Carbon build-up! What should I do?

ep

I can see carbon on the piston tops and cylinder walls.

Will running Seafoam in the gas clean it up? Or is this going to mean I have to breakdown the motor and de-carbon?

shakari · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:08 am Post subject:

Don't know if you can buy it over there, but if you can, try a tea spoon full of Red X tipped into the spark plug hole of each cylinder and leave it overnight. Then turn the engine over a few times before starting it............ it'll smoke like hell for a few minutes but should clear quite a lot of the carbon out...... repeat if necessary.

Hope that helps.

ep · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

I wonder if that's the same as Marvel Mystery Oil?

Or race gas?

shakari · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:42 pm Post subject:

It's been commonly available in the UK forever, but I've just done a Google search and couldn't find it......... sorry I can't be of more help..... I'll keep looking though and will come back if I can find any info.

shakari · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:05 am Post subject:

Ah, found it. I was searching on the wrong name. - It's actually called Redex and it used to be marketed as Redex upper cylinder lubricant. Use the link below and even if you have to contact them for the info, you should be able to track down a dealer in your vicinity.

You want the petrol treatment product and all you do is pour a teaspoon full of the oil into each spark plug hole, leave it overnight or for a bit longer if you can, then in the morning, turn the engine over a time or two and then fire it up. - It'll smoke for a few minutes and then run fine again. Repeat if necessary etc.

I've used it for years and also sometimes used to use it for a fuel addative and can highly recommend it.

Here's the link. http://www.honeywell.com.au/business/holts/redex/rpt.html

ep · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

Got to be the same stuff as Marvel Mystery Oil.

Redex isn't going to be easy to get here. Maybe has something to do with sulphur or lead?

I would imagine MMO will do the same thing.

sr71cbx · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

Ride that 350 Honda at max RPM & speed & the carbon issues will go out the tailpipe quite nicely............ Twisted Evil

djbill · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:11 am Post subject:

or if it blows up you can put shiny new pistons....lol Wink

crazycanuck · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:25 am Post subject:

If you already have the seafoam, use it the same way as the redix.
The key is to let it sit for a while like everyone has said.
Seafoam, redix, mmo, and even naptha are all very closely related in what they are and do.
They are highly refined top level fuel, and will clear up carbon and waxy/gummy blockages.
Some have added detergents and lubricants but all will work.
Somtimes you have to run them though a couple of times.