Team Camaro Tech banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Cylinder deposit cleaning recommendations

Jump to Latest
1 - 16 of 16 Posts

SirSpeedsAlot67

· Registered
1967 RS/SS Custom 350 SBC M21
Joined
·
84 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hey all,

Has anyone had good luck with autostore mainstream or professional strength fuel or carb/IM additives that actually work on removing cylinder and piston head carbon? I have a noticeable amount on all piston heads and valves that I’m concerned may eventually result in pre-ignition. I’m already having small run on problems. I’ve put two cans of seafoam in the fuel (2oz per gal) and another can in the intake but haven’t noticed any difference. Was going to look at the more potent professional grade stuff but interested in any recs. I’ve retuned the carb so it isn’t running so rich anymore but unfortunately this is how I got the engine from the previous owner. Going the easy route before having to pull the heads off and clean the piston/valves (355 SBC) . Thanks y’all.

Below is what I’m working with:


Image

Image
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
Even dribbling water down the carb while engine is running at increased RPM's will remove carbon from the tops of pistons and the the combustion chamber. Don't pour it in too fast, you don't want to stall the engine out. The water turns to steam and loosens carbon deposits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Steve69SS396, fairfax1000 and SirSpeedsAlot67
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#4 ·
ZZ_430 said:
We used this at the GM dealerships, it works very, very well.

Pour it down the carb at a fast idle until it stalls. Let it sit over night and watch the smoke roll upon start up!

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: ACDelco GM Original Equipment 10-3015 Engine Cylinder/Combustion Chamber Cleaner - 32 oz : Automotive

Amazon.com: ACDelco GM Original Equipment 10-3015 Engine Cylinder/Combustion Chamber Cleaner - 32 oz : Automotive
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
I find it interesting you mentioned this as it brought back old school memories...
I was a 17 in '76 and had a 70 1/2 Camaro that I noticed when I ran through the gears at high rpm's in the rearview i could see what appeared to be a brown colored smoke/dust behind me. At the time I was working at Barrier-Beck Pontiac in Charlotte, NC as a service runner. I mentioned this to one of the mechanics that I had become to know. Since it was the end of the day he told me to pull it in his bay. After I pulled it in he said leave it running, gave me a 16oz. Pepsi bottle and said go fill up with water from the water cooler. Now, I had no idea what he was about to do, but I trusted him. He removed the breather top, grabbed the throttle arm and started slowly pouring the water in my carburetor as he feathered the throttle. I about crapped my pants as I wasn't expecting this and could only imagine he was killing my motor. Once he had poured about half the bottle in the carb he said go stand behind the car. I did so and he started revving it hard and I could feel the carbon (or at least thought I did) coming from out of the exhaust pipes. It worked...

Another old school trick is to pour automatic transmission fluid on the carb. Be aware it smokes like you wouldn't believe. My son gets a kick out of the old school way we did things!
 
#5 ·
dyno jonn said:
Even dribbling water down the carb while engine is running at increased RPM's will remove carbon from the tops of pistons and the the combustion chamber. Don't pour it in too fast, you don't want to stall the engine out. The water turns to steam and loosens carbon deposits.
Click to expand...
You can also damage a component if you go too fast. …use a spray bottle. If you’ve ever seen a piston that’s been subject to a head gasket leak you know. You can also use ATF .
 
#6 ·
396 SS/RS said:
I find it interesting you mentioned this as it brought back old school memories...
I was a 17 in '76 and had a 70 1/2 Camaro that I noticed when I ran through the gears at high rpm's in the rearview i could see what appeared to be a brown colored smoke/dust behind me. At the time I was working at Barrier-Beck Pontiac in Charlotte, NC as a service runner. I mentioned this to one of the mechanics that I had become to know. Since it was the end of the day he told me to pull it in his bay. After I pulled it in he said leave it running, gave me a 16oz. Pepsi bottle and said go fill up with water from the water cooler. Now, I had no idea what he was about to do, but I trusted him. He removed the breather top, grabbed the throttle arm and started slowly pouring the water in my carburetor as he feathered the throttle. I about crapped my pants as I wasn't expecting this and could only imagine he was killing my motor. Once he had poured about half the bottle in the carb he said go stand behind the car. I did so and he started revving it hard and I could feel the carbon (or at least thought I did) coming from out of the exhaust pipes. It worked...

Another old school trick is to pour automatic transmission fluid on the carb. Be aware it smokes like you wouldn't believe. My son gets a kick out of the old school way we did things!
Click to expand...
I know it sounds like a perfect way to hydro-lock a motor.

I felt the same way on the first dozen or so cars I used the GM Top Engine Cleaner...pouring liquid down the intake until it stalls sounds crazy. But it does insure the combustion chambers and top of the pistons get a full treatment. Letting it sit for hours after is important.

All I can say is you can't argue with success. I couldn't even count how many cars I did using that method. Just don't overdo it.
 
#7 ·
ZZ_430 said:
I know it sounds like a perfect way to hydro-lock a motor.

I felt the same way on the first dozen or so cars I used the GM Top Engine Cleaner...pouring liquid down the intake until it stalls sounds crazy. But it does insure the combustion chambers and top of the pistons get a full treatment. Letting it sit for hours after is important.

All I can say is you can't argue with success. I couldn't even count how many cars I did using that method. Just don't overdo it.
Click to expand...
You can use the old G/M top engine cleaner or you can get a spray bottle pour water and some Marvel Mystery oilSHAKE it up till it mixes and spray down the carb while reving the engine. that will clean it out. This is old school and pre catalitic converter. Alex
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
ZZ_430 said:
I know it sounds like a perfect way to hydro-lock a motor.

I felt the same way on the first dozen or so cars I used the GM Top Engine Cleaner...pouring liquid down the intake until it stalls sounds crazy. But it does insure the combustion chambers and top of the pistons get a full treatment. Letting it sit for hours after is important.

All I can say is you can't argue with success. I couldn't even count how many cars I did using that method. Just don't overdo it.
Click to expand...
I'm liking the back in the day stories with this stuff, hopefully I can get the same luck. I'll give the ACDelco GM top end cleaner a go and then get some water and ATF mix into a spray bottle and try that and then take more shots with the borescope and do a comparison. Should I even be concerned based on the images with the little amount of carbon that has built up? Doesn't seem too severe to me but I do want to play it safe. If there's any concern with pre-ignition and the cleaners don't work good enough ill rip those heads off and do a proper cleaning.
 
#9 ·
Personally I would leave it alone. Even though its kind of hard to tell from your borescope pics it really does not look bad at all. I would drive it for a while and check it again.

If you do decide to use the GM Top engine cleaner be forwarned that it makes a cloud of smoke that will cover your entire neighborhood :)
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
BillK said:
Personally I would leave it alone. Even though its kind of hard to tell from your borescope pics it really does not look bad at all. I would drive it for a while and check it again.

If you do decide to use the GM Top engine cleaner be forwarned that it makes a cloud of smoke that will cover your entire neighborhood :)
Click to expand...
Hey Bill, sorry I should have just ran them through the laptop and uploaded. These are a little better. And yes I'm sure it will make a mess but I'm not too worried about the neighbors and there's no HOA here thank god. 😅

Cylinder 2 before:
Image

Image


Borescope video:


Cylinder 3 before:
Image


Bore video:

 

Attachments

#14 ·
A while back I emailed seafoam support asking about this and the tech guy got back to me and said do the typical stuff, gas tank and carb, but he also said pull the plugs and shoot some in the actual combustion chamber and let it sit overnight. Then start it, run it, and then change the oil and filter. I didn’t have the guts to try his third method.
 
#15 ·
396 SS/RS said:
I find it interesting you mentioned this as it brought back old school memories...
I was a 17 in '76 and had a 70 1/2 Camaro that I noticed when I ran through the gears at high rpm's in the rearview i could see what appeared to be a brown colored smoke/dust behind me. At the time I was working at Barrier-Beck Pontiac in Charlotte, NC as a service runner. I mentioned this to one of the mechanics that I had become to know. Since it was the end of the day he told me to pull it in his bay. After I pulled it in he said leave it running, gave me a 16oz. Pepsi bottle and said go fill up with water from the water cooler. Now, I had no idea what he was about to do, but I trusted him. He removed the breather top, grabbed the throttle arm and started slowly pouring the water in my carburetor as he feathered the throttle. I about crapped my pants as I wasn't expecting this and could only imagine he was killing my motor. Once he had poured about half the bottle in the carb he said go stand behind the car. I did so and he started revving it hard and I could feel the carbon (or at least thought I did) coming from out of the exhaust pipes. It worked...

Another old school trick is to pour automatic transmission fluid on the carb. Be aware it smokes like you wouldn't believe. My son gets a kick out of the old school way we did things!
Click to expand...
Years ago we always filled the fuel filters with ATF when we changed them on Caterpillar or any brand for that matter of our earth moving fleet. Cleaned all the carbon deposits, kept the engines clean and running great. In the really old non turbo charged engines you knew it was clean when under full load it made a beautiful perfectly peaked blue flame out of the exhaust stack at night. It was really cool looking. Poured a many gallon in the fuel tanks as well. Have used sea foam in my Jeep Wrangler.
 
#16 ·
I have used SeaFoam. They have a spray can. Just put the hose in the carb and hold the button down. I hold the idle about 1800 RPM or so. When the can is empty take the car for a spirited drive then change the plugs.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
About this Discussion
15 Replies
13 Participants
Last post:
SS Performance
Team Camaro Tech
posts
2.4M
members
90K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to 1st generation Chevy Camaros owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, restoration, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Engine Body Shop Performance Brakes, Suspension & Steering