than almost any other alternative.

[Laitch]

Those pan/sump mating surfaces cannot have any oil on them when mounted. ZERO.