Decoke - what tool to use (Does my head look ok?)

Hi all,

Just pulled my heads off and they are covered in thick carbon so time for a decoked!

Just wondered what would be ok to use ie wire brush on drill etc?

Don't want to damage the head/valves/pistons!

 

Use a piece of perspex filed up to resemble a wood chisel.
Tony

 

I use a small wire brush like the size of your finger on a air powered die grinder (more powerfull dremel) and have never had a problem with that ;D

 

Me too - just miss the barrel sealing surface. Do between valves and between valves/plugholes first and look for cracks. Saves doing the rest...

 

Carb cleaner helps soften it too. Scotchbrite pad works well and doesn't scratch surface. The wire brush might be less labour intensive though....

Nick

 

I have not had to decoke an engine for so long I can't actually remember when, but, I do recall that that a brass brush in a drill not only removes the carbon gently but also polishes the valve surfaces without scratching. I seem to recall an old mechanic who lent me several brass scrapers to get the heavy stuff off too.

 

Cheers guys. I don't have a dremel so will need something for the drill.

Do you recon this will do the job without damage:

http://www.my-tool-shed.co.uk/p16874/Wolfcraft_2112-000_Brass_Wire_Brush_50mm_x_6mm/product_info.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=allprods

I like the Perspex idea too

 

....or this set:

http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/tools/brushes/brushes_for_different_areas_of_application/wire_and_sanding_brushes/707218-4_piece_brush_set_made_of_brass_for_drills.htm

 

3M soft fibre pads are good, not around years ago..

 

I use nylon filament end brushes like these:
http://www.anvil-trading.com/ourstore/prod_149412-Nylon-Filament-End-Brush-25mm.html

 

If you get down the pouns shop, they may have little sets of steel/brass brushes. I've used the brass ones to clean up heads. They get knackered over time, but for a quid for several, you can just chuck them away.

As Zed said, scrub the valve/plug area first. If there're cracks, your head is likely scrap, so not really worth proceeding further.

 

Thanks for the advice guys, going to make myself a plastic scraper and have also bought one of those nylon brushes that 77 Westy suggested.

Also, here is a picture of my offside head.......Can any of you see any immediate things that I should be concerned about as it looks fine to me!?

 

Can't tell until you clean it up - is that a crack between the valves on the close-up?

 

It doesn't look like it's been blowing... Bit of burnt on oil?

 

probably transit wax.... should've burnt off, but looking at the richness of those heads, they probably haven't got hot enough!!