What do you guys think of running water through the engine to clean the combustion chambers? Lets say you suspect a sticky valve, due to sludge on the top side & not closing 100%.

I’ve gotten a few different opinions.
One mech used to actually pour water into the carb at fast idle, with no problems. Then again my dad saw a guy blow an engine using just an eye dropper. The safest way I was told was to use a spray-bottle on “wide/mist”, and no more than a quart.

Then again, wouldn’t water just clean the underside/combustion-side of the valve and NOT the top where the sludge is?

I was also told to used GM’s “Top engine cleaner" "Seafoam" or other things. Im not crazy about solvents. A little sludge on hi-mile rings is not a bad thing. If you dis-lodge it, the cylinder may start to smoke.

I had a 67 camaro with a 327 back in the 80's. We used to use water to clean it out occasionally.The trick was to make damn sure you keep the car running and only pour in a little at a time. You will have large amounts of white smoke out the exhaust, make sure you do it outside... I also had a blazer with a stuck lifter , would barely move at all, no power. Added Miracle oil,Red and black can available at any Auto parts, 1 can to oil, 1 to gas tank... Within 15 minutes everything was freed up and it ran for another 60,000 miles before I sold it...

As for the eye dropper... Thats a wives tale.. There is almost always some water in the gas you buy everyday..

I would try the miracle oil first though...

Thanks,

Already tried 2 pints of Marvel, one in the oil, one in the gastank.

I’ve been told water is the most dangerous, because of the sudden compression change and Im better off with a petroleum based solvent. I’ve been told to try:
8oz of brake fluid or ATF
10oz of diesel,
12oz of Marvel oil through the carb
Whole can of GM Top Engine cleaner
PB Blaster aerosol (something like liquid wrench or rust buster) through a vaccum line.
Or something else called “Seafoam”

Any opinions?