Is that true?

[andypinto]

I recently read in: Dead Link Removed
that you can clean the carbon buildups in the combustion chambers of the X allowing that the engine's vacuum system "suck" warm water, a kind of "steam cleaning".
This guy claims that all pinging problem just dissapears after that.

Is that true? Sounds a little scary to me do that in my X

Any opinion?

 

[dogfriend]

This is similar to using Seafoam, which some on this board have done. See these threads:
Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

I haven't done this on a fuel injected vehicle, but you can also spray carb cleaner in a carburated engine while it is running for the same effect. Also, I have read that ATF will also work because it has a lot of detergent. Be careful not to use anything that could coat/damage the O2 sensors (ATF may be a problem, I'm not sure)

 

[dogfriend]

I think the link you are asking about is this one:

Dead Link Removed


Again, it should work, but don't let the engine quit running while you are feeding any liquid into the intake manifold - there is a potential for hydrolocking the engine.

 

[Opera House]

Do water and gas mix?

Water injection was used for bomber take offs in WW-II to increase power and prevent knocking. The ideal benefit for power is around 50% water for every unit of gas. That is why water injection never made it in cars. You have to haul around so much water it isn't worth it. So squirting in water isn't disasterous. You want it to go in as tiny droplets not as some have done when crossing a stream.

 

[Muskrat]

streams are bad, I inhaled the good ole H2O on 3 occasions, I think I need a new engine

 

[Strike12]

Streams are bad and over ran roads , killed a 98 dodge that way .Oops hydronic lock . Engines cant compress liquids . Any who , what your referring to is removing carbon deposits from the intake system of a engine by means of spraying or pouring water into the into the air intake of a running vehicles . Yes Ive heard it does wonders on older vehicles. Ive done it on several vehicles and did notice better gas mileage , response , and idle. Its like steam cleaning the inside of your engine . Although I disbelieve that itll make it like new inside the valves and top of pistons , it does seem to make a difference. Got any more questions I can go into more detail.

 

[jimbo74]

he have some stuff at work that cleans out that way... you disconnect the vacumn line on the brake booster, and we have an IV bottle of cleaner that drips into the vacumn line after it mixes with air..... we also are supposed to leave the whole bottle of stuff running till its gone.. at about 2000 rpm....... it normally stays at 2000 rpm for half an hour.....

 

[andypinto]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Until now, seems to be very risky to do that in an injected engine.
Maybe will be not so expensive take the X to a shop and ask for a cleaning of the carbon deposits in the old way, than change the all engine because an unexpected hydrolocking.

Happy trails!!

 

[james t]

as long as you dont pour the water in you wont hydrolock it. i have done this before using a spray bottle. i would never ever pour water into an engine. also, if you do it, dont worry if it begins to smoke like crazy for a minute. the water vapor hits the carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and shatters them, thus breaking them up and removing them. this (and the vapor) is what will be leaving your exhaust. it will smoke like a **** for a little while. do it in the driveway for a little fun with the neigbors.

 

[Black Magic]

Originally posted by james t
dont worry if it begins to smoke like crazy for a minute. the water vapor hits the carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and shatters them, thus breaking them up and removing them. this (and the vapor) is what will be leaving your exhaust. it will smoke like a **** for a little while. do it in the driveway for a little fun with the neigbors.

You can clearly see the effect of this in James Avatar! Dead Link Removed

 

[james t]

LOL! ...my secret is out... time for me to frequent another forum...

 

[Black Magic]

You will be missed! But I think we can let this one slide! LOL

 

[andypinto]

Maybe is a fool question, but is no danger that exhaust system or the catalytic converter would be clogged with those carbon particles?

 

[Black Magic]

Originally posted by andypinto
Maybe is a fool question, but is no danger that exhaust system or the catalytic converter would be clogged with those carbon particles?

I don't think that is a fool question at all. Hell, I don't have an answer. Anyone else?

 

[Stic-o]

I'm very interested

Someone try this see if you car exsplodes, and let me know. Mine '99 knocks like crazy. Fords cleaned it out three time in a row. Sounds like marbles in the pan! Idle is the worst. 100,000k on her. OHV

 

[TPLYNCH]

Stic-o, the marbles in a tin can noise in your OHV engine is the wrist pins. Is a common problem in '98-99 OHV engines. Mine does it too, and has since practically day one. There is no fix, although some people did manage to get new engines from Ford, even though Fords corporate line is "yeah, it makes noise, but it's not damaging the engine." I just turned 90K i mine......

 

[espnfreak]

I flooded mine really bad. I was heading into the flood at full throttle and I pulled the plugs and we turned it, put em in, it smoked LIKE HELL! and then we changed the oil, and i later had to get a tranny rebuild (ford warranty) but it was all good. My engine runs like a champ now, and thats after I literally submerged the whole damn thing. lol, i got lucky as heck

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by andypinto
Maybe is a fool question, but is no danger that exhaust system or the catalytic converter would be clogged with those carbon particles?

Im guessing that it is not likely for the catalytic converter to get clogged, because the size of the particles should be small enough to go right through. But, there is a slight possibility that you could get something that would not burn up in the cat.

I personally wouldn't try this procedure unless you were experiencing a problem with knocking. With fuel injection, you shouldn't have a lot of extra carbon unless something is wrong that is making the engine run rich.

 

[dogfriend]

Engine - Carbon Knock On Acceleration
Article No:
01-19-7

10/01/01

ENGINE - 4.0L OHV - CARBON KNOCK ON ACCELERATION


NOISE - CARBON KNOCK ON ACCELERATION - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV ENGINE ONLY

FORD:
1990-1997 AEROSTAR
1990-2000 EXPLORER, RANGER

ISSUE
Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0L OHV engine may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston/connecting rod bearing knock. This carbon knock is heard only under load during the drive cycle. Carbon knock is a customer drive duty-cycle phenomenon that cannot be repaired with an engine exchange. This may be caused by carbon build-up within the combustion chamber.

ACTION
Verify condition. If normal diagnostics fail to correct the condition, de-carbon the combustion chamber to help quiet the carbon knock noise. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Use Motorcraft Carburetor Tune-up Cleaner PM-3.

2. Carbon removal:

a. Disconnect canister purge line from throttle body.

b. Attach a vacuum line to the canister purge port.

c. At hot engine idle, allow the engine to ingest 1/2 to 2/3 of a can of Motorcraft Carburetor Tune-up Cleaner. Use caution not to ingest too quickly due to potential hydro-lock issues.

d. Shut engine off and allow it to soak for one hour.

e. Start engine, allow engine to ingest the remainder of the Motorcraft Carburetor Tune-up Gleaner.

f. Remove vacuum line and re-install canister purge line.

g. Road test vehicle at 3500 RPM for 2-3 miles.

h. Repeat above procedure two times for a total of three times.

i. Change oil and filter.

3. Review the customers' driving habits. The recommended drive cycle should include daily periods of engine operation above 3,000 RPM, such as a brisk acceleration from a stop position. This will break/burn the carbon off the piston head.

4. Use regular unleaded fuel, 87 Octane. Mid-grade and Premium fuels may increase the probability of carbon buildup, leading to a knock noise.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I love the line

Carbon knock is a customer drive duty-cycle phenomenon that cannot be repaired with an engine exchange

Ford sucks.