No Decarb available in Australia ??

Franki · Mar 19, 2002

Hi Guys.. I have been madly hunting for some engine decarb to run through my Johnson before I do a compression test. I have been to two marine shops and asked around alot and noone knows what I am talking about. I was told not to worry about carbon buildup.. which I think is kinda a stupid thing to tell me, but two different outboard mechs at two seperate places told me that. The closest thing I could find was a can of OMC "engine tunup" which I think was a spray can.. is that the stuff?? If there anything that would be available at a car place? (I ask cos there are not alot of two stroke cars

Any other names of products I should look into ? any suggestions would be much appreciated. regards Frank Perth Western Australia.

JB · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

G'Day, Frank. I shall now reveal one of the "oldtimers secrets", so pay attention and don't miss a word. If you do this wrong you can trash your engine. I will not be responsible for the results. Crank your engine on the "ears" and get it fully warmed up. With a spray bottle, spray a small amount of water (yes, H2O) into your carb intakes while running the engine at about half throttle. If the engine starts to gag, that's too much. You should get both smoke and steam from the exhaust. Continue this until there is only steam (white) from the exhaust. Run the engine for another five or ten minutes to clear any leftover water from the crankcase, cylinder, etc. You should now have a clean engine. Red sky at night. . . JB

clanton · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Part number 771299 engine tuner in spray can, follow instruction on can.

novacane · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

80% methonal 10% transmission fluid 5% 2 stroke oil 5% secert ingridant (thats the bull**** ) = decarb bingo you made it your self most that stuff moslty acohol good luck

Franki · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Hi Mr JB... Thanks, I have heard of the water treatment before.. but never tried it, makes me nervous the whole "water doesn't compress" thing,, always worried that I'd put in to much and a rod would exit stage left.. still, maybe its time to bite the bullet and give it a go.. Novacane methonol is not that easy to source either.. and it takes to long to make your own..

Would the tranny fluid be the real active ingredient?? due to the high detergents? I heard that the detergents in desel can be good for this too? any other thoughts people? if not, I'll probably go really slow with the water treatment.. JB, do you do the water treatment on your own engines?? have you done it alot over the years and its always been effective? how does it work? kindest regards Frank

JB · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Hi, Frank. It has been a long time since I had a 2 stroke that needed it, but I used to do it annually to my 15, 20, 25 and 150 Johnsons. I do not intend to do it to my 4 strokes, but When the Yammy 130 needs it, she will get it. It works better than the safe, non-soak sprays. The danger is theoretical. I have never actually seen an engine harmed by it, but I only saw it done to warm engines that were run for a while afterward to "dry out" the innards. Others here may have different experience. The engine would die long before you could get enough water into it to create a hydraudlic lock and break something. If you are running proper mix, all of the crancase parts have a film of hot oil on them and shouldn't be wetted by a fine mist. When this is at work, it is not water, but steam that cleans your piston, head, sparkplug, etc. If you have doubts, don't try it. Red sky at night. . . JB

Franki · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

If you tell me it can be done and its not dangerous if done properly, then I will, give it a go.. thanks mr JB.. my plan is to do this once every year or two,, and use the cleanest oil I can find, and maybe run the omc engine tuner through it every now and then.. I figure if I can get it close to spotless, it should be easier to keep it that way.. rgds Frank

12Footer · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

I just wanted to chime-in ,and vouch for the method J.B. described. My father used to do that to all the outboards he ever used,just before we would reach the ramp or slip. He would dip his hands into the cooler,and dangle them in front of the carbs. This was 35 years ago. When I asked him why he did that, he would tell me the engine "needed a drink", or "the engine is thirsty". I did not learn the real reason until last year,right here on iboats. But i still use "ValvTect Marine engine Decarb Cleaner". But people have done the water thing since i was knee-high to a grasshopper

DJ · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

JB's method will work. The real key though is to MAKE SURE YOU KEEP RUNNING IT FOR A WHILE. You do not want to leave any moisture in the crankcase.

Franki · Mar 19, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Thankyou all, I plan to try the water thing,, I love old timer tricks, they always do a good job and usually don't cost much or anything, (as is the case here.) Thanks for all the suggestions. One little question, is high pressure steam bad for the plugs? should I change them afterwards? rgds Frank

JB · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

G'Day Frank. The steam usually cleans the plugs, too, unless there are a lot of non-carbon deposits. Usually no need to change them. Red sky at night. . . JB

Franki · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Thanks Mr JB.. I am looking forward to doing it.. got the water spray bottle all ready, pulled the shroud off the carbs.. all ready to go. One think I am not sure about.. should I spray in one carb throat at a time ?? (its a V4) or spray evenly in all of them at the same time? rgds Frank

JB · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

I don't think it matters, Frank. On my 150 I sprayed all three pretty much at the same time. Red sky at night. . . JB

Franki · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Ok, Thanks JB.. Tomorrows the big day then,, so if I have this straight. 1. start motor on water muffs. 2. Get it fully warmed up and thermo open. 3. Spray water from spray bottle down the throats of all carbs, up to the point (or just before) it starts bogging down the motor. 4. Continue this till all excess smoke stops and only steam is seen exiting the exhaust. 5. Stop spraying water and let engine run for 5-10 minutes or long enough to evaporate all water in the crankcase/engine. Sound right to you sir??? rgds Frank

butlp · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Frank, Don't forget to have the throttle half open! Please let us know how it went! Peter

Pursuit2150 · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Franki- Do yourself a (BIG FAVOR) use the OMC Tuneup! You will sleep better!!That's why OMC made the stuff. It goes along with trying to cut corners,save a buck,and then. "What do I do now??" Any water in the carbs is going to cost you long run,if we could run on water vs. gas, there would be a lot more boats sold. Omc recommends not to run above 1500rpm!!!

novacane · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

CALLED STEAM CLEANIN NOT PUTTIN WATER IN YOUR TANKS EVER DO A HEAD GASKET AND THE LEAKY CYLINDER WAS SPIT SHINED

petryshyn · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

I've used water to remove combustion chamber carbon in auto engines for years. It does a reasonable job on piston tops and combustion chambers, but I don't believe it'll clean ring lands, and thats where a lot of problems start. The reason water works is because it expands at a fast rate when heated enough to converts from liquid to a vapour. This gives a spike in cylinder pressure and fractures brittel carbon from the impact. The second ring land would be shielded from the pressure spike by the top compression ring, thus no cleaning effect. Thats where a chemical cleaner will shine. Water injection was sold as an aftermarket horsepower improver for auto engines. just my .01 cents worth......

DJ · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

Schematic makes a good point about the "steam" not reaching past the top piston ring. He's also right about water being a great performance enhancer. Almost all WWII high performance aircraft engines used water injection for takeoff. It helped calm down the combustion process on overboosted engines.

Franki · Mar 20, 2002

Re: No Decarb available in Australia ??

By the same token, a Steam clean will make the chemical treatment more effective as well.. so thats what I will do.. first steam, and then chemical. rgds Frank

No Decarb available in Australia ??

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Honorary Moderator Emeritus

Rear Admiral

Seaman

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Honorary Moderator Emeritus

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Fleet Admiral

DJ

Guest

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Honorary Moderator Emeritus

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Honorary Moderator Emeritus

Lieutenant Junior Grade

Petty Officer 1st Class

Chief Petty Officer

Seaman

Commander

DJ

Guest

Lieutenant Junior Grade