removing carbon deposits
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 509
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From: Corona, CA
Hi DEFACTO...
Sorry to hear about the carbon build-up. I assume you're getting preignition (pinging) or just the slapping as you mentioned above?
Also, I see you have 80k miles on your truck.
My brother took his '98 F150 4.6 with 53k miles to the dealer for a horrible piston slap noise. He thought it might be a collapsed piston and told them he wanted a new engine. (He bought the extended warranty when he bought the truck in 98.) The dealer did an engine flush...they normally charge about $129. The mechanic told him there was carbon build-up on the heads, piston tops and possibly rings. He also said the crankcase flush will free up any sticking or seized piston pins which could cause the piston-slap noise.
Results: It runs like new now...and best of all...no noise. My brother was amazed at the difference (and he's a decent engine mechanic!).
The flush apparently includes a fuel system cleansing to remove the carbon, along with the crankcase flush. They changed the oil and filter after the procedure.
It might be worthwhile to inquire with your local Ford service manager.
If you've torn into the engine already, use a good carb cleaner. I know than old trick on an old assembled engine is putting a small amount of ATF in each spark plug hole...let it set overnight, fire it up and take it up to 3000 rpm the next morning. Then, change the oil and filter.
Another old trick on carb'd models was to run the engine up to 3-4,000 rpm then slowly trickle water down the carb. Literally, chunks of carbon would fly out the tail pipe. This sounds scary though! I think I would prefer to go with the dealer.
Good luck!
Sorry to hear about the carbon build-up. I assume you're getting preignition (pinging) or just the slapping as you mentioned above?
Also, I see you have 80k miles on your truck.
My brother took his '98 F150 4.6 with 53k miles to the dealer for a horrible piston slap noise. He thought it might be a collapsed piston and told them he wanted a new engine. (He bought the extended warranty when he bought the truck in 98.) The dealer did an engine flush...they normally charge about $129. The mechanic told him there was carbon build-up on the heads, piston tops and possibly rings. He also said the crankcase flush will free up any sticking or seized piston pins which could cause the piston-slap noise.
Results: It runs like new now...and best of all...no noise. My brother was amazed at the difference (and he's a decent engine mechanic!).
The flush apparently includes a fuel system cleansing to remove the carbon, along with the crankcase flush. They changed the oil and filter after the procedure.
It might be worthwhile to inquire with your local Ford service manager.
If you've torn into the engine already, use a good carb cleaner. I know than old trick on an old assembled engine is putting a small amount of ATF in each spark plug hole...let it set overnight, fire it up and take it up to 3000 rpm the next morning. Then, change the oil and filter.
Another old trick on carb'd models was to run the engine up to 3-4,000 rpm then slowly trickle water down the carb. Literally, chunks of carbon would fly out the tail pipe. This sounds scary though! I think I would prefer to go with the dealer.
Good luck!
Last edited by Area 52; Oct 23, 2001 at 10:58 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
Used to be some stuff I believe bardhal made that you pour down your carb and let sit overnight then run it till it stops belching smoke. Seemed to work a little but it was just fun to create that huge smoke cloud. I'm a little more concious of our atmosphere to do that now.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood, CA
Seafoam is also sold at Carquest, or at least my local one, but it used to be a NAPA and it may just be old stock. It does work wonders on carbon, and it seems to be the best additive I have ever found, but I really haven't tried any other ones. If you have torn the engine down to the pistons already, try using the Valvoline Throttle Body and Carb Cleaner, it's some good stuff. Also seems like Gunk made something for carbs and throttle bodies? Good luck!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Mission, Texas
You can also get a can of GM Top End Cleaner from your GM parts store. Works the same as Sea Foam.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,109
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From: Nu Joizey
carbon deposits
Mach1 made a good point about the carbon possibly clogging the cats but I would also be worried that some of that stuff might find it's way between some of the moving engine components.
A nice chunk of carbon between the piston and cylinder wall would be a real bummer, maybe a chunk gets caught between the valve and seat and bend the a valve stem??
I might be over reacting but I always thought that the reason that we take meticulous care of our air filters is to keep harmful abrasive particles out of the engine.
Just my $.02
A nice chunk of carbon between the piston and cylinder wall would be a real bummer, maybe a chunk gets caught between the valve and seat and bend the a valve stem??
I might be over reacting but I always thought that the reason that we take meticulous care of our air filters is to keep harmful abrasive particles out of the engine.
Just my $.02