What the fastest way to clean caked on carbon?

[oshanac]

What the fastest way to clean caked on carbon?

I just took my cylinder head off as part of a piece by piece media blasting/paint refurb and my valves, heck the whole head, and the piston crowns are CAKED with carbon. I've used gasoline (in very small amounts, outdoors, with a mask , fire hydrants, led spot lights, the fire department, and whatever else you can think of to NOT have people tell you how dangerous it is) with great sucess on really sticky and nasty chain lube/road grime. Will it work well on carbon? Any way to tackle it WITHOUT brushes? I just don't want to risk scratching anything. Thanks gang!

[tkent02]

[QUOTE=oshanac;1004146]What the fastest way to clean caked on carbon?

QUOTE]

Get the engine good and hot and run water through it.

[posplayr]

Walnut shells will take off most, but not all and will not scratch anything

[oshanac]

Run water through it-you too funny

Other than walnut shells anything else? I don't have my media blaster yet and are looking for a cheap way to do it for now. Thank you.

[posplayr]

If you have a compressor and a $30 handheld spot blaster that is how I cleaned a head and pistons out in teh open without a box.

Otherwise soak it for 3 days in WD40/Simple Green

[oshanac]

No compressor right now, looks like simple green it is. Thanks!

[Nessism]

Did you remove the pistons? If so, dump them in carb dip, it will remove the carbon.

[Bribird]

Throttle body cleaner like you would get at an auto parts store will do a pretty good job. Take a toothbrush with some throttle body cleaner and go to town on em.
Dont worry about the plastic bristles on the tooth brush hurting the alum....alum will win that fight.

[tkent02]

Run water through it-you too funny

You asked for the easiest way, it's water injection. Run a hose into the carb synch screws in the intake boot, let the water flow slowly while you ride. Combustion chambers are completely clean in a few minutes.

You asked the wrong question, once you have taken the engine apart you can no longer do it the easiest way.

Chip, scratch, brush, use harsh chemicals, it's up to you.

[heathen]

Brake cleaner works best for me.

[Billy Ricks]

Too bad you can't still get carbon tetrachloride. Some gun cleaners used to be basically the same as carbon tet and Energine Spot Remover was too. Not anymore though. I have a can of carbon tet I'm saving in case I ever have a special need for it.

[posplayr]

OK I found it. This is not perfect but if you value yout time, this worked pretty well. head combustion chamber, ports, pistons.

Good luck.

No matter how soft you get the stuff you are ta;lking alot of spraying, scratch, brushing and sweating with anything else.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=822397&postcount=1

I can find the gun I have listed , but if you have a pretty good compressor then (90+ psi) then it should work pretty well. I even used it on removing the carbon from the tops of the pistons. The walnut shells dont do any damage to the aluminium; it is prtty mild and so where near as abrasive as sandblasting.

Once I was setup it took about 1-2 minutes per chamber.

Now for some Harbor Freight spot media blasting (walnut shells)


Looks pretty good but I still have to get the valves out and do under the valves.


Worked great cleaning out the exhaust runners as well.

[Nessism]

Gotta get me some of them thar walnuts shells!

[jabberjoe87]

good ole italian tune up!!!!!! nothin under 7 grand for a good couple miles

[Billy Ricks]

Misting the carbs with a spray bottle and water is supposed to work on a running engine.