Decarbing a high mileage yukon

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RED TAHOE LS

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In earlier years, before the 350 cu in was even thought of, engines were higher compression NON FI (EXCEPT CORVETTE) and carbon was a real problem. GM made a pint can of TOP ENGINE CLEANER that was poured slowly in the carb @ 2,000 rpm until the engine began to stall, then you dumped the can to stall the engine. The car would be left OFF for a couple of hours to soak. This would loosen carbon and when started would smoke up the area but would correct any build up and knocking sound. I'm sure GM has a similar product.
David g...........:2cents:
 

Nashoba

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There are many good videos on youtube that deal with cleaning the engine. Just go there and do a search for SeaFoam or Berryman's B-12 injector cleaner or some such language. There are even some tests comparing five or six brands of this type engine cleaning. I have stuck with Berryman's myself. Plus I don't get gas that has Ethanol in it. I just don't like that crap.
 

iamdub

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Steam clean that ish!


The trick is to not flood the engine with water (I'd use a spray bottle for misting) and there's a chance that the released carbon particles can get lodged in the catalytic converter and clog it. Proceed at your own risk. There are gentler methods that use chemical additives to dissolve the carbon over time , but it's over a very long time.

I know water works because I had a cracked head on a Jeep 4.0 that dripped water into a cylinder. That #4 piston and combustion chamber was CLEAN. I don't have the pic handy, but here's one off the interwebz that's a close example:

10-jpg.jpg
 

carluvar

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Nothing I repeat nothing will clean the stuff coating the inside of your plastic intake so fugetta bout it! Bg 44k is the best injector cleaner use it! and look at fuel trims on a scan tool and maybe get a set of new injectors, they all need to flow the same. If they dont, youll end up with some lean and some normal running cylinders, the computer cant control injectors individually. WHEW!
 

BlueCollarTahoe

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anyone got a link that shows the use of kreen clearly? found a bunch fo grainy before and after vids cylinder by cylinder
 

rockola1971

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Water, its practically free and will clean the hell out of combustion chamber, valve heads and faces and piston crowns. Ever seen a piston after a blown head gasket lets coolant in the cylinder? The piston is always factory new looking with all carbon gone.
The water doesnt steam clean the piston. The water temp is way colder than the face of the piston and it causes rapid contraction then expansion when the water contacts the carbon which causes the carbon to just pop off and get expelled into your exhaust. Too much carbon on the crown of your piston causes the dome or the recess to gain in volume which INCREASES your compression ratio and if the fuel you are using doesnt have high enough octane rating that can lead to detonation (spark knock). It will reduce efficiency along with MPG. Water is practically free! Transmission fluid in your gas tank WILL clean the hell out of your injectors and its way more effective than most tank additive gimmicks too. This trick has been around for many decades before I came about in 1971. Many old men taught me alot before they left us all. I listened and still do.
 

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