chemicals

Joined
Apr 12, 2003
Messages
22
Are there any cleaners that could safely take the place of the marine decarb sprays? Also, is it bad to use carb cleaners in the intake while it is running? Anyone know what's in a decarb spray,is it the same as carb cleaner?
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: chemicals

Hi rosewood<br /><br />The decarb spray has chemicals in it that eat the carbon from internal engine parts. I don't know what those chemicals are, but I'm sure they are potent. I do know it's not the same as carb spray, as it must have some lubricating properties to be able to spray it into the intake without harming the cylinders or pistons. Spraying carb cleaner into the carb throats serves no purpose and can definitely harm the motor, as it washes the lubricating oil in the fuel from the cylinder walls, causing the pistons to move up and down the cylinder walls with no lubrication. You can probably guess the outcome off doing this. So to answer your question, don't shoot carb spray through the carbs to clean them, as it won't help and no, it's not the same as Decarb spray.
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2003
Messages
22
Re: chemicals

Thanks Rick, you also answered a question I forgot to ask, I think, you spray decarb in the intake, but do you also remove the plugs and spray in the combustion chamber? Also, fogging oil,I take it that it is mainly used for winterizing?
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,753
Re: chemicals

Buy at least 2 cans of decarb. Some people use one can per cylinder.<br /><br />Run engine at fast idle, with engine running<br />spray liberal amount into each carb,<br />spray some more, spray a larger amount into carbs until engine chokes out and stops,<br />remove spark plugs and spray decarb into each cylinder, install the spark plugs, let it soak for 1 to 12 hours. <br />Start the engine and run at medium throttle, or if at the lake, run it at full throttle. It won't hurt to spray some more through the carbs. Run it for atleast 10 minutes to flush the crud out of your engine
 

gewf631

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 4, 2003
Messages
489
Re: chemicals

I've had really good luck using Chevron's Techron® Concentrate - the stuff really cleaned-up an old motor I had.<br /><br />Usual disclaimers...
 
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