Top end cleaners?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 585
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From: Green Oak, MI
Top end cleaners? The Miata guys swear by this stuff but I was wondering what everyone here thought about them.
With the whole PCV mess and my hopeful fixing of the problem soon I can image things are pretty gunked up.
Anyone think those top end cleaners are worth something, if they throw stuff out in pieces, build up and that no chance of damaging the turbo's or anything like that is there?
With the whole PCV mess and my hopeful fixing of the problem soon I can image things are pretty gunked up.
Anyone think those top end cleaners are worth something, if they throw stuff out in pieces, build up and that no chance of damaging the turbo's or anything like that is there?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Gambrills, MD
Re: Top end cleaners? I've been researching this myself for a while, as I have a couple years' accumulation of gook in my engine from oil contamination from the POS PCV valve.
From what I have read, there are several different cleaners that work well. THe GM Top Engine Cleaner works well, but is a tad expensive (like most stuff from GM). Lots of guys swear by Sea Foam, available from NAPA @ $6 per bottle.
There are two application methods. One is to remove the spark plugs, and spray the cleaner into the heads, & let sit overnight. Expect a whole lot of smoke when you start the car up (remember to replace the plugs! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> ) The other is to start the engine & let it idle, then use the PCV hose or the brake boost hose to slowly suck the contents of the cleaner bottle into the engine while it's running.
Some guys also swear by certain fuel injector cleaners, like Lucas, Redline, or Techron. These can just be poured into the gas tank.
I still haven't decided which product to use myself. If you decide to try one, please post your results.
Don't know for sure what any of these products will do to your turbos, but I doubt very much they'd be harmful. Caveat emptor.....
From what I have read, there are several different cleaners that work well. THe GM Top Engine Cleaner works well, but is a tad expensive (like most stuff from GM). Lots of guys swear by Sea Foam, available from NAPA @ $6 per bottle.
There are two application methods. One is to remove the spark plugs, and spray the cleaner into the heads, & let sit overnight. Expect a whole lot of smoke when you start the car up (remember to replace the plugs! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> ) The other is to start the engine & let it idle, then use the PCV hose or the brake boost hose to slowly suck the contents of the cleaner bottle into the engine while it's running.
Some guys also swear by certain fuel injector cleaners, like Lucas, Redline, or Techron. These can just be poured into the gas tank.
I still haven't decided which product to use myself. If you decide to try one, please post your results.
Don't know for sure what any of these products will do to your turbos, but I doubt very much they'd be harmful. Caveat emptor.....
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
Re: Top end cleaners? Well, I used SeaFoam on the TA, but I had to sneak out early in the morning, so no one would see the TA smoking all ghetto style!!! Works wonders!! About to do it to my Miata Friday, when I swap out the timiong belt and waterpump. I highly reccomend it, but don't know about the affects of possible **** going through the turbo. It's supposed to be cat friendly, so who knows?!?!
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Re: Top end cleaners? I used the GM Top End Cleaner in my Typhoon. A lot of the guys on the Sy/Ty boards recommend this stuff and there is even a large article on it at www.sytyarchives.com under the How To's section. After using the cleaner and changing my plugs and oil, my truck ran a lot nicer. YOu don't have to worry about getting anything sucked into the turbos, because you spray it directly into the throttle body if you buy the aerosol can. I hope this helps. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
Re: Top end cleaners? Eric, Did you see this one?!?!http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/ultima...c;f=1;t=014296
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TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
Re: Top end cleaners? I just used the GM Top End cleaner. It didn't smoke much, and hardly any carbon deposits came out of the tail pipes, but I used Redline S1 not too long ago. I'm wondering if it had much bearing on the carbon deposits in the chambers.....?
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