Using water to decarbonize???

[Squeakit]

I have been reading some earlier posts on decarbonizing. Dribbling or spraying water in the carb while revving the engine is mentioned several times. If it works, it would be cheaper and cleaner than the commercial decarb agents. Has anyone ever used this method of decarbing and does it work? Can it damage the engine? Would like to know. Thanks.

 

[ob]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

sounds like a bad idea to me.Cheaper?Cleaner?Like maybe running with cowling off in thunderstorm.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

Yes. Yes. Yes.<br />It's cheaper (a bunch)<br />It's been done and it works.<br />It will definitely grenade an engine.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[JB]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

Howdy, Squeakit.<br /><br />Yes, it works. For many years it was the only alternative to tear down to get rid of carbon buildup and was very common. I did it myself for years to my outboards and my flathead Fords.<br /><br />The downside is that you can injure your engine if you do it wrong. Have the engine at operating temp before you start. Don't overdo it and drown your engine, be patient, keep the engine running for at least 5 minutes after the steam has disappeared from the exhaust.<br /><br />The main risk is that you will leave water in the system when you shut down, with the damage that water does to iron/steel. There is almost zero chance that you will grenade your engine. The laws of physics apply.<br /><br />Water injection has been used for at least 50 years on vehicles to prevent detonation and preignition. A side benefit is that a water injected engine stays very clean. I used it on my Corvair engines to eliminate the pesky spark knock they had with regular gas.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

JB: How fast should the engine be running when the water is sprayed into the carb? Should it be running under load or in neutral? On an outboard, how long would you spray the water (Force 50,2cyl, single carb) for one complete treatment? How often would you do this. Thanks for the info.

 

[ob]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

Squeakit,while atomizing water through cylinders may have some effects on decarbonizing,I still would not recommend it as an option when products for this have been formulated .None of which are water.Some of the large stationary diesels I have maitained over the years had fixed atomizers on cylinders used for this purpose on occasion,however these engines also had pressurized oil circuits and vented crankcases which accomodated escape of residual moisture reaching con bearings and mains through blowby.Atomized water through intake on two stroke outboard while it may dynamically remove or cause release of some carbon on piston head ,I would consider to be crude intervention.I personally would stick with products recommended for this purpose as opposed to risking the possibility of deleterious effects to rotating components by using water.No disrespect,intended for previous posters.Just my opinion.

 

[almost retired again]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

Dito OB on all that you have said on this subject.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

Thanks for the info OB. I was just very curious about this and my next question was going to be whether or not water spray would also deal with sticky rings. My intuition is that it probably wouldn't, and the fuel additives or the spray cleaners probably would. Some of the posts I read said that as long as you use good quality fuel and oil and don't do alot of trolling or idling that carbon is not likely to become a problem anyway. I respect the opinions of the many experts on this board, and there seems to be a lack of consensus on this issue. I have read that Force engines tend to carbon up easily so I'm gathering info and learning as I go.

 

[BillP]

Re: Using water to decarbonize???

Squeakit,<br />I agree with using products made specifically for decarbonizing. It isn't expensive and is easy to do. <br /><br />My opinion is that a person should decarbonize once every season and not worry about "if" it is loading up...but then again I lost a piston from carbon buildup and it cost me a rebuild on a 1/2 time engine.<br /><br />In the old days I would pull the heads off and scrape the carbon off. Now the aerosol type cleaners make this task easy and the engine parts look near new after the treatment.