Piston Ring Cleaner
#1
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 845
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From: Northern California, Redding
Car: Red 1987 IROC Convertible
Engine: 305 LB9 TPI
Transmission: T5 5-Speed
Axle/Gears: 9-Bolt 3.45
Piston Ring Cleaner
Would it be smart to use a piston ring cleaning solvent on an engine that has 150k mi. on it?
I have currently removed all the spark plugs, and have previously cleaned all the carbon deposits from the piston tops when I removed the heads recently.
I think that GM sells a product p/n 12378549 specifically for this purpose. I think you squirt it into the spark plug holes and let it soak for a couple of hours before cranking the engine to blow it back out the holes.
Good idea/bad idea?
I have currently removed all the spark plugs, and have previously cleaned all the carbon deposits from the piston tops when I removed the heads recently.
I think that GM sells a product p/n 12378549 specifically for this purpose. I think you squirt it into the spark plug holes and let it soak for a couple of hours before cranking the engine to blow it back out the holes.
Good idea/bad idea?
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,763
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Car: 1982 Trans-Am
Engine: 355 w/ ported 416s
Transmission: T10, hurst shifter
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, true-trac, 3.73
Re: Piston Ring Cleaner
That's a new product on me...?
Personally i'd be wary about fixing a non-existant problem. You might cause other problems.
If it were me, what i'd do is this.
After getting home from a long drive, so the car is good and hot, disconnect a vacuum line and stick it into a jug of blue windshield washer antifreeze, and hold the RPM up to about 2500RPM. Let it drink about a liter or two. It'll puff blue and black and all kinds of gunk out the tailpipe. But you're essentially steam cleaning the chambers. A lot cheaper than your $30 bottle of piston/ring cleaner.
Personally i'd be wary about fixing a non-existant problem. You might cause other problems.
If it were me, what i'd do is this.
After getting home from a long drive, so the car is good and hot, disconnect a vacuum line and stick it into a jug of blue windshield washer antifreeze, and hold the RPM up to about 2500RPM. Let it drink about a liter or two. It'll puff blue and black and all kinds of gunk out the tailpipe. But you're essentially steam cleaning the chambers. A lot cheaper than your $30 bottle of piston/ring cleaner.
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
From: Northern California, Redding
Car: Red 1987 IROC Convertible
Engine: 305 LB9 TPI
Transmission: T5 5-Speed
Axle/Gears: 9-Bolt 3.45
Re: Piston Ring Cleaner
It's called "GM Top Engine Cleaner". The reason that I am considering this is that there was a thick coat of hard carbon build up on the piston tops. I cleaned all of that off 2K mi. ago, but I suspect that the ring grooves are carboned as well.
#4
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,763
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Car: 1982 Trans-Am
Engine: 355 w/ ported 416s
Transmission: T10, hurst shifter
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, true-trac, 3.73
Re: Piston Ring Cleaner
OH ok, I thought the top engine cleaner was more for TB and intake manifold.
I'd try the home-brew steam cleaner first. When it's hot it tends to clean better. This way won't give any chunks falling off getting caught either.
I'd try the home-brew steam cleaner first. When it's hot it tends to clean better. This way won't give any chunks falling off getting caught either.
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