Water Cylinder Decarbonizing... Should I?

BlazerLT · 09-07-2004, 01:25 AM

Test Subject: 1995 Blazer LT 4.3L CPI Vortec
Status: 125,000miles
Condition: Good, but definitely will have some carbon in the cylinders.

Now, I heard of the water decarboniztion people used to do with carbed vehicles and motorcycles and lately I haven't heard many people doing it. It is said to be the most effective way to clean pistons and combustion chambers.

On fuel injected vehicles, you mist water through a spay bottle into the throttle body or suck water through the PCV line which will atomize the water quite effectively when you hold the throttle to half.

Question is, has anyone done it here?

Should I try it?

And yes I did the combustion chamber cleaner and it did fuck all but foul my plugs.

What do you think?

Butch Dennis · 09-07-2004, 02:05 AM

Like most old ideas, they are based on fact, somewhere. Yes, water mist will decarbon the combustion chamber and piston tops. There is one product out there called SeaFoam that is supposed to do the same thing. The problem comes up: how do you know what is enough? And the only good way to prove it is to disassemble the engine and look. And who wants to do that?
We used to use ATF to do the same thing, it would also foul the plugs. We would pour it down the carburator with the throttle at half or better until about a half quart was gone and then lower the idle until we stalled the engine. Let it sit for 20 to 30 min. and try to start it. Usually had to clean the plugs to get it to start. And oh the smoke (great for the mosquitos).
To answer the question, I don't think it is worth it, since I can't prove what if any good it has done.

BTY, when it rains, don't you get a lot of mist drawn in with the air, anyway?

BlazerLT · 09-07-2004, 02:35 AM

Not to the concentration of sucking a pint of water in gently through the PCV hose.

I too used Seafoam and it fouled my plugs also.

I want to get away from the oil based cleaners that really do more harm than good. The one way I have been told that you know the engine is better is when the water and steam coming out of the tail pipe is clean and not black anymore.

Your thoughts?

Rick Norwood · 09-07-2004, 01:52 PM

I have heard of a method were an injection system is rigged up using a needle (normally used to inflate basketballs) a length of vacuum line and a bottle of water. If you poke a small hole into the PCV valve hose with an ice pick and insert the needle and let the vacuum do its thing to the water bottle. I was also told that this procedure was used almost constantly.

But just a word of caution, this was done a few years ago on an older vehicle, so let your conscience be your guide!

BlazerLT · 09-07-2004, 04:19 PM

I just did the water decarbonizing.

More info soon.

BlazerLT · 09-07-2004, 10:00 PM

*Disclaimer: Do this at your own risk. I will not be held responsible for you doing this wrong and screwing your engine.*

Here is my CPI 4.3L Vortec.

Ok, well, I did it, I poured water through my engine. As mentioned earlier, water decarbonizing is a cheap and effective way to steam clean your cylinders and dissolve any carbon deposits in the combustion chamber.

Warm the truck up completely by taking a 15 minute drive to get it right up to temperature. Do NOT do this on a cold engine PERIOD!!!

How Much?:

1.7 Litres (0.45 Gallons)

Through Where?

PCV Line

Here is a video of the truck running just before I started the water.

http://media.putfile.com/startclean

Method:

1.) Get a short glass like what is pictured above fill it and position it so the PCV line is just above the water line.

2.) Raise the rpms to 2000-2500rpms

3.) Slowly raise the glass so the PCV line is just above the water line. The suction is strong enough that it will start sucking in water. Just keep feeding the water slowly in with the throttle set to 2500rpms. After the water has all been sucked up for one glass, keep the revs up so it keeps on clearing the steam from the system.

DO NOT BE A COMPLETE IMPATIENT IDIOT AND JUST STICK THE HOSE INTO THE WATER AND SUCK IT ALL DOWN FAST! YOU WILL HYDROLOCK YOUR ENGINE AND DESTROY YOUR TRUCK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

4.) The engine will start to spit and sputter but keep the rpms high until it smooths out. Let it sit for a bit and get another full glass and repeat.

This is what you will see, some small amount of steam coming out of your exhaust.

http://media.putfile.com/smokeclean

I didn't see any carbon or anything coming out the exhaust nor did I see the amount of steam I thought I was going to see, BUT, hold my hand over the exhaust had me feeling the water coming out the exhaust.

Here is a sound of the engine being responsive after the complete treatment.

http://media.putfile.com/revclip

The throttle is much more responsive, no hesitation whatsoever. Remember, this truck has over 125,000 miles on it.

Engine more responsive? Yes!
More Power? Can't tell, I am not a dyno.
Smoother? Bigtime!

Here is a small clip of me at 3/4 throttle. Hear the cold air intake howling!

http://media.putfile.com/floorclean

Let me know what you think.

IS THIS WORTH WHILE? YES!

metallica21156 · 09-12-2004, 06:26 PM

i tried your idea and slowly put a very small amout of water in.as soon as it started to take the water i keep it at that amount and then stoped when i ran out. i didn't see any water mist behind me and the engine didn't seem to run any different. 72,880 miles. was i just not adding enough water. you could her the engine pitch change when i was adding the water.

BlazerLT · 09-12-2004, 07:18 PM

I hope after the water was done you didn't immediately stop the engine.

I really hope you didn't do that.

metallica21156 · 09-12-2004, 07:23 PM

i let it run for about 15 mins and then took it for a drive. still no diff. could it be the engine was clean? i run injector cleaner in it about once a month. i'm hoping it will help save the cpi from going bad as fast.

Mikado14 · 09-12-2004, 08:06 PM

Impressive!!

Although for some reason my computer claimed that I didn't have a proper program to decompress, I was able to hear the difference.

Sounds like my ol 93 is going to get a drink of water!

Good documenting, I am sure others will gain from what you posted. Pat yourself on the back for me cause I'm too lazy to drive up to Canada. LOL

BlazerLT · 09-12-2004, 08:20 PM

Hehe,

BTW, I have a Ravin Z55 Exhaust on mine so it is louder.

Just be careful and don't rush the water in.

BlazerLT · 09-12-2004, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallica21156

i let it run for about 15 mins and then took it for a drive. still no diff. could it be the engine was clean? i run injector cleaner in it about once a month. i'm hoping it will help save the cpi from going bad as fast.

You won't see anything is your engine is clean.

Where did you suck it in BTW?

I thought you owned a 1996.

metallica21156 · 09-12-2004, 08:28 PM

no its a 95. where u siad. the pcv valve line.i disconected it from the rubber boot that was on the valve and i had just the hard plastic line that i was using.i left the pcv valve in the valve cover when i ran it. it had good vacume and pulled the water in very easy. i had the smallest constant stream it would let me have. like i said i do race the truck every now and then and run cleaner in it.

BlazerLT · 09-12-2004, 08:43 PM

You didn't sink the tube into the water I hope.

Did you keep the engine speed up as you did it?

metallica21156 · 09-12-2004, 08:46 PM

yea. like i said i had a small stream of water. if i pulled it out any further it wouldn't suck any water in. it was sucking air in while it was pulling water. i had a rock on the gas pedel holding it at about 2,300 rpms.

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