Robin Engine 500 Hour Maintenance

[MuncyBob]

I also never heard of SeaFoam...did a little searching in Google Groups and many people say it does wonders on cleaning up any gum or carbon in engines......but I would like to hear from experienced mechanics on ANY additive before I use it.

 

[J_J]

My opinion is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Read this and see if it will help.

10. Remove carbon deposits. An accumulation of carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and on the top of the pistons can increase compression to the point where detonation becomes a problem. Carbon deposits are a common cause of detonation in high-mileage engines, and can be especially thick if the engine consumes oil because of worn valve guides and seals, worn or broken piston rings and/or cylinder wear. Infrequent driving and not changing the oil often enough can also accelerate the buildup of deposits.
In addition to increasing compression, carbon deposits also have an insulating effect that slows the normal transfer of heat away from the combustion chamber into the head. A thick layer of deposits can therefore raise combustion temperatures and contribute to "preignition" as well as detonation.
Carbon deposits can often be removed from an engine that's still in service by using a chemical "top cleaner." This type of product is poured into an idling engine through the carburetor or throttle body. The engine is then shut off so the solvent can soak into and loosen the deposits. When the engine is restarted the deposits are blown out of the combustion chamber.
If chemical cleaning fails to remove the deposits, it may be necessary to pull the cylinder head and scrape the deposits off with a wire brush or scraper (be careful not to scratch the face of the cylinder head or engine deck

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> Carbon deposits can often be removed from an engine that's still in service by using a chemical "top cleaner." This type of product is poured into an idling engine through the carburetor or throttle body. </font>
Ordinary water works great for this. And it puts out wonderful amounts of steam through the exhaust. Of course, no engine I've ever taken apart needed the treatment unless it was burning ungodly amounts of oil before the teardown. But it sure was satisfying first to make an impressive steam claoud and then go out and drive at highly illegal speeds to "blow out" the rest of the carbon. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( An accumulation of carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and on the top of the pistons can increase compression to the point where detonation becomes a problem. A thick layer of deposits can therefore raise combustion temperatures and contribute to "preignition" as well as detonation.)</font>


<font color="red"> Perhaps, but if the oil is changed regularly, and there are no signs of detonation or preignition, why waste money on solving a problem that apparently does not even exist!! Every engine manual says to use no additives. Dumping water into a running engine doesn't even sound right, and too much at once could destroy the engine! Maybe Robin is fishing for an extra service charge!!??!!
A small increase in compression will actually increase power, and a thin carbon coating can protect the top of the aluminum piston.
After 22 years my Kohler blew a head gasket. The combustion chamber was in fine shape with just a paper thin carbon coating. I just reinstalled the head with a new gasket and it has run great for the last 7 years!
Check the spark plugs. If they are clean, or only lightly coated, the combustion chamber should be fine. If the plug is burned, or heavily coated, or soaked with oil, then you indeed have problems, and it may be time to install a Kohler or Honda!!

</font>

 

[J_J]

I am just so happy for you , that your machines never have any problems.

Read the first line in my post. I didn't say do anything to the engine. This data came from an article written by someone who I believe has a little more knowledge than you are me. This was for info only. You need to get a grip on life and not be so negative on everything. If the water thing works for someone, so what. I am sure that did not mean to imply that they dump gallons of water into the carb to flush out the offending carbon. In fact a water mist has been used before to help clean the combustion chamber. If someone wants to clean the carbon from the heads, so what.

Your reply to carbon on the piston is a good thing is totally wrong. What do you think burns holes in piston heads, hot spots in the carbon, is just one thing. A good running engine usually doesn't leave a lot of carbon in the cylinder head and or on the piston.

It's not what you think that counts, it's the facts of life that are proven over and over.

 

[Gravy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I also never heard of SeaFoam...did a little searching in Google Groups and many people say it does wonders on cleaning up any gum or carbon in engines......but I would like to hear from experienced mechanics on ANY additive before I use it.

Gravy

 

[MuncyBob]

I heard of adding a SMALL amount of water into a running vehicle that has a carb a long time ago from several race car drivers. It's always sounded a bit extreme to me but they swore by it..I've never actually tried it but still it sounds interesting.

 

[J_J]

Here is another article about water injection, believe it or not.

Water injection also has the effect of "steam cleaning" the combustion chambers and exhaust valves. This removes the carbon build up that decreases efficiency and leads to pre-ignition(detonation). It will also keep the throttle body and interior of the intake manifold much cleaner than normal.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> drive at highly illegal speeds to "blow out" the rest of the carbon. </font>

I actually remember when a cop would laugh and let you go if you were just blowing out the carbon... as long as there wasn't another car next to you doing the same thing on a nice, long stretch of two lane! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Then it was eight points and a talk with your folks. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

The water I referred to above was simply poured through the carburetor of a running engine. You have to keep the revs up, of course, or it drowns it. It does a very good job of carbon removal, but I doubt it or any other carbon removal is necessary as routine maintenance on Robin or Kohler PT engines.
Water injection is good to avoid detonation in blown race engines, and there are volumes of debate about whether the water itself boosts usable power. I'm in the negative on that one, but it definitely allows you to use more boost and more ignition advance before the inevitable expensive failure. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif