Valve Cleaning Tips?

[DSX_Camaro]

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

Yeah, I wipe down my engines as I wash my cars, but this is my daily driver so it does get pretty dusty between details.

Although I did just return the car to stock to prep for getting a v8, so the engine bay is cleaned up now and full of the plastic pieces again.

If I may derail this thread, what 8 are you gonna drop in it? Just an LS1/2/3?

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Originally Posted by DSX_Camaro

If I may derail this thread, what 8 are you gonna drop in it? Just an LS1/2/3?

I've been looking for an LS3 car, and I'm going to trade-in and buy a new 5th gen. I'm not going to bother with an engine swap.

[blackswan]

Interesting stuff: http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...99/index3.html

[farm rat]

So do you need to rotate the motor when doing this to close open valves? If so, what is the best way to do that?

[Dragonman]

Originally Posted by farm rat

So do you need to rotate the motor when doing this to close open valves? If so, what is the best way to do that?

Big socket and breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt?

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Originally Posted by farm rat

So do you need to rotate the motor when doing this to close open valves? If so, what is the best way to do that?

Originally Posted by Dragonman

Big socket and breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt?

This. I think it was an 18mm? But you also need to remove the spark plugs so the compression doesn't keep the engine from spinning.

[farm rat]

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

This. I think it was an 18mm? But you also need to remove the spark plugs so the compression doesn't keep the engine from spinning.

How about the fiber insulation on the valve covers? Leave it or throw it away?

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Originally Posted by farm rat

How about the fiber insulation on the valve covers? Leave it or throw it away?

I'd leave it alone.

[blackswan]

Originally Posted by Coleroad

If you watch this video you can see that the crc Gdi cleaner doesn't make chunks. It liquifies the carbon. So I would go and give that a shot. In fact if I were doing I would do back to back treatments then change the oil. If I ever notice mine getting worse I'll try it out for sure. https://youtu.be/zdmpI4iUyBs

As a matter of fact, since I had to remove the intake manifold as part of replacing the water outlet pipe (this is a 2012 3.6 LFX) I took the time to spray the intake valves with the CRC cleaner very lightly just to coat the valves and that's it. Expected to only have the engine apart for a weekend while I took my time, but didn't have the time to put it back together until two weeks later. The CRC did in fact melt the carbon really well, I was able to put a soft brush down each intake port and pretty much all the carbon came off onto the brush (nylon). Big difference in driveability and smoothness across the range, really impressed and it was very easy to do. Not everyone can have their car out of commission for that long, but I'd like to put it out there for folks with other cars at their disposal or don't need to drive much.

I only have before pics, but I'm going to replace the water pump and thermostat and will have the manifold off again and will take a look.

[blackswan]

Originally Posted by farm rat

How about the fiber insulation on the valve covers? Leave it or throw it away?

Mice ate mine