transsam

iTrader: (5)

I have had my car down for some time now. I am finally putting it back together and I may have created a major problem...

I spent some time cleaning the piston tops which were heavily coated with carbon. I am worried that some of the carbon bits may have fallen between the cylinders and the walls.

So, what now?

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Shoot some compressed air between the piston and the cylinder. Before you bolt the heads back up, coat the cylinder walls with some light oil.

transsam

iTrader: (5)

Do I need an air compressor to do it, or will one of the cans for keyboards work? I ask because I don't have much of an ability to get a compressor into the parking garage. Thanks for the info!

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

I suppose a can could do it if it's full but you'll run the chance of liquids from it if you tip the can the wrong way.

Get yourself an air tank setup that you fill at a gas station.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Spin the motor and after each piston starts back downward it should leave the debris at the top so you can wipe it up with a rag. Adding some motor oil the cylinders walls helps the debris stick at the top. After a few times doing each cylinder there will be little to no carbon left.

transsam

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the air tank setup idea. I wouldn't have thought of it. That and the oil sounds like it will be good to go. Thanks guys.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Agreed, spinning the motor by hand will get the junk to the top.

Autozone has the tanks for 35 bucks. OR, search the internet for "freon tank to air tank conversion kit"

remauto1187

iTrader: (1)

Just spray the hell out of each cylinder with Brake parts cleaner. It dissolves carbon to nothing on contact. After your done with all that...coat each cylinder with oil. I wouldn't worry about changing your oil since brake cleaner evaporates in minutes and the dissolved carbon will get caught in your filter.

Next time dont use a wire brush, etc. on your pistons. Use brake cleaner. Its fast and very effective and cheap cheap cheap!

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

I usually use Scotch Brite for jobs like this. Brake cleaner is a solvent and can get expensive to buy. I would hope after doing a head swap job, an oil & filter change is on the "to do" list.

remauto1187

iTrader: (1)

Expensive? LOL At less than $3 a can at the auto parts store you will need around 5 cans which makes it less than $20.

If $20 is "expensive" for ya then you are def in the wrong hobby!

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

LOLZ, it's been a while since I've bought Braklean. I remembered it at like six bucks a can.

I have a friend who used to work at a Dodge dealership. Every job he got included a can of brake cleaner. I have like three milk crates of hardly used cans of brake cleaner.

Brake cleaner it is then!

remauto1187

iTrader: (1)

Hell yeah! CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! You dont want busted up carbon which is essentially the consistentcy of sand flying all over the place and ending all up and down inside your engine! As soon as that brake parts cleaner hits carbon it turns to liquified black liquid!