DIY Carbon Cleaning, now we've started!!!

[DazN]

Hi,

Yesterday I started the long process of cleaning the carbon from the manifold and thought I would share my limited knowledge here, probably better done with pictures.

The friend helping me said he didn't expect it to be so bad! The top of the valves is terrible.

I've been tasked with cleaning the manifold and the bits that came from the tops of the valves, going well so far.

Really looking forward to getting it all back together, seeing how it drives and then back on the dyno just to prove the effort was worth it.

[wrekka]

Well done for having a go at cleaning it with your friend and thanks for posting pics for us all!!

[j1sgo]

Exellent thread, look forward to keeping track of your progress, will be one of the things i do to mine over winter when i get one

Are you using gunk for the cleaning? - great stuff

[DazN]

Cleaning materials are all quite simple, some Holts carburetor cleaner in a spray can which seems to do a good job but it only helps, it has no chance of shifting it alone.

The small flaps that fit near the top of the valves are being cleaned with wire wool and I actually had to scrape the carbon off them the side of a chisel / screwdriver.

The top of the manifold I'm using a kitchen scouring pad, similar to wire wool but made of plastic. The reason behind this is if there's the tiniest bit left over when it's all back together a small piece of metal going into the valve could be fatal, if it's a piece of plastic it will just get combusted.

The hardest part is cleaning the tops of the valves, it's going to take several hours

So far so good anyway, it was putting out 348bhp on the dyno and now I know why, going to get it back on again in a week or so.

[adsgreen]

Worth changing the one way vacuum valve under the manifold whilst you're there - MRC do this as a matter of course as they are really cheap (couple quid - def under a tenner) and they do seem to have a short life span.

To be honest, I'd be thinking of chaning the vac line layout and extending it so you could access the one way valve without taking the manifold off.

Hmm - wonder if youcould teflon coat the inside.

[lengster1]

Looking good so far,how do you propose to do the inlet ports and valves as its those that are the most important to clean.Have you fouund a good product at softening up all thew carbon gunk?

[bam_bam]

Hmm - wonder if you could teflon coat the inside.

Maybe you could use that stuff covering the nose of the Space Shuttle... it's not like they'll be using those things anymore.

[DazN]

Is that the plastic thing that's half black, half white, about the same size as 3 x £2 coins in a stack? I see what you mean about extending the hose, is this so I can change it in future with ease?

Going to try and find the part now but the problem is the manifold is going back on today (hopefully).

Thanks

[DazN]

Looking good so far,how do you propose to do the inlet ports and valves as its those that are the most important to clean.Have you fouund a good product at softening up all thew carbon gunk?

Same carb cleaner spray (as it evaporates), homemade toothpick / small screwdriver and could really do with one of those vacuum's they put in your mouth at the dentist, in fact could have done with a dentist drill and polishing kit too!!

It's just a very manual job really, scrape the carbon off, get it out with whatever you can. At the moment we're only doing a few valves as some are open, so will have to turn the engine slightly before doing the rest.

Not for the faint hearted this job!

[adsgreen]

Is that the plastic thing that's half black, half white, about the same size as 3 x £2 coins in a stack? I see what you mean about extending the hose, is this so I can change it in future with ease?

Going to try and find the part now but the problem is the manifold is going back on today (hopefully).

Thanks

yup. Any audi dealer should have one I'd have thought.
It's just a soppy rubber diaphram that does wear and can fail. Annoying ten quid part requiring hundreds of pounds to fit.
Not essential but definately on the "might as well" list

[adsgreen]

If you're feeling in a ye haw redneck mood then could always try this approach...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oet4qWeZ ... r_embedded

[j1sgo]

Out of interest what is the milage on yours?

[sonny]

If you're feeling in a ye haw redneck mood then could always try this approach...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oet4qWeZ ... r_embedded

[DazN]

Out of interest what is the milage on yours?

Had 49k on when I bought it, now at 55k but think it's been driven by a woman for the first 3 years!! It was a 1 owner vehicle.

Can't believe how much crap is coming out!

[ShaneyB]

Excellent work Daz,
Can I ask if the scourers you are using could score the manifolds and cause damage or are they not that hard?