Best Way To Clean Valves?

[Scott4g63]

I'm trying to get the caked on carbon off my valves but nothing seems to work. I've used carbon cleaner and a parts cleaning brush, didn't work. I soaked them in diesel and used a tooth brush, didn't work. Any suggestions?

 

[95TalonOwner]

Wire wheel. Just be sure you don't score the sealing surfaces. Make sure to lap them when you put them back in.

 

[Scott4g63]

Wire wheel. Just be sure you don't score the sealing surfaces. Make sure to lap them when you put them back in.

Do you have any other suggestion for cleaner, or is what I am using fine?

Ps
Thanks for the quick response!

 

[pats16valve]

Let them soak in Oven Cleaner. YOu can also try soaking them in Ammonia.

 

[Scott4g63]

Let them soak in Oven Cleaner. YOu can also try soaking them in Ammonia.

Wow I would have never thought of that, but it does make a lot of sense! Thanks!

 

[pats16valve]

Wow I would have never thought of that, but it does make a lot of sense! Thanks!

No problem. Just watch out for the fumes. It's BAD! The Oven Cleaner will work best, the foaming will actually lift off the loose bits, then scrub the rest.

 

[Scott4g63]

No problem. Just watch out for the fumes. It's BAD! The Oven Cleaner will work best, the foaming will actually lift off the loose bits, then scrub the rest.

Awesome, I just went and bought some!

 

[JusMX141]

I always use my media blaster. Works perfect for removing carbon from anything.

 

[BogusSVO]

Like JusMX said, glass bead/media blaster is the best method.

 

[96' Eclipse GS]

you can try soaking them in "Seafoam" over night...it worked for my egr and other things....

 

[david9291]

I like to chuck the valves up in a drill and use Emory cloth to clean the carbon off, only takes about 15 seconds for a valve. Just watch out for the sealing surface.

 

[Sleeper1gfwd]

Wire wheel and lap them back in makes em look brand new as ling as they're not burnt up

 

[bryanwheat]

Wire wheel and lap them back in makes em look brand new as ling as they're not burnt up

This is the easiest in my opinion. I've literally done thousands of valves on the ole bench grinder wire wheel.

 

[Scott4g63]

So I ended up using my drill and a soft wire wheel for a dremel. Comes right off and they look brand new!

 

[H@xtGSX]

I like to chuck the valves up in a drill and use Emory cloth to clean the carbon off, only takes about 15 seconds for a valve. Just watch out for the sealing surface.

X2... I use steel wool if it's not too bad. Just be sure to lap them back into the seats. This is what I did on my motor, which just had a head rebuild, and I have 175-179 psi comp across all 4. I would highly recommend ultra fine lapping compound if you can find someone who sells it. I usually go a few quick turns with course just to clean the surfaces if it had any deposits (even after cleaning the valve), wipe, seat until ring matches on the valve and seat with fine, and then use ultra fine for a few turns until it feels kinda "sticky" but glides smoothly when you turn the valve. They will be VERY tight seals.

 

[dsm2012]

If u have alot of carbon build up a really good way to get everything off is this trick called the seafoam trick. You start off by putting half the can in a container then you turn the car on and suck the seafoam in through a vacuum line but do this slowly otherwise ## car will die. After u suck in half the can you can suck up the other half or put it in your oil to clean ## oil pan and everything else out...now after you do all of this your car will put out white smoke it means your car is burning all of the carbon buildup everywhere if you drive it around aat high rpms it will go away faster as soon as all,the smoke is gone you are good to go. This will make your car run ten times better and you will probly notice a lower rpm at iddle and everytime you drive it its a great trick I do it on every car I own

 

[BogusSVO]

DSM2012... the op has the head off and the valves out

 

[Scott4g63]

Thanks for all the responses, they are coming pretty clean with the dremel attachment.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

And I also have been reseating them.

 

[H@xtGSX]

You can get the carbon on the head too. Just don't go digging into the aluminum and leaving a bunch of gouges. You can use a polishing disk on it... Get it all nice and smooth while you can. Just be careful around the seats. I cleaned all that junk off of mine and ported out the head and manifolds while I had it off the motor. It made a very noticeable difference.