Removing top end carbon buildup

[Tekime]

What's your favorite medicine for removing carbon buildup, in particular on a head with some pretty nasty exhaust ports?

I don't really have access to blasting tools and would kind of prefer a chemical solution, obviously something that plays nice with aluminum.

Considering some of the following:

• Carb cleaner
• Kerosene
• Simple green
• Seafoam
• Paint stripper (methanol / methylene-dichloride based)

In the past I've used simple green, soaking in Pine Sol, works good & fairly safe for basic cleanup / soaking carbs..

Soaking some valves in Simple Green right now, 5-6 hours soaking it's definitely loosening things up, we'll see..

Thinking about soaking the top end in simple green, then maybe go at it with some paint stripper and scrubbing if needed. Need to decide if I absolutely have to pull the valve guides before that, or if I can leave them be.

[Kurlon]

Techron?

[RandyO]

steam

[Tekime]

You mean spraying water in a running engine or is there some equipment for steam cleaning? Dumping water in there sketches me the heck out, anyway I've got a top end removed and disassembled.

[Kurlon]

http://www.target.com/p/bissell-stea...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have one, they work really damn well for degreasing. Haven't tried carbon removal yet but it wouldn't surprise me that it could shift it.

[Tekime]

Nice.. hmm, that might come in handy around the house anyway.

Update: a couple valves had bad carbon buildup, soaked in simple green ~8 hours, then 30 mins. in the ultrasonic cleaner w/ simple green, just checked and the carbon is falling right off

Picked up some paint stripper will try that on the ports w/ some manual scrubbing.

[RandyO]

You mean spraying water in a running engine or is there some equipment for steam cleaning? Dumping water in there sketches me the heck out, anyway I've got a top end removed and disassembled.

I was thinking more like an industrial parts washing cabinet..do you know someone that has one .....most transmission shops have them or shops that specialize in rebuiding engines

[Tekime]

I was thinking more like an industrial parts washing cabinet..do you know someone that has one .....most transmission shops have them or shops that specialize in rebuiding engines

Nobody I know has anything

Tested the stripper on a spare head and very satisfied

Should make quick work of it, although I don't love working with the stuff.

[Tekime]

Methanol-based stripper was about 95% effective . Did an amazing job at the first 95%, along with a brass brush, but the last 5% hard carbon buildup is taking some elbow grease. Not bad at all though for a few hours and a few bucks. It was nasty, within a few minutes of brushing the stripper on, most of the carbon was already peeling away. A bit more work and the ports are going to look brand spanking new.. then some lapping is in order.

Thinking about trying a baking soda blast on the head itself.

[number9]

You could try Subaru's upper engine cleaner. On the left of this photo:



It's been around a while.

Nobody I know has anything

Tested the stripper on a spare head and very satisfied

Should make quick work of it, although I don't love working with the stuff.

I'd find a local engine or transmission shop and give 'em $20 or a case of beer and ask them to wash it for you.