Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

[lakelivin]

I saw the post in the FAQ section about decarbing an engine. ( http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000016 )<br /><br />Would this be a worthwhile exercise for me to do on my '89 4.3L OMC (450 hours)? It's never been done since I've had the boat (11 years) nor have I done anything to clean the carb. Boat still is running fine, but wondering if this might be worthwhile doing before I install new plugs for the season. Any possible negative effects w.r.t. gaskets, seals, etc. on an engine that old?<br /><br />If the answer is 'yes' to decarbing, should I use SeaFoam Deep Creep as in the FAQ or are there other options you would recommend?<br /><br />Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

Traditional decarbing, as is done on two-strokes, is not as necessary on four strokes as no oil is not being consumed in the combustion process and hence "less" carbon buildup. That said however, you will hurt nothing by decarbing. SeaFoam is a good choice. After decarbing, adding SeaFoam or similar fuel treatments with every other tank of fuel is beneficial as it keeps the fuel and induction system clean.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

It sounds to me like another way to seperate folks from some cash. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[tommays]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

i thought it might be a good thing on an older 4 stroke but if you visit there web site they make so many claims about what it can be used for i found it to be more like SNAKE OIL than a real product<br /><br />tommays

 

[Lou C]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

I have used Techron made by Chevron with good results on my car engines. I have not used it in the boat but I am considering it, since boat motors run rich and cooler than car engines, both of which are going to make them prone to carbon build up. First I will ask the mechanic at my shop to see what he thinks.

 

[trog100]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

i go for the snake oil and if it aint broke dont fix it theory..<br /><br />trog100

 

[weatherz]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

I have used Berryman b-12 Chemtool for 20+ years in my vehicles and boats and have never had injector problems. Good stuff, cheap insurance. I have rebuilt and adjusted more than my share of carbs though.

 

[trog100]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

odd this "decarb" thing cos many years ago it was considered something u had to do every so often.. <br /><br />it involved the head comimg off.. carbon removing.. valves ground in.. new valve springs.. new valve seals.. it was just part of routine maintainance..<br /><br />now its been almost forgotten about..<br /><br />trog100

 

[KaGee]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

Originally posted by sea wolf:<br /> It sounds to me like another way to seperate folks from some cash. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Sea Wolf says it all as does Tommays.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

The thought came to me because the process is listed in the FAQ section (linked above), which I assume the mods have reserve for tried, tested, and useful procedures. <br /><br />As far as 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' theory, while I agree in general, I'm wondering if this might be more akin to preventative maintenance, like occasionally cleaning electrical connections before they get to the point of causing problems. Preventative maintenance might be the wrong analogy; perhaps a better one would be something like cleaning your boats bottom occasionally to maintain optimum performance (although I recognize decarbing would be at an interval of many years).<br /><br />Regarding the claims of SeaFoam, while I disapprove of misleading or overstated advertising in general, in this case I wouldn't care if they claim to be able to cure warts & hemorrhoids, as long as the product worked for decarbing. I'd be open to any product that accomplished the task, SeaFoam just happened to be the one mentioned in the decarbing FAQ post. <br /><br />This is such a small investment ($6 and a half hours time), if there's a decent chance of some benefit and no risk of damage seems like it might be worthwhile.<br /><br />I'd love to hear the thoughts of some of the 'oldtime professionals' like Don or Rodbolt.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

The thought came to me because the process is listed in the FAQ section (linked above), which I assume the mods have reserve for tried, tested, and useful procedures.

The 6th line down in the FAQ doesn't actually Say Outboards,.. But It Is Implied......<br />

I'd be open to any product that accomplished the task, SeaFoam just happened to be the one mentioned in the decarbing FAQ post. <br />

If All you're trying to do is, remove the carbon build-up on the pistons,+ heads,.............<br />Use Water,....... It's Free........<br /><br />Bring the engine up to operating Temp........<br />Increase the RPMs to about 1200/1500rpms.........<br />Pour about 16oz.s(I use a rinsed soda bottle) of Water Down the Carb. Throat.... Fast enough to cause the engine to Stumble+ Labor,.. But Not Stall...... <br /><br />I Guarantee that there'll be No Carbon in the combustion chambers... And, Very Little left in the exhaust system either........<br />The Tops of the Pistons, The Combustion Chambers,+ the Sparkplugs will Look as Clean as the day they were New....................<br /><br />I've been doing this for Years,... Just Before I tear-down an engine for repairs, or a rebuild........

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> The 6th line down in the FAQ doesn't actually Say Outboards,.. But It Is Implied......<br />

There are two FAQ posts on decarbing; when you say 6 lines down, do you mean "This works for Carbed, EFI, Ficht, HPDI, Opti-max and even 4-strokes" from the "B. DECARBING FAQ" post? If so, I did get that the post applied to outboards. In the second post, "Decarbing Your Engine- The Decarb Process" it wasn't clear to me that outboards were implied...<br /> <br />

If All you're trying to do is, remove the carbon build-up on the pistons,+ heads,.............<br />Use Water,....... It's Free........<br />....................<br />I've been doing this for Years,... Just Before I tear-down an engine for repairs, or a rebuild ........

Based on the line I bolded above, is your advice to use water facetious ? Sorry I've gotta ask, but I really am that ig'nant when it comes to engines, lol.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

There are two FAQ posts on decarbing; when you say 6 lines down, do you mean "This works for Carbed, EFI, Ficht, HPDI, Opti-max and even 4-strokes" from the "B. DECARBING FAQ" post? If so, I did get that the post applied to outboards. In the second post, "Decarbing Your Engine- The Decarb Process" it wasn't clear to me that outboards were implied...

A) Yes.......<br />B) Roscoe's post IS alot less clear,.. I didn't see that 1.........<br />

is your advice to use water facetious

No,..... I'm very Serious...........<br /><br />I 1st found this Idea or Procedure in a British Leyland Shop Manual for an Austin Mini I had back in the late 60s.......<br />And,... I've used it ever since.........<br /><br />It literaly Steam Cleans the inside of the combustion chamber..............

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

Ok, I believe ya, but you gotta admit: when you read back that last line in your first post it is pretty funny!

 

[trog100]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

did u scale up the amount of water bondo bearing in mind that the early mini engine was only 850cc.. he he<br /><br />i might try chucking a bottle into my engine the next time i fire it up.. dosnt need to be distilled does it.. he he he..<br /><br />bit surprised that only one bottle does the trick thow.. i would have thought a few repeat treatments would have been needed..<br /><br />trog100

 

[Bondo]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

when you read back that last line in your first post it is pretty funny!

OK,..... If you're Not a Motorhead, I can understand............<br />But,.. If you've Ever tried to clean up a used piston, to reuse it........ <br />Then You'd Understand.......... <br /><br />trog,....<br />1 pint of Water,.... Any Water,.. Will clean Anything from a 850cc Mini motor to a 572cid Cadilac motor.........<br />Using a Qt. or a Gallon will Not Hurt anything,....<br />Go ahead,+ use as much as you'd like.....<br /><br />Just Don't stand near the end of the tailpipe....<br />The Cloud of $h!t will Scare you..........

 

[trog100]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

i have an old saab car car bondo.. old saabs are known for the head gasket corroding away tween the waterway and the cylinder.. takes em a few years but they all do it in the end.. last year mine went on me.. during the last ten miles of my trip.. on three cylinders with huge clouds of steam comiing out the exhaust frequent stops to top up from roadside puddles i made it home..<br /><br />when i replaced the head gasket the next day the piston and combustion chamber was as clean as a new pin.. he he he.. it did have about two or three gallons pumped thru it thow..<br /><br />now i know a pint will do the same i might make it part of my regular maintaniance.. he he <br /><br />trog100<br /><br />ps.. it also caused a slight worry after i had done the job.. cos it took a good half hour engine running before the steam clouds stopped coming out the exhaust.. this as i thought was just water that had built up in the exhaust system.. did have me worried for a while thow.. he he

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

Originally posted by Bondo:<br />

when you read back that last line in your first post it is pretty funny!

OK,..... If you're Not a Motorhead, I can understand............<br />But,.. If you've Ever tried to clean up a used piston, to reuse it........ <br />Then You'd Understand.......... <br />

Bondo, I'm definately not a motorhead, and I meant funny in the folowing respect: if this was something that would cause a breakdown, and was really obvious to anyone who knows anything about engines (which I don't), it might inspire a facetious response that sounded just like your last line. i.e., the procedure would cause the need for the rebuild or engine breakdown. Probably need to be pretty ig'nant about engines (like me) to appreciate how it might be funny in that way. <br /><br />Thanks for your input.

 

[trog100]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

the idea of deliberately pouring nasty water in your nice engine would be "heresy" to most none motor heads lakelivin.. most folks do their damnest to keep the stuff out.. its not surprising u had to clarify the statement..<br /><br />that puts us back to whether or not seafoam is any good.. he he <br /><br />trog100

 

[KaGee]

Re: Decarbing an '89 4.3L OMC. Worthwhile?

Learn somthin new every day around here. Bondo is my hero!