carbon deposits on pistons
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
carbon deposits on pistons took my heads off today (comp replacement lifter install) and all of my pistons where scortched with HUGE carbon deposit, enough to raise the surface of the piston. the car only has 35k miles but has been ticking pretty bad for a couple of weeks. I suspected a lifter but not this. 
I really don't think thats normal, I've seen pics of LS1's apart with more miles and less sh*t in them. whats going on?
I really don't think thats normal, I've seen pics of LS1's apart with more miles and less sh*t in them. whats going on? 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, Arizona
Does your engine use a lot of oil? We had the heads off my son's LS1 and the top of the pistons were pretty clean, just a light coating of carbon. You may want to try a catch can to keep the oil out of the intake track.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
thanks for the reply's.here's a couple pictures , i already cleaned off a lot of the build up from the pistons before these were taken....nevermind , pics are too big , i have to figure out how to make them smaller first..
Last edited by jaredm; Sep 5, 2005 at 08:13 PM.
Good post, you just answered my question, my piston tops have alot of carbon buildup also, I believe alot of that is normal, I've thought though running a 160TStat keeps the motor cooler, so it can't heat up as much to burn alot of that excess off. My two cents. 
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Originally Posted by Rudolph
Lots on mine, and when cam swap, i cleaned it up 
I think that the catch can (mini air filter) is not working very good
I think that the catch can (mini air filter) is not working very good
I think you meant H & C swap...if not you did the cam a long, hard way
I agree, oiling buildup, and quench height is an issues. Dealing with a buddy that has been troubleshooting odd KR, and my first guess is Carbon deposits. Hate to pull it apart only to clean the pistons and chambers
130,000 on the LS1 from my '97 Vette' when it was removed for rebuild. Very clean everywhere. Bottom end looked like new. Not much carbon on the pistons or chambers. Always ran Synthetic and changed often.
Originally Posted by SSDoubleK
Gonna start using the synthetic oil. Anyway to smooth out those piston tops if your valve dented them a bit?
1) you can scotchbrite the high sides and smooth it out some.
OR
2) rent a valve relief cutter and cut them in deeper.
Originally Posted by CAT3
I think you meant H & C swap...if not you did the cam a long, hard way
I agree, oiling buildup, and quench height is an issues. Dealing with a buddy that has been troubleshooting odd KR, and my first guess is Carbon deposits. Hate to pull it apart only to clean the pistons and chambers
I agree, oiling buildup, and quench height is an issues. Dealing with a buddy that has been troubleshooting odd KR, and my first guess is Carbon deposits. Hate to pull it apart only to clean the pistons and chambers
