carbon buildup on pistons
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 574
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From: Kansas City
carbon buildup on pistons
I pulled the spark plugs this weekend to inspect them for tuning issues/age/condition and they looked great but I noticed a what looks to me like a lot of carbon buildup on top of the piston thru the spark plug hole. I know I can't really see in there real well but I know that the top of the piston looks black, rough, and pitted. What does this mean? Is there anything I can do short of tear down and rebuild to clean it up? Maybe seafoam in the tank for a few tanks?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Oklahoma
Do some reading at "toptiergas.com" and decide if you might want to spend a little more for gas that meets the top tier requirements. It is supposed to keep combustion chambers and intake valves clean (or as clean as any gas can).
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 450
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Run motor until normal operating temp. Remove air cleaner and spray a mist of water into the intake while bumping throttle to keep motor running. Make sure pipe is pointed in a safe direction, as itwill be shooting a bunch of black stuff out of it. This will clean your combustion chamber, and will do no harm to the motor, but you will not notice any difference in the way it runs.
Unless its an unusual amount, I wouldn't be to worried, the top of a piston stops looking new a lot faster than you may think, probably within the first 1k miles. As long as the bike is running with no issues and your doing proper maintenance, you should be ok.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 574
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From: Kansas City
OK, I think I'll just not worry about it then and forego trying to "wash" my pistons with water. It seems to run fine really. Not saying that it doesn't work or that I don't believe you, I'm just not going to worry about it. I will try the seafoam in the gas tho to help maintain fuel system and valves. Thanks.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: The Desert SouthWest
Thanks for that link. Interesting, I've heard this is the case but didn't know WHICH were the top tier for certain. I've been using Chevron and Shell mostly since I've heard good things about their additive packages.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Oklahoma
On occasion, Shell publishes little pamphlets with helpful hints and at the end it says if you have more questions call.... I called and asked what this "added nitrogen" thing was all about as the air going through the engine is already about 80% nitrogen. She said it wasn't THAT kind of nitrogen. I knew when to stop talking before I asked how many types of nitrogen there were. I think Shell is good gas but their advertising makes me wonder sometimes.