Cant get carbon off piston tops

[clifton63]

I have read every post on this site on tips to get the HARD carbon off my pistons. I have the pistons out of the motor since I am doing a rebuild. There is a hard carbon buildup of about 1/32" covering at least 80% of the top. I have tried carb cleaner. Engine tuner. and soaked overnight in both to no avail. A wire wheel is the only thing that takes it off...but it takes off that factory piston coating as well. I am sure that coating is there for a reason. I have a 97 looper. Anyone have anything else? Too many snake oil suggestions so far. engine tuner, carb cleaner, sea foam...none of that stuff works. surely there is some chemical (or non-damaging mechanical process) that will remove this stuff. Can I just leave it alone?

 

[boobie]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

Ever try a shop that has a bead blaster ?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

Ever try a shop that has a bead blaster ?

Ditto that. I'd tape the sides just to have a good warm fuzzy feeling.

 

[boobie]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

Good point Metric, tapeing the sides keeps everything away from the ring lands.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

Decarb by running the engine and spraying seafoam into carb throats for best results. Burn it off.
See the sticky files for proceedure.

 

[boobie]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

Jones, I think you should read the orginial post.

 

[clifton63]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

Thanks for the bead blast suggestion and I am sure that would work, but I don't have a bead blaster and $ for that and I aint going to take it to get done to get charged an arm and a leg. I would rather leave the carbon on there. The carbon is only on the piston tops. Rings are fine. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

Easy Off oven cleaner does a good job. The "Fume Free" type does not require heat to work.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

I use a scraper blade, knife blade, putty knife to carefully scrape that hard carbon off the piston crown without scratching or gouging the surface, then finish it off with some steel wool to polish it nice and shiny. Just take your time and it'll come off! If your rings are in the grooves then good idea to tape them up, then spray rings and grooves with carb cleaner to wash out any carbon dust particles. Good Luck!

 

[mables]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

IF you have an air compressor I may have a solution it may take longer than bead blasting but will be much cheaper for you. It's a home made soda blaster, could possibly work with sand if you had enough.

http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

 

[bktheking]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

I use EZ off, always works for me.

 

[New2me]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

A crimped wire end brush on a sie grinder works well and it you do it right it will sort of polish the tops as well

 

[clifton63]

Re: Cant get carbon off piston tops

I knew there was an answer on this forum. To those who said "EZ off oven cleaner", kudos. That stuff ate it right off. You have to let it sit for several hours and it softens the carbon to where it comes off with minimal scrubbing with light wire brush. great suggestion. To future inquiriees on trying to find an answer, here it is. Do not go for the other chemicals, they don't work when trying to remove carbon scale. I am sure the wire brush trick on drill would work too, but I am lazy and want the chemicals to do the work. I also was afraid of scratching up the piston. Thanks All!