Removing Carbon Buildup

[SPLINTER]

Has anyone come up with a sure fire way to remove carbon build up from piston tops? Any input would help. Thanks!

[daves79x]

Scrape what you can get with any suitable tool, then a rag and carb cleaner.

Dave

[bobber01]

Few years ago an older mechanic shared with me how he would remove carbon from a running automotive engine. Method involved having the engine running (to operating temp)and a squirt bottle with water. Rev the engine up and squirt a mist of water down the intake. The water when turned to steam apparently causes mini-explosions in the combustion chamber removing any deposits from the valves and pistons. Does it work? From the crap which came out of the exhaust of my Dodge 318 ... oh eh! Would I try it on a newer machine? Don't think so but did do it on a Yamaha 650 twin and used a boroscope to have looksee at the chamber plus removed exhaust to look at the valves. It was very clean with no apparent ill effects. After the 318 episode though would recommend to take the exhaust off cause theres a LOT of crap which could plug up the exhaust.
I would think there's something proven on the market which works similar.

[zxbob]

I would think there's something proven on the market which works similar.

A shot of nitrous oxide will clean em up !

Bob

[Kool_Biker]

Has anyone come up with a sure fire way to remove carbon build up from piston tops? Any input would help. Thanks!

What has worked from me, and I assume you have the head off, is my Dremel with the softest 3M abrasive you can get, see below.
Be very gentle and it works like magic.

P1070805.jpg

Good luck, Aris

[SPLINTER]

Certainly looks like that cleans it up. I've been using a wire brush and working it dry. I'll see if my local hardware store has that 3M wheel and try that out.

[George R. Garrison #0857]

FYI - several years ago I cleaned the tops of all 7 pistons from a Lycoming R680 radial engine using spray Dow Corning oven cleaner.

It worked very well and the engines still in servcice with no Ill afects.

LATER, George in Delaware....... --------Happy 4th everyone-------
@ @

[bhf]

I used soda blasting and it went strait off:-)