what kind of solvent for cleaning heads and tops of pistons? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

ToiletDuck · 05-05-2006, 11:36 AM

got an engine torn apart to replace a head gasket and figured i would get things cleaned up while im in there. What do you guys use?

Thanks

Old Scout · 05-05-2006, 12:31 PM

Brake clean.

Kartracer55 · 05-05-2006, 01:23 PM

Carb cleaner does a decent job at cleaning stuff up, but nothing really dissolves carbon, or at least nothing I have found yet. Use a blunt plastic scraper to help break it up. Make sure you dont get any pieces of carbon on the sides of the pistons because it will score the hell out of the bore. Add a little bit of MMO to the cylinder walls and allow it to seep down to the rings because the carb cleaner will dissolve any remaining oil on the walls.

Just my .02

Jim

Daveyclimber · 05-05-2006, 02:21 PM

I have always used a wire wheel on carbon deposits with great sucess , followed by cleaning with a carb or brake cleaner

frankenfab · 05-05-2006, 06:42 PM

A can of GM top engine cleaner is the best I have ever used.

ImNotRight · 05-05-2006, 07:06 PM

if you are not removing the pistons I'd just leave the carbon alone. It's gunna come back either way, and you run a serious risk of fawkin up your walls if you're not uber carefull. When you run it again just run some sea foam through it to clean it up.

Daveyclimber · 05-05-2006, 10:24 PM

No risk if the pistons are TDC

Old Scout · 05-06-2006, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImNotRight

if you are not removing the pistons I'd just leave the carbon alone. It's gunna come back either way, and you run a serious risk of fawkin up your walls if you're not uber carefull. When you run it again just run some sea foam through it to clean it up.

Nice reading and comprehension!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToiletDuck

got an engine torn apart to replace a head gasket and figured i would get things cleaned up while im in there. What do you guys use?

Thanks

ImNotRight · 05-06-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

Nice reading and comprehension!

I assumed he has the upper half torn down.. didn't say he pulled the engine nor the crank.

Old Scout · 05-06-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImNotRight

I assumed he has the upper half torn down.. didn't say he pulled the engine nor the crank.

Removing the heads doesn't mean torn apart to me!

jmhinescj · 05-06-2006, 09:03 PM

last time I replaced a head gasket I tried easy-off oven cleaner...with a little elbow grease it cut right thru the carbon deposits

05-05-2006, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
ToiletDuck Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14687 Location: Manhattan, KS Posts: 223	what kind of solvent for cleaning heads and tops of pistons? got an engine torn apart to replace a head gasket and figured i would get things cleaned up while im in there. What do you guys use? Thanks

05-05-2006, 12:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Old Scout IH/Rover Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 17 Location: Aptos,Ca Posts: 13,398	Brake clean. __________________ I like beer. On occasion, I will even drink beer to celebrate a major event such as the fall of communism or the fact that the refrigerator is still working." BUY MY BOAT http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/misc-...e-history.html

05-05-2006, 02:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Daveyclimber Rock God Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14489 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,405	I have always used a wire wheel on carbon deposits with great sucess , followed by cleaning with a carb or brake cleaner __________________ NorCal Tree Expert Co. (530)527-2844 Need tree trimming/removal , need defensible space ? Call us ,insured and licensed . Serving Tehama, Glenn, Shasta and Butte County

05-05-2006, 06:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
frankenfab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18989 Location: Utah Posts: 526	A can of GM top engine cleaner is the best I have ever used. __________________ A flash of lightning illuminated the object, wretch, hideous, filthy daemon. A new species would bless me as its creator.

05-05-2006, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
ImNotRight Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19666 Location: Napa, CA transplant. Posts: 1,207	if you are not removing the pistons I'd just leave the carbon alone. It's gunna come back either way, and you run a serious risk of fawkin up your walls if you're not uber carefull. When you run it again just run some sea foam through it to clean it up. __________________ QUOTE=TheHawes;15027873 If it wasn't for pussy, I'd hunt them fucking things.

05-05-2006, 01:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kartracer55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Member # 50092 Location: NJ Posts: 501	Carb cleaner does a decent job at cleaning stuff up, but nothing really dissolves carbon, or at least nothing I have found yet. Use a blunt plastic scraper to help break it up. Make sure you dont get any pieces of carbon on the sides of the pistons because it will score the hell out of the bore. Add a little bit of MMO to the cylinder walls and allow it to seep down to the rings because the carb cleaner will dissolve any remaining oil on the walls. Just my .02 Jim

05-05-2006, 10:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Daveyclimber Rock God Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14489 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,405	No risk if the pistons are TDC __________________ NorCal Tree Expert Co. (530)527-2844 Need tree trimming/removal , need defensible space ? Call us ,insured and licensed . Serving Tehama, Glenn, Shasta and Butte County

05-06-2006, 09:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
jmhinescj Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Member # 24640 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 1,135	last time I replaced a head gasket I tried easy-off oven cleaner...with a little elbow grease it cut right thru the carbon deposits __________________ Co-Driver 4447 Camco Rock Racing Thanks to our partners: Bulldog Winch, Jackson Powertrain, Winchline.com, BFG, Raceline wheels

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