How to Clean Carbon Off Pistons

If you have your engine out it is an excellent time to clean the carbon off the pistons and combustion area. Using a mix of acetone and transmission fluid, you can get those pistons looking practically new again!

[bodeine]

My cousin is an auto mechanic and he told me that auto trans fluid and acetone mixed 50/50 is the best penetrate you can use for like rusted nuts and bolts etc etc. I haven't made any yet but soon.

[FullSendFabrication]

I have plenty of lightly used trans fluid around here. Now I know why I’ve been saving it haha. This is awesome thank you 🙏🏼

[cleavland]

I did this with my ranger 3.0, which had really heavy build-up.
I bought from Amazon a set of drill mounted brillo pads.
The drill on low it cut the hand scrub
time in half.

[chesshooligan]

I suspect the acetone does all the work of dissolving the grease that holds the carbon together and the ATF's job is to lower the volatility of the mix so it doesn't evaporate almost instantly.

[SimplyChem]

Working on my Subaru EJ25 and this helped a bunch. Much appreciated!

[mhsab]

(Thank you for watching) thank YOU for the effort and time while making this helpful video

[lelandmason]

Great video! I’ll be doing this to a flathead briggs and Stratton soon.

[hopalongjohnny]

Awesome, I got some type F laying around. Going to try this later this week on my 302.

[mathewhoffer]

tape it off and soda blast each one with a $8 harbor freight suction blaster .. each piston will take you less then 5 minutes to get spotless like new. Yes this method does work however it is actually more expensive and time consuming because one you buy the soda gun your done and you can get a box of baking soda from anywhere.

[thijsmoed]

Is it also possible to do on 2 strokes without breaking anything

[cusoonmyfriend]

hi there i have only carb cleaner and break cleaner fluid spray, can i go with both ?

[cleavland]

While this worked terrrific, afterwords, my toothpaste tasted terrible!

[CharlesLs]

Hello, I am working on a in-line 6 right now but it is still in the bay is there anyways I can use the acetone and tranny fluid still? Or would I be better off using break clean

[Mrcutlassboi]

Is this stuff good for cleaning pistons with aluminum blocks

[DELTRANIO]

Good vid did the engine run better and better performance ?

[garysmith]

Wood ashes and a wet rag....Moisten the rag, dip in wood ashes and voila...Clean as a whistle.

[garymcmullin]

I would be more concerned with any carbon and gum residing in the ring lands, a cursory swipe at the piston top deposits is enough because it is gonna build right back up to an equilibrium level in no time.

[mg]

I would use my die grinder with a small brass wire brush.

[alexstromberg]

This didnt really work for me on My Volvo pistons but worth a try

[robjenkins]

After buying 100% pure acetone, this treatment had absolute Zero affect on my piston carbon.