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!

I use a bench grinder with a wire wheel - quick and easy!

Compared to the environment those valves live in!! I'd say, no... ;)

Bench grinder with a wire wheel. Fast and easy, and no damage to the valves. :thumbs:

Lars

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.

I also use a bench grinder. I have a brass wire wheel. Works great!:thumbs:

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.....:D

On really bad valves I put them in a drill press and use a flat blade screw driver as a gouge.

I'm going to go and purchase a bench grinder. Cleaning the valves by hand is a PITA!

Thanks for the info.

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.

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.

New valves are cheaper...but then you don't get a new toy for the shop!

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.