I had a can of Seafoam sitting around and I wanted to see how well it removed carbon from my old pistons(removed them for an overhaul, because of oil burning).
I have heard so many stories about how well it works on carbon build up , so I thought I would test it out.
I took two of my old pistons and put one in a can with gunk engine cleaner( spray can ) and one in a can with Seafoam. Both pistons had the rings removed and were completely covered. I checked them every couple of hours to see any progress in removing the carbon build up on the crown and and ring groves.
Neither the gunk or the Seafoam removed any carbon after several hours, though both the liquids were discolored and both pistons were degreased.
I left them over night and then took both pistons out to look at and pick at the carbon. Again neither had removed or even softened the carbon.
I took a tooth brush and scrub at both pistons and while it cleaned all of the oil off, the carbon was untouched on both.
The videos of its use ( poured in the cylinders) aloud to soak and then the car started are dramatic , huge clouds of smoke pouring from the exhaust presumably from the burning carbon that has been broken free and then burned.
I think the real reason for all the smoke is that a very high percentage of Seafoam is oil. I took a small container of Seafom and lit it with a match. It burned very well and after a few moments went out ,leaving about half the container full of oil( which if burned in a cylinder would make a great deal of smoke.
If seafoam cant even loosen carbon on a piston submerged in it over night without rings , there is no way its going to do it in the engine.
The only thing I found that would remove carbon easily were products containing sodium hydroxide (Lye) the same thing that is in oven cleaner.
They work very well in weak solutions(Purple Power is one brand name), but will discolor/etch aluminum if they are to strong or left on to long.
I have heard so many stories about how well it works on carbon build up , so I thought I would test it out.
I took two of my old pistons and put one in a can with gunk engine cleaner( spray can ) and one in a can with Seafoam. Both pistons had the rings removed and were completely covered. I checked them every couple of hours to see any progress in removing the carbon build up on the crown and and ring groves.
Neither the gunk or the Seafoam removed any carbon after several hours, though both the liquids were discolored and both pistons were degreased.
I left them over night and then took both pistons out to look at and pick at the carbon. Again neither had removed or even softened the carbon.
I took a tooth brush and scrub at both pistons and while it cleaned all of the oil off, the carbon was untouched on both.
The videos of its use ( poured in the cylinders) aloud to soak and then the car started are dramatic , huge clouds of smoke pouring from the exhaust presumably from the burning carbon that has been broken free and then burned.
I think the real reason for all the smoke is that a very high percentage of Seafoam is oil. I took a small container of Seafom and lit it with a match. It burned very well and after a few moments went out ,leaving about half the container full of oil( which if burned in a cylinder would make a great deal of smoke.
If seafoam cant even loosen carbon on a piston submerged in it over night without rings , there is no way its going to do it in the engine.
The only thing I found that would remove carbon easily were products containing sodium hydroxide (Lye) the same thing that is in oven cleaner.
They work very well in weak solutions(Purple Power is one brand name), but will discolor/etch aluminum if they are to strong or left on to long.