What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

Buzz Nichols
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05 Dec 2021 10:07 #858637 by Buzz Nichols

What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon? was created by Buzz Nichols

Tore down my engine (after a cam chain guide disintegrated, but I digress) and wanted to clean up the pistons and valves. I went to the local auto parts shop and got a gallon of Berryman's Chem Dip, which I recall doing a damn fine job on carbon last time I used it—which was a while back. I guess they must have changed the formula, because it's not doing much to break down the carbon buildup at all.
Has anybody used other products (Carbon-Off, Carbon Kleen, etc) and, if so, do you have a favorite?

Thanks in advance,

Buzz

Is this thing working? Is this thing on?

1978 KZ1000 LTD

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Scirocco
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Never change a running system

05 Dec 2021 10:57 #858639 by Scirocco

Replied by Scirocco on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)

My 1975 Z 1 B 900 Project

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/605133...ears-deep-sleep-mode

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Buzz Nichols
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05 Dec 2021 10:59 #858640 by Buzz Nichols

Replied by Buzz Nichols on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

MEK wouldn't have occurred to me—plus it's something I've got on hand for paint cleanup.

Thanks!

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1978 KZ1000 LTD

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Nessism
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05 Dec 2021 11:34 #858644 by Nessism

Replied by Nessism on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

If MEK doesn't work I'd go back to the carb dip, but this time leave the parts in the sauce for a longer time. How long did you leave it anyway?

Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0

www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know

1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread

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Mikaw
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05 Dec 2021 11:54 #858645 by Mikaw

Replied by Mikaw on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

I’ve had good luck with Berrymans. As Nessism mentioned patients is your friend. Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of these before I started. The fugly one is after a couple of soaks and gentle scrubbing with a brass wire brush. The clean pic is the finished product.

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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Buzz Nichols
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05 Dec 2021 13:49 #858649 by Buzz Nichols

Replied by Buzz Nichols on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

Left them in for a couple hours without much results, then 24 hours with a little better results. Finally, after another 24 hours and a good deal of elbow grease, they cam out pretty okay. I recall this stuff working better than that, but maybe I had more patience when I was younger.

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1978 KZ1000 LTD

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Mikaw
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05 Dec 2021 16:20 #858654 by Mikaw

Replied by Mikaw on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

I was reading on a gunsmith forum that they recommend piston Kleen. It’s used to get carbon out of the inside corners where the land meet the grooves. I have never tried it.

orisonmarketing.com/products/piston-kleen ™

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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hardrockminer
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05 Dec 2021 17:47 - 05 Dec 2021 17:47 #858655 by hardrockminer

Replied by hardrockminer on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

I just cleaned up a set of pistons and valves in my ultrasonic cleaner. I use a detergent from Caswell. Works good. Takes about an hour.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

Last edit: 05 Dec 2021 17:47 by hardrockminer.

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katit
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05 Dec 2021 19:35 #858663 by katit

Replied by katit on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

Soda- blasting

78 KZ650B2A - resto in progress
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/615161...s-1978-kz650-project
Other bikes: 1978 BMW R100/7, 1978 Moto Guzzi T3, 2016 DRZ400s

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daveo
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05 Dec 2021 23:12 #858671 by daveo

Replied by daveo on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

WD40 and gentle elbow grease

1982 KZ1100-A2

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Kidkawie
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I bleed premix

06 Dec 2021 01:47 #858673 by Kidkawie

Replied by Kidkawie on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

Ive rebuilt tons of two strokes so Im used to carbon buildup. Years ago it was Permatex spray gasket remover but they changed it around 2006. Spray oven cleaner works just as good. Spray it on, let it sit for a bit then clean. Follow up with mineral spirits.

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

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z1kzonly
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06 Dec 2021 11:56 #858686 by z1kzonly

Replied by z1kzonly on topic What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

I started this 15 yrs ago here! Marvels Mystery Oil! Mixed with either lacquer thinner? Acetone or Mineral spirits!
I always used Lacquer because I had it as a painter! It does evaporate as it sits.
but only way! Scrub it off with nylon, plastic, soft abrasives!
then media blast with fine glass beads!
I’ve only been doing this for 40 yrs.
Carbon on Valves! Tops of pistons!
clean them 1st. Whatever? I’m old and done! Worked for me! You need Air! And tools & equipment! At least this is me! What I did for the past 45 yrs.

Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!

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What's your favorite solvent for cleaning carbon?

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