Intake valves carbon removal choices.

Interesting...just did some valves (intake and exhaust) on one of my vehicles. Wish I had known of that technique, but, why do you need a moble svc? Can't you just take the valves to the shop who may do this work?

 

Another method...cheaper and no clean up, GM TOP Engine Cleaner.

 

Once the bad valve guides are replaced or the running problems are fixed it won't be a problem anymore.

 

I know you weren't trying to, but your subtle directness cracks me up!

 

For carb cars, there is the old "sprtiz some water in the intake while running" but I can't say I've ever tried this myself. Comments?

Ken

 

Where does all that crud go when it comes off the valve?
Out the exhaust port to clog your catalytic converter?
Between the piston and cylinder wall to scape around a bit?
In a piston ring land to help bind up the rings?
Pounded into a valve seat?

 

I asked about that too; although our cars have no cats. He said it sounds like metal going through the exhaust and you'll **** your pants, but it all blows out and you're good to go. I did ask about fouling the piston/rings too and never got a satisfactory answer. That's why I've never tried it myself! LOL

Ken

 

I’ve heard this one too, but never knew anybody who actually tried it. To me it always sounded like a good way to hydraulic the engine or lift the head off the block.

 

They talked about it on car talk one day I think. The water boils when it hits the hot valve/piston/combustion chamber and steam cleans everything. They said it worked.

 

This is an old "trick" that the old time Jaguar mechanics say they used to decarbon the pistons. Not sure that it actually cleans the valves themselves. The analogy I was given was what happens when you have a minor leak in a head gasket. When you pull the head, the pistons in the cylinders that were leaking are usually spotless compared to the others.

The way it was explained to me by people who have done it and swear by it is to use a pump sprayer, like a Windex bottle, that will produce a mist. They spray it directly into the carbs with a fairly wide open throttle, a little at a time, so as not to stall the engine. Obviously, if you just pour water into the carbs, you are going to have a big problem. I haven't tried it, but guys I know who have say it actually works (you can see the difference looking into the cylinders, before and after, through the spark plug hole, they say.) I understand it can be done on FI cars also by spraying the mist directly into the throttle body.

Caveat -- I'm just reporting what I've been told. If you try it, you're on your own. I assume no responsibility for the outcome, unless you report back that it worked splendidly.

 

You are right about the pistons, not so sure it is going to have the same effect on intake valves. They don't get very hot and are not exposed to the combustion cycle to any degree.

The point I was making was that if the cause of the carboned up intake valves is addressed it will take care of itself. An intake valve with deposits of any quantity is an indication of a problem, not THE problem.

 

Agree. I just went through this in the past two years with two different Jaguar engines (three, if you count my old V-12 many years back). The intake valves were a mess, lot of black, nasty build-up. In all cases, it was the 30+ y.o. valve stem seals leaking. Heads were pulled, valves removed and cleaned, head cleaned up, new valve guides and seals. No more problems. Hopefully, won't have to worry about them again for another 30 years.

 

Google search "GM TOP Engine Cleaner"....it may be just what you need.

 

Brian is a Ferrari trained mechanic. He comes here for the fun, or whatever, to offer sage advice to those who ask. Free advice. Having been a mechanic myself and been wrenching of cars and everything else since I cant remember when, I have seen very little that he was ever wrong about. Same in this instance. Just like he put it, fix the problem and the issue will take car of itself. Outside of that your on your own. Back in the day, when engines got carbon fouled they pulled the heads. Myself I wouldnt feel comfortable blasting any material of any kind down my intake ports. At least not on something like a Ferrari. To many things to go wrong and cost more money. At any rate, stop biting the hands that feed you. When good technical people go away because people start arguing, we all lose.

Myself, if the car was running well and making good power, I would leave well enough alone. You could try MMO, 1-2 qts in the oil and keep an eye on oil pressure, and a qt or so in the fuel. It may just clean off your valves without mucking anything up. Water entering the engine will only do any good inside the combustion chamber. Nothing will work on the backside of the intake valves short of something like MMO, if at all. You can also try the proverbial "Italian tuneup", but I doubt that will do anything either. Oils with high flash points, ones above 400*F wont do that as readily as something like Pennzoil. And I agree with Ken, that media blasting fouling the piston rings is a very high probablility if anything enters the combustion chamber. Good luck.

 

Paul and others make sense. If it aint reaaaaly broke, dont fix it, in this engine department issue. I would just like to add a tid bit from my perspective, and that is: Beware of the multitude of snake oil products whose manufacturers prey on us car club consumers with little organic chemistry background.....That stuff mentioned above....the seafoams, the GM whatever whatchamacallit , together with the endless list of rip off elixirs sold at auto parts usually are a dissapointment.

There is NO solvent/acid/base/oxidizer that will dissolve carbon (assuming we are talking about "carbon" deposits). None! Mechanical removal is it. Hope that helps some....

 

GM Top End Cleaner is actually a proven product, but it fills the whole shop with thick smoke........LOL

Alan
Pontiac Parts Department counter guy, circa 1976.....

We used to have this guy named Frank who tuned the silver haired ladies Cadillacs on Galveston Island.......man, he'd pour that stuff in and rev them to the max....if the loud noise suddenly stopped, we owed them a motor.....

 

I think it's basically Techroline, like Chevron uses as an additive now...you can buy that in bottles as well.....

Just take your Ferrari to 10,500RPM every now and then ....same result!

 

Hey Tex!!!

GM elixir, proven? for what (cuz I dont know, other than I know the better not be claiming it will dissolve carbon)?

I am embarrased to say that I was suckered into buying (and wasting time) a can of seafoam for valves cleanup. BEWARE that the label says or strongly implies that it actual removes carbon, the very thing I was wanting to remove. Store attendant said it to my face like he knew what he was talking about. I returned it on Monday, and the big store manager man "told" me it does work. The even have the store heads believing it!!

 

Is it water that is used to fog the combustion chambers?
Physically, how is this decarbonization achieved?

Thanks, Bruce S.