Cleaning rock hard carbon off pulled engine valves. What's the best method?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Cleaning rock hard carbon off pulled engine valves. What's the best method?
I have the valves out of the engine and really need to clean up the carbon and deposits that are caked on them. I would like to do this at home myself with general tools and solvents. I soaked them in lacquer over night but the deposits are still rock hard. I did try a little steel wool and that did nothing.
Would a drill with wire brush be to harsh? Would a hand wire brush be better to use?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
Would a drill with wire brush be to harsh? Would a hand wire brush be better to use?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
#2
Melting Slicks
I use a bench grinder with a wire wheel - quick and easy!
#3
Racer
I have the valves out of the engine and really need to clean up the carbon and deposits that are caked on them. I would like to do this at home myself with general tools and solvents. I soaked them in lacquer over night but the deposits are still rock hard. I did try a little steel wool and that did nothing.
Would a drill with wire brush be to harsh? Would a hand wire brush be better to use?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
Would a drill with wire brush be to harsh? Would a hand wire brush be better to use?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
Compared to the environment those valves live in!! I'd say, no...
#4
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
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Bench grinder with a wire wheel. Fast and easy, and no damage to the valves.
Lars
Lars
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
OK, I have no bench grinder. I do have some drills with the metal wire wheel attachments. It may take longer but at least it will get the job done.
Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the advice.
#7
Race Director
Heres a way
Using one valve, strike the other where the carbon has built up on the head of the valve. This will knock most of the carbon off since you dont have a grinder or glass bead cabinet...You will not hurt either valve by doing this procedure. However you don't have to be outrageously aggressive either.....
#10
Instructor
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Killearn Scotland
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Clamp your drill in a vice, put a valve in the drill (stem first obviously), run the drill and use an old screwdriver to remove the deposits from the spinning valve.
Clean up and polish the valve with emery paper.
Wear gloves and goggles if the safety police are watching.
Clean up and polish the valve with emery paper.
Wear gloves and goggles if the safety police are watching.
#11
Safety Car
For a solvent to soften up the deposits, go to you local Lowe's or HD and pick up some paint stripper. The methylene chloride in the stripper does an excellent job of cutting the deposits.
#12
Drifting
#13
Team Owner
If you have heads removed with many miles of use, take them to a rebuilder for clean-up, 3-angle valve regrind, new springs, new valves, new seals and keepers. Cleaning the carbon off the valves and putting it all back together is NOT what you want to do.