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Posted by: r_towle Dec 20 2005, 11:22 AM

So,
on the heads and tops of pistons...

How do you remove the carbon...

the piston I am not as worried about...
I would like something gentle to remove the carbon from the head....

What have you guys done... I have searched...

Rich

Posted by: Joe Ricard Dec 20 2005, 11:35 AM

You can use something like a wood stick (or plastic) Then move to carb cleaner and scotch brite pads. Just don't gouge them with a screw driver.

with the heads off of course

Posted by: qa1142 Dec 20 2005, 11:35 AM

de-grease to get any oil out and then use brass brissle brush

Posted by: blitZ Dec 20 2005, 11:57 AM

Soak it in some SeaFoam, most FLAPS have it. The marine industry has been using this stuff for years to decarbon outboards. Works great on cars.

Posted by: Bleyseng Dec 20 2005, 01:31 PM

Posted by: dlo914 Dec 20 2005, 02:07 PM

If your car was running you could use this one product called "Sea Foam" at your local FLAPS... a friend used it and boy the exhaust was bellowing out black smoke from the carbon deposits in his cylinders.

Posted by: dlo914 Dec 20 2005, 02:07 PM

QUOTE (blitZ @ Dec 20 2005, 09:57 AM)

Soak it in some SeaFoam, most FLAPS have it. The marine industry has been using this stuff for years to decarbon outboards. Works great on cars.

damn Blitz got to it first

Posted by: toon1 Dec 20 2005, 03:08 PM

I used Sea foam in my 96 dodge 1500 tranny. The thing wouldn't shift from second to third. Added Sea foam and in about 15 of driving the tranny shifted perfectly. If all their products work that well you can't go wrong.

Posted by: jhadler Dec 20 2005, 03:12 PM

With a dissasembled motor, I found easy-off to work quite handilly. Just use in a well ventilated area. Easier I guess in the summer when things are warmer...

-Josh2

Posted by: ClayPerrine Dec 20 2005, 03:19 PM

I found a very good carbon remover.....


Plain old water.


All you do is get a gallon of water and a long piece of vacuum hose. Hook the vacuum hose to a vacuum port on the engine, run the engine about 2500 rpm, and put the other end of the vacuum hose in the jug of water.

The water will turn to steam when it hits the combustion chambers. The steam loosens and removes most of the carbon.

The car will try to misfire and will run bad while you are doing this, but if it tries to die, just pull the hose out of the water.

You get to spew lots of steam out of the exhaust too.

(Ever seen the pistons on a water cooled car after a blown head gasket? They are clean as a whistle.)

Posted by: Dr. Roger Dec 20 2005, 03:33 PM

wire wheel on the end of a drill.

then polish the same way so less carbon sticks to the combustin chambers.

works like a charm.

Posted by: brer Dec 20 2005, 03:49 PM

QUOTE (ClayPerrine @ Dec 20 2005, 02:19 PM)

I found a very good carbon remover..... Plain old water. All you do is get a gallon of water and a long piece of vacuum hose. Hook the vacuum hose to a vacuum port on the engine, run the engine about 2500 rpm, and put the other end of the vacuum hose in the jug of water. The water will turn to steam when it hits the combustion chambers. The steam loosens and removes most of the carbon. The car will try to misfire and will run bad while you are doing this, but if it tries to die, just pull the hose out of the water. You get to spew lots of steam out of the exhaust too. (Ever seen the pistons on a water cooled car after a blown head gasket? They are clean as a whistle.)

a lady i knew who raced 356's told me to pour water down the carbs of my S90.

I told her to take a hike. At the time it sounded silly.

now i'm wondering,
wont dislodging carbon while running introduce lots of debris to the piston rings?

Posted by: kwales Dec 20 2005, 05:00 PM

I think American Motors used that as a tune up technique in the 60's. They are also outa business as a comapany.

That being said, I too have used water to clean the engine.
On a beetle, it's easy.... Remove air cleaner, slowly dribble water into intake while revving engine. Done it many times.

Haven't tried it on an injected engine yet...

Ken

Posted by: r_towle Dec 20 2005, 05:23 PM

I appreciate the suggestion...and I learned a few things...

But alas, the engine is taken apart...

I would like to clean the heads and pistons before I put it back together...

I am not to worried about the pistons...if they get a little scratched...oh well...

But the heads...specifically where the cylinder mating surface is...I dont want to scratch it, or deform it...

I am looking for a chemical that will do the trick with a tooth brush, or a light brass wire brush...

Rich

Posted by: jhadler Dec 20 2005, 05:28 PM

"Easy-Off"!

No really, what do you think it's made to do? Disolve carbon deposits....

Just make sure the parts are "warm" before you do it. NOT hot. Just room temperature. So bring 'em inside for the night before hitting 'em with the stuff.

I cleaned two sets of heads and a set of pistons in a day with a few cans of the stuff. Make sure you've wiped off the parts as good as you can, and that they're at least room temperature. Then take 'em outside, spray 'em down, and let 'em sit a while. Then go at 'em with a nylon bristle brush. Wipe off, repeat as needed. It took me about three rounds to get 'em pretty clean. They won't be bead blaster clean, but they certainly weren't all cruded up with carbon though either... YMMV...

-Josh2

Posted by: r_towle Dec 20 2005, 05:31 PM

that is amazing stuff...

Someone needs to wrtie a book...101 things easy off can do..

I was told it takes off pinstriping without damaging the underlying paint...

Yup, it worked...I have a can here from that project...

I also heard Coke (classic formula) is a good cleaner...

Rich

Posted by: Gint Dec 20 2005, 06:30 PM

It's a little late now, but I can't believe no one said it...

Chopsticks!