Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

Cleaning the engine head/pistons/etc.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-15-06, 03:48 PM
  #1  
TMaxxTim
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
TMaxxTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Cleaning the engine head/pistons/etc.

So I'm in the middle of this headgasket job and I got some seafoam to clean the engine with. I also got a gasket scraper since it told me to get one and use it to scrape off all the old carbon on the engine head before putting a new HG on.

Anyways, how should I go about cleaning? Just pour some seafoam into the cylinder heads and let it soak awhile and scrape away at the carbon? The gasket scraper has a plastic end which doens't work very well, and metal blades, however I'm worried about scratching the top so I haven't used them yet.

I think I'll just go out and get a nylon brush to clean it with. I just don't want to do anything damaging to the engine. While I am in the middle of this complicated project, I still don't have all the knowledge somebody else will that has rebuilt and worked on cars for a lot longer than me, so if it seems like a trivial question, I'm just being cautious
Old 04-15-06, 06:08 PM
  #2  
dejacky
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
dejacky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Behind you
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post

Post some pics so others can better advise you!
Old 04-15-06, 07:21 PM
  #3  
slo86
Pole Position
 
slo86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: California
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

i used a blade for utility knives to scrape off old gasket material. lots of carb/brake cleaner. i also ziptied the blade so it doesnt accidentialy drop it into any oil passages. if you do happen to drop something in their cover all but two holes and use an air compressor to blow it out
Old 04-15-06, 08:21 PM
  #4  
TMaxxTim
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
TMaxxTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

This is the engine head, doesn't look too bad actually considering it has 160k on it

Engine Block - doesn't look too bad either. This was after the gasket scraping, I still have a little bit of work left but wanted to let some seafoam/carb cleaner soak it overnight. The razor left some minor scraping, hopefully nothing too bad. I just dont want to push down too hard on it. BTW the coolant on the pistons is from the air compressor blowing it all over the engine (wonder who did that ). I cleaned it up later on


Here's where I think the headgasket blew on cylinder #2. There looks like there is a copper ring around each cylinder in the HG and this one was definately blown. I bent it up so you could see it easier, it wasn't like that to start with!!

Another shot of my engine block and engine bay. Look how dirty it is. I'll be getting in there with some carb cleaner tomorrow to get those intake pipes!

Last edited by TMaxxTim; 04-15-06 at 08:25 PM.
Old 04-15-06, 10:23 PM
  #5  
$C300
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
$C300's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SO-CAL
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Dude after u clean out the intake invest in a EGR block off
Old 04-15-06, 10:28 PM
  #6  
95 Integra
Lead Lap
 
95 Integra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Alabama
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Wow thats one clean piston. BTW, your #4 cylinder wall looks a little rough (in general and compared to the others). BTW, if you want the head to be really clean, take it to a shop and pay them ~$50 to have it jet tanked, and simple green also cleans the stuff of pretty well. The carbon build up in the combustion chamber and exhaust ports is near impossible to get off with household cleaners though.
Old 04-15-06, 11:31 PM
  #7  
laxdude362
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
laxdude362's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Tim let me know how long you are going to be in town for. I got a guy that will do wonders for your car. He is doing all the work for mine, check out my sig. His '92 SC300 puts down 616rwhp on pump gas. It has a 2jzgte swap, v160 tranny and much more.
Old 04-15-06, 11:38 PM
  #8  
lsflame
Lexus Test Driver
 
lsflame's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Yeah shane can do some great stuff to your car. Hope all is well in lexus land Tim. This Amir. I met you at Sahara's with Michael and Meghan. I used to have the black TL Type S with the 18" Advans.

Peace out and get my number from John P.
Old 04-16-06, 01:16 AM
  #9  
TMaxxTim
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
TMaxxTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by $C300
Dude after u clean out the intake invest in a EGR block off
I've been reading up on the EGR removal, and for all the time and effort I put into it, how is it really going to benefit me, and will I have any problems passing emissions?

Last edited by TMaxxTim; 04-16-06 at 01:23 AM.
Old 04-16-06, 10:33 AM
  #10  
dejacky
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
dejacky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Behind you
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post

I think a few persons have put toulene in their gas tank to help them pas emissions when they are NA-T. Also, I could have sworn it was a bad idea to use brake cleaner, etc on the pistons and cylinder walls though

Last edited by dejacky; 04-16-06 at 10:38 AM.
Old 04-16-06, 11:06 AM
  #11  
bishoptane
Driver
 
bishoptane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: fl
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

buy like 5 bottles of starting fluid, razor bladers and some cloth rags, tshirts work the best. take the razors and scrap off the carbon, be carefull not to scratch the block or the head. when your done with that spray the starting fluid on the rag, the thing about starting fluid it that it wont dry up seals and other rubber hoses and what not on and in the engine like brake cleaner and other products like that, and wip the block and head down. you can spray that stuff anywhere you want. i would get as much as you can out of the block and head, as you know diamonds are nothing but carbon so its worse then sand in your engine. so just slap everything in and good luck, hope you take pics to show everyone
Old 04-16-06, 11:14 AM
  #12  
TMaxxTim
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
TMaxxTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Sounds good. I'm going to Home Depot as soon as I get a parts list for the Coolant Bypass Mod and the EGR removal mod. I figure while I have the engine completely apart for a day while waiting for the part I might as well do these two things.

I'll definately take pics after I get it in tip top shape.

I did notice some very minor scraping on the block head from the razor, so I will be extra careful not to get around the rings or scrape anymore. Right now it was just scraped on the flat parts near the outside of the block so theres not really any serious damage.
Old 04-16-06, 12:05 PM
  #13  
TMaxxTim
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
TMaxxTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I was looking at the EGR removal and it appears as though this version has a sensor directly in the EGR pipe. I have the EGR off my car right now, and I don't have that wire and connector that come out of the top of the EGR on mine. Its blocked off and sealed. Is this the way ours is supposed to be? If so, where do we put the resistor?

Old 04-16-06, 12:49 PM
  #14  
O. L. T.
Keeper of the light
iTrader: (17)
 
O. L. T.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: My little world
Posts: 34,097
Received 335 Likes on 221 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by laxdude362
Tim let me know how long you are going to be in town for. I got a guy that will do wonders for your car. He is doing all the work for mine, check out my sig. His '92 SC300 puts down 616rwhp on pump gas. It has a 2jzgte swap, v160 tranny and much more.
You talking about Shanes car? The white one?
Old 04-16-06, 01:30 PM
  #15  
dejacky
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
dejacky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Behind you
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by TMaxxTim
... If so, where do we put the resistor?


When I removed the EGR system, I completely removed it and used 2 block off plates; 1 on the intake manifold and 1 on the engine block near cylinder 6. In between the driver side firewall and the upper intake manifold, you'll see that clip for the sensor. You need to put a resistor in that clip. It looks like this:



Quick Reply: Cleaning the engine head/pistons/etc.



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:42 PM.