Removing carbon from piston tops ?

[Cranky]

Anyone have a good way to remove carbon from piston tops?

 

[khryslerkid]

Are they still in the engine?

 

[zyzzyx]

I use a 3M Rollock/ScotchBrite to take it off. Put the piston to the top of the bore, Mask everything and have fun!

 

[dual fours]

Are they still in the engine?

some would trickle water down the carb with the engine running. I never tried it though.

 

[Cranky]

Are they still in the engine?

Nope

 

[khryslerkid]

some would trickle water down the carb with the engine running. I never tried it though.

Thats why I'm asking if they're in a running engine. A spray bottle of water, spraying down the carb at part throttle works good. You have to use common sense not to over do it.

Zyzzyx has the right idea if they are accessible. Stop early as not to gouge and finish up with carb cleaner.

Bench top grinder with a nice wire wheel works too with some finesse.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

I usually use either carb cleaner or decarb. If they're out, you can out them in a pan and let them soak for a day or so in a decarbon solution. Then just wipe the top of the piston off with a rag. Then scrub with a little soap and water.

 

[Beekeeper]

I usually use either carb cleaner or decarb. If they're out, you can out them in a pan and let them soak for a day or so in a decarbon solution. Then just wipe the top of the piston off with a rag. Then scrub with a little soap and water.

Ding ding we have a winner!

 

[69roadr]

you'd be surprised what wd-40 and steel wool can do.

 

[383MovingViolation]

Seafoam

 

[shorty64]

...you need a "carbon-eater".

 

[miller]

Probably another one of my lame ideas, but always wondered what dishwashing soap would do, you know...the one they use to clean oil off birds, and animals. Wouldn't hurt to try...least you'd be dealing with clean carbon! Ha!

Had to deal with carbon on airplane pistons...used bead-blast...but, tops on them were also chromed.

Just burned oil. Soap bit might at least soften the carbon.

 

[Funship32]

Don't know how bad of an issue you are dealing with but I always found carb cleaner to do a good job.

 

[theman440]

Bench grinder?

 

[cudaboy]

If they are out of the motor, any kind of cleaner, or soft wire brush wheel on a grinder gently. If they are in the motor and it runs, start the motor let it warm up. Start to gradually run the rpms up and pour a little Transmission fluid right down the carb on each side, white smoke will pour out the pipes. Stop pouring the tranny fluid. keep it reved up and clear it out, then take it out and drive it hard on the freeway. Tranny fluid has detergent which will clean and lubricate at the same time, better than water. Cleans valves and pistons, all the carbon. The white smoke will eventually quit. ---- : )

 

[SlinktRR]

toluene

Anyone have a good way to remove carbon from piston tops?

We use toluene in the lab, not sure if you can buy this as a household solvent. I would suggest Emory cloth and toluene, maybe with some isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) or methanol (wood alcohol) mixed in. Have used this to clean metal parts in instruments that get carbon tracking or scoring like the source in mass spectrometers.

Can also use barkeepers friend abrasive with some solvent. This is another mass spec fine cleaning trick.

Toluene has less contact toxicity than chlorinated carb cleaners but needs to be used in well ventilated area as it is not healthy to breathe. This is the primary solvent in plastic model glue. This would not be a soaking project, need to use small amounts of solvent with a fine abrasive. Good luck.

 

[miller]

Toluene...mean stuff. Sure don't want to put your hands in it! They wind-up looking like prunes.

 

[65 Coronet]

Used Seafoam on mine last summer with some scotchbright worked wonders with a little elbow grease.

Seafoam