Soaking pistons

morrisman1, Jun 2, 3:46pm
Any pointers to what is effective in removing carbon build up from pistons? I don't expect them to be bad but I do want to make sure the ring grooves are nice and clean and theres no unnecessary buildup on the pistons before they go back in. I had a hunt around the auto stores today and cannot find carb cleaner in any form other than aerosol.
thejazzpianoma, Jun 2, 3:53pm
I use "Easy Off Bam" for cleaning and loosening around leaking diesel injectors etc. Would likely work nicely for your purpose.
morrisman1, Jun 2, 3:59pm
Will that attack the aluminium?
skull, Jun 2, 4:20pm
I would suspect yes if left soaking undiluted for too long but no experience of using it myself on alloy.
jason_247, Jun 2, 4:33pm
if you have a sand blaster try soda blasting them, quick easy and doesnt hurt the alloy.

it doesnt leave residue or shot peen harden the surface like other grits
clark20, Jun 2, 5:59pm
Ultra-sonic cleaning? Don't know where tho.
thejazzpianoma, Jun 2, 6:54pm
Haven't noticed any damage on alloy heads etc, obviously it's a different ballgame and pretty critical on pistons though. I would do a test on an old piston myself first if it was me.

It is fairly mild though, nothing like oven cleaner etc yet it still cuts through carbon type stuff well.

All I can say is test it carefully first. Even if you decide against using it for this job, it's fantastic stuff to have on hand in the workshop, it fills a gap other cleaners don't and when you need it you need it.
sr2, Jun 2, 9:56pm
I've still got a few litres of "cold parts cleaner" I bought from Andrews Chemicals some years back. An overnight soak decarbonises pistons and brings them up like new, rather nasty stuff but works a treat.

CRC gasket stripper also works well as a decarboniser, and is safe to use on aluminium.

I have been told Paint stripper in an aerosol can is great for decarbonising but as jazz suggests I'd try a test on an old piston first.
morrisman1, Jun 2, 10:07pm
That cold parts cleaner is probably what I'm after! Im gunna get some jet-a fuel and give that a go, along with some acetone. I have a couple sets of pistons i can experiment on.

Ive gotta be careful because as far as i know these pistons have ptfe coated skirts
martin11, Jun 3, 5:56am
Jet fuel is basically Kerosene !
fordcrzy, Jun 3, 6:51am
Crc make a specific product called carbon off ( or something like that) i used it on my old falcon head and pistons. worked very well
elect70, Jun 3, 11:11am
Still reckon need to scrape the ring grooves with old ring . Over years a varnish forms that nothing will disolve . May look clean ,
alfred011, Jun 4, 8:51pm
Usually just break an old ring and use that to scrape the carbon from back of ring groove .
unclejake, Jun 4, 8:55pm
I just use oven cleaner or paint stripper (EDIT: as others have suggested). No doubt someone will have an alien invasion theory as to why that's a terrible idea and will result in the deaths of 1,000 children, will ruin your engine, and then make you impotent. but it seems to work just fine
elect70, Jun 6, 11:11am
speaking of soaking --- jack & john were standing at the urinal & jack says jeeez john you sure got a big one -- yeah says john I soak it often -- oh yeah says jack what in -- beans says john , human beans
rob_man, Jun 6, 1:07pm
I have 40 litres of petrol/diesel mix which is only good for washing engine parts or running a Russian tank if anyone wants it.
Not saying how I came to have it.
craigs_workshop, Jul 24, 4:14am
sonic cleaning