Sorry thats nikasil

porsche flat six BTW

I would like to clean my pistons and cylinders but I am concerned about damaging the coatings

Could I use an engine brite to clean them? How about brake or carb cleaner

I've been following a long thread on this on the Pelican 911 board (I'm rebuilding a 3.0)......Popular opinion is that hot soapy water and scotchbrite pads are best for the Nickasils. Don't know about pistons, but I've used Brakleen spray on them....with a soft brass brush on the crowns to get the carbon off. There's probably a better way short of bead blasting (don't blast unless you mask off everything but the top).

QUOTE (goose2 @ Nov 11 2005, 05:20 PM)

I've been following a long thread on this on the Pelican 911 board (I'm rebuilding a 3.0)......Popular opinion is that hot soapy water and scotchbrite pads are best for the Nickasils. Don't know about pistons, but I've used Brakleen spray on them....with a soft brass brush on the crowns to get the carbon off. There's probably a better way short of bead blasting (don't blast unless you mask off everything but the top).

I doubt if most over the counter cleaners would hurt Nikasil. Doubt if I'd try easy-off though.

I would stay away from and heavy acid or base cleaners just because of the Aluminum

I've bead blasted a 911 nikasil pressure plate...didn't even touch the nikisil.

Soap and water won't touch heavy grease...you use that for the final cleaning.