Cleaning valves?

I have the head off my a6 thats going in my car temporarily and the exhaust valves have a lot of carbon build up on them. Is there a way to get it off without taking to a shop? something I can do myself? Also, the intake valves on cylinder number 4 also have a lot of carbon build up on them, anyone know why?

You have to remove the head, then tear it all apart to get the valves out, then clean it. Or at least thats the only way I know of, and probably the most thorough way.

yeah, too hard to REALLY clean them in there

i know you dont really want to do this but it is a very good suggestion for you to hot tank the head, you will not believe the outcome. It will make the head brand new again.

If you just want to clean the carbon off the valves try to use some oven cleaner to loosen it and a small stiff (knoted) wire brush on a drill.

i know you dont really want to do this but it is a very good suggestion for you to hot tank the head, you will not believe the outcome. It will make the head brand new again.

Ok...I've got a stupid question...I've never heard this term before I joined this forum, pehaps I've heard it put another way, but I have no idea by what you mean by "hot tankin" the head???

Jason

I've heard of hot tanking parts but never looked on google about it. Anyway, I've heard some shops have a sandblaster like machine to clean the valves and instead of using sand they use crushed walnut shells. The walnut shells clean the metal without damaging the surface and if there is any shells left over they will burn in the combustion chamber.

Could try the ATF methode.

A hot tank is basically a big dishwsher that has special degreaser in it. All engine machine shops use one for cleaning and degreasing used parts. The head needs to be dissasembled to use it.

A hot tank is basically a big dishwsher that has special degreaser in it. All engine machine shops use one for cleaning and degreasing used parts. The head needs to be dissasembled to use it.
Thank-you...I feel enlightened today...I have learned something new...God I love this place :D

Jason

PS> Also...thank-you for putting it in "layman" aka "english" for me ;)

I can't imagine taking a head apart to put it into a hot tank, but not doing the valves.

i mean, if you REALLY don't care about this engine, scrape the gasket surface and slap it back on. If you do plan to run it for more than a month or two, why not just get the valves done? the engine will be happier and considering the work involved in taking the head on and off it just seems worth it to me unless you're just trying to get by with this engine till a swap you're going to do soon or something

Well, I dont really know how long im going to have this engine in the car for. I have a DOHC ZC that im taking out of the ar right now because I broke a piston. If im content with the way the a6 feels, ill probly just keep that in the car and build it up (supercharge it eventually) But how much do you think taking it to a shop to get it hot tanked and the valves cleaned will be? Anyone have any ideas?

I got my head cleaned and valves reground for $300.

No idea how much it'd be just for the clean.

Well, I actually got my head cleaned up pretty good for free. I took it to school with me and the Engine shop there put it in a parts cleaner and scrubbed it down as best they could. Its real clean but I know its not "hot tanked" clean. I just wish that there was something I could do myself to get the valves a bit cleaner.

heres a good thing to do. take the valve, and put it in the chuck of a drill press, then take sandpaper or 3m pads and hold it up to the valve while it spins. the carbon will come off really easily, just dont dig into the valve too long, and try not to hit the seats on the valves.