OT: Carbon on pistons

May 10, 2006 5 Replies

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Ed 20 years ago

Some may remember a few weeks ago a '98 Isuzu Amigo with ruptured coolant hose and temperature gage in the red line for an unknown time. Well, I finally pulled the cylinder head - block and head are well within warpage limits, but when I pulled the head I saw a lot of carbon on the pistons that is mostly soft - my finger nail easily removed a test swath.

Comments requested on cleaning the pistons in the block: Do you think it's OK to rotate the pistons to TDC and use a soft bristle brush to clean the carbon and vacuum out any debris.

Also, some cylinder head gasket material fell into the head mounting bolt holes along with some engine oil. I was thinking of using a turkey baster to remove the material and/or putting some kind of oil filter(s) on my shop vac to remove the debris before running a tap to ensure the threads are clean. Any ideas?

I'm sure the regulars will respond with sound advice and thank you in advance, but don't want to name names lest I forget a significant contributor.

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Max Dodge 20 years ago

Yup. Use a vacuum to remove loose carbon from the area between piston and cylinder wall.

Um, yeah, yours..... go with it, its a decent idea. Not sure how the turkey baster will work, but a vacuum and a small pick will get all debris out that are worth the time.

Do not use a tap to clear the threads. This can open the threads too much. There are thread clearing tools out there, Snap On has some. Or use a head bolt and run it in an back it out. If it spins in fairly easily, no tight spots, you have no problems.

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Big Al 20 years ago

I use a large wet or dry vacuum cleaner to get the coolant and oil out of everything.

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sqdancerLynn 20 years ago

Get a can of air duster and blow the crap out the bolt holes. Vacuum out as much of the crap as you can

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Christopher Thompson 20 years ago

if you have an air compressor and a blower you can hold a rag around the top of the bolt hole and blow the oil/trash out of the hole. becareful though as if you stand in the wrong spot you will get a little dirty *grin*

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