Engine decarb

[ob]

I have a few fairly generic questions to ask of all you fellow boaters.Something I've just been wondering as part of my own maitenance program.<br />#1-Do you decarb your motor as part of your preventive maitenance?<br />#2-If so, how often do you schedule this procedure?<br />#3-What type or brand decarb product do you use?<br /><br />Any and all responses are welcomed.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Engine decarb

Yes I decarb, <br />not sure if it is for pm or performance enhancement. I guess it is both.<br /><br />Haven't stuck with one brand since the few retailers around here that carry it , keep switching brands.<br /><br />About every 10 hours if I am trolling a lot, otherwise it could about 30 hours,<br />or once a week if I'm on a week long fishing trip.<br /><br />I am running a '95 70hp Force.<br />My small ob only gets decarbed once every year or two.

 

[ob]

Re: Engine decarb

^

 

[grandx]

Re: Engine decarb

I decarb once/year between 80 and 110 hours usually, then replace plugs afterwards.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Engine decarb

Every Fall, using Deep Crank. Works for me!

 

[sterling66]

Re: Engine decarb

What is this? Have not heard of this before.After all of you stop laughing. Please explain product and how this is done.Thanks

 

[sterling66]

Re: Engine decarb

^

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Engine decarb

Rickdb1boat<br />me to ?? what is this deep crank ??<br />and where do you find it.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Engine decarb

sterling66: Unleaded gas tends to build up carbon on the pistons and in the cylinders of an outboard. This can cause serious damage if excessive. Each manufacturer makes a product to remove the carbon, usually recommending use every 50 hours. OMC's, for example, is called Engine Tuner. You can get it at any marine shop. I havn"t noticed that many dealers cover this with customers, although it is an important maintenance item. Hope this helps.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Engine decarb

NOSLEEP <br />You can get it at NAPA auto parts. It's made by Seafoam products. Basically, you warm up the engine and shoot it in each carb. while running at high idle. Then spray until it dies and let it sit for an hour or so(Depending on the Product) and restart it. Eats all the carbon out of the cylinders and off the piston surface. Smokes like crazy if you have alot of build-up. Almost any Decarbing product you can find will work. Just follow the directions for each one. Some "Soak" longer or shorter than others.

 

[V156]

Re: Engine decarb

I wonder if rickdbiboat is talking about Deep Creep that's made by Seafoam. That's what I use every 50-60 hrs. That may be a bit much but with a 23 year old motor I don't think you can decarb too much. At least that's what I've read on this board. I used the Deep Creep a few months ago and my old rude smoked like a freight train. Then I repeated the process and got less smoke.For $5.99 a can you can be sure you have any carbon buildup under wraps.<br /><br />Dutch

 

[smcg71]

Re: Engine decarb

Hi all. I spoke with a reputable mechanic and he told me all those commercial decarbs were a waste of money. He suggested either spraying or slowly pouring water slowly into the carb of my I/O Volvo Penta just until it wants to stall then repeat process for about ten minutes. His theory was the water instantly turns to steam and the extreme heat literally "steam cleans" the inside of the engine. I have done it many times as preventative maintenance measure. Has anyone heard of this method?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Engine decarb

sheephead,<br />Yes, I've heard of it. The old timers used to do it alot. The only thing I see wrong with it, is that there is no lubrication when you do this. It washes the oil from the cylinder walls, whereas the engine turner or decarb. spray has lubricants in it to prevent that from happening. At least there're suppose to. That's why I use a commercial product to decarb instead of water. Once a year at $6.00 is a small price to pay for the added insurance. But if water works for you with no consequences, then I'd go for it.

 

[cloumar]

Re: Engine decarb

sheephead,<br /><br />I know this method, it is an old way of doing this was before chemical came on the market. Myself am not too hot to try this with a 2 cycles engine since the mixture is use to lube the crank and rod I wonder even in small amount that water could make damages to the motor internal parts.<br /><br />I don't see any problem with a 4 strokes - I did it on cars few times, but you have to be careful and be sure to not dump or spray too much water at the same time, imagine water on hot parts ?<br /><br />With chemical spray there is a volume of lubricant in it and is absorbing the heat of the engine better than water which tends to expand in steam.<br /><br />This is only MO ! May be I am dead wrong.<br /><br />Mario

 

[BillP]

Re: Engine decarb

I use OMC "Tuner" once a season. Frequency really matters on how you use the engine, oil ratios, temps, etc. The hard part is getting every cylinder fogged at once...I do one carb at a time to make sure.<br /><br />I have to disagree with the "reputable mechanic" saying this stuff is a waste of money. Chemical decarbing will take a heavily carboned piston top and bring it back to looking like new...off the shelf new. This method is totally non-destructive and no chance of harming the engine.<br /><br />Water/steaming?...to each his own but the savings is about the cost of a Big Mac meal for two.