Cleaning carbon off valves?

[B19GRR]

Hi All,

What's the best stuff to shift carbon off valves? I've tried soaking them in engine cleaner and giving them some stick with a scritchet pad thing but there's still some pretty stubborn stuff left. Would I be mad to pop them in a pillar drill and use a bit of wet 'n' dry on them to get back to metal? They're going to be re-cut any way.

Cheers,
Rob

[Buffalo]

Barbeque cleaner and a stiff toothbrush.

Wouldn't have believed it if i hadn't seen it with my own eyes!

[Alpineandy]

B19GRR said:

Would I be mad to pop them in a pillar drill and use a bit of wet 'n' dry on them to get back to metal? They're going to be re-cut any way.

I've seen garages do it that way.

[Incorrigible]

wire brush, preferable electric. I use a brush attachment on a bench grinder but if you haven't got that luxury a brush on an angle grinder or failing that a drill will do it.

Avoid marking the shafts of course, but it's unlikely you're going to do too much to the valve head, they're going to be lapped in again anyway

[350matt]

Alternativly buy a new set, most valve are only around 4-5 quid each and exhaust valves do work quite hard for their life.

Matt

[Incorrigible]

350matt said:

Alternativly buy a new set,

So it's either spend the best part of £100, or 10 minutes with brush

[B19GRR]

Cool, thanks guys, I'll try the BBQ cleaner then the drill approach if things are still stubborn!

Don't know if the valves match any off the shelf items available but the only prices I've seen for OEM Nissan valves to suit the engine have been pretty damn pricey!

Cheers,
Rob

[wedg1e]

Sandblast, but mask the stems first.

Ian