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What the fastest way to clean caked on carbon?

  • Thread starter Thread starter oshanac
  • Start date Start date
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oshanac

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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:p) 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! :)
 
Walnut shells will take off most, but not all and will not scratch anything
 
Run water through it-you too funny:clap:

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.
 
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
 
No compressor right now, looks like simple green it is. Thanks!
 
Did you remove the pistons? If so, dump them in carb dip, it will remove the carbon.
 
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.
 
oshanac said:
Run water through it-you too funny:clap:
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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)
head_cleanup.jpg


Looks pretty good but I still have to get the valves out and do under the valves.
chamber_12_cleaned.jpg


Worked great cleaning out the exhaust runners as well.
cleaned_EX_runner.jpg
 
Gotta get me some of them thar walnuts shells!:)
 
good ole italian tune up!!!!!! nothin under 7 grand for a good couple miles
 
Misting the carbs with a spray bottle and water is supposed to work on a running engine.
 
Nessism said:
Did you remove the pistons? If so, dump them in carb dip, it will remove the carbon.
Click to expand...

+1 soak them for a few days, scrub with wire brush soak again. Otherwise walnut shells. you can try some berrymens b-12 or what ever fuel addative that is suppost to remove carbon from valves as you run it, let it soak a bit and see what happens.
 
my exhaust port had 1/8" thick carbon caked on that just flaked off when touched, I just left it? You guys's bikes give mine a complex :mad: :p
 
I used a brass wire cup brush in a cordless drill.

Before:
IMG_3954.jpg


During:
IMG_3961.jpg


First one done:
IMG_3958.jpg


After:
IMG_3963.jpg


.
 
It's funny to read this thread. An old mechanic once told me that you should always leave a layer of carbon on old pistons. Has anybody else ever heard this?
 
It's funny to read this thread. An old mechanic once told me that you should always leave a layer of carbon on old pistons. Has anybody else ever heard this?
Click to expand...

That will never work :mad:.

The pics of your port job just wont be very impressive :-& with carbon flaking off everywhere.
 
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