What's the most efficient way of cleaning all the crusty c**p out of the ports in my cylinder head,valves etc?

Question

It's an old bike and hasn't been particularly well maintained so there's a lot of hard crusty stuff in the ports and on the back of the valves. Is there a solvent that'll shift it or is it a case of scraping it away bit by bit? I don't want to damage the valve seats.

Answer 1

soak the b*****d in a good strong mix of caustic soda overnight its an old tried and tested method ,at the very least it will loosen the c**p and make the job a lot easier.

Answer 2

If the engine is together and running -

You can purchase deCarbon fluid at auto parts stores.

I've used just plain water with great success.

Keep spraying a fine mist of water into the air box side of the carburetor while the engine is held at high RPMs

Use a spray bottle like "Windex"

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/...

If the engine is apart - wire wheel as much as you can and scrape the rest.

Answer 3

Ultrasonic cleaning mate. A friend of mines bought one for his business and it's great. Have a look here:

http://www.ultrawave.co.uk/news.php?id=2...

...then go rent/buy or send out to a company who's got one. They're the Daddy.

Answer 4

Buy or hire a porting tool..........

http://ccspecialtytool.com/

Sorry, just realsied that's a US site, try this one.........

http://www.btinternet.com/~eric.guy/port...

Answer 5

That's carbon. Best way to clean it if you don't have access to a glass beader, just regular brake cleaner. It'll take awhile and a couple cans probably, but it'll take it off for you

Answer 6

i use caustic soda and a tooth brush...

Answer 7

you can get special valve grinding paste from your local motorist shop along with a suction cup tool to grind in the valves

Answer 8

If the exhaust pipes are off, I use a small round brass wire brush that you fit onto the end of a drill.  Not the type shaped like a wheel, but rather like a shaving brush.  They come in several different sizes and one fit perfectly into the port of my bike.  I was really surprised at how good of a job it did.  It will also do a pretty good job with the crud on the valves also.  However, brass or not, I wouldn't use the brush on the valve seats themselves.

Answer 9

carb cleaner works just fine,in combination with a wire (brass)brush on a dremel tool