Best way to clean cylinder head, pistons and valves?

[LilPeteMordino]

Removed the cylinder head on my 106 rallye last night (Long overdue, been sat for a while ). Was off the road for a while due to failing the MOT on emissions diagnosed as probably valve stem seal failure.

Whats the best way to clean the pistons, head and valves? I've heard that the valves mounted in a drill with a bit of emery cloth will sort them out, but unsure as I don't really want to damage the stem of the valve...?

Attached are pictures to show how much is coated in crap. Was burning oil for a while it seems.

Any advice would be fantastic.















The deposits on the piston's doesn't seem too 'hard' but that one valve looks like it'll be a pain in the ass.

Any advice would be appreciated, or if you can see something I haven't seen!

[BritishRacinGrin]

You're going to have to grenade the head if you're going to make a half decent fist of cleaning that up. Once you've stripped it, stick it in the dishwasher. Don't forget to gently re-lap the valves into their original seats on reassembly.
No need to be overly fastidious with that, hard carbon is just added compression ratio- just get the easier stuff off while you're in there.

Tops of piston- raise the piston you want to clean to TDC,scrape the deposits off with a plastic scraper, taking care not to let the scrapings get in between the piston top and bore.

That amount of coke / crud really isn't too unusual for a well used engine.

Edited by BritishRacinGrin on Friday 25th July 10:57

[Crafty_]

degreaser/tricoethylene as used in parts washers etc ?

Is the ring in the bore pics, just about the pistons a ridge ?

[BritishRacinGrin]

Crafty_ said:

Is the ring in the bore pics, just about the pistons a ridge ?

yeah reflection of the slight dish in the piston.

By the way OP, a little petrol in a squirty bottle on the piston tops first to ease cleaning.

[LilPeteMordino]

Cheers for the replies guys, Looks like Sunday is sorted.

Yeah agreed it'll take loads to get it spotless, Like pointed out just looking to get the majority of it off.

[HumbleJim]

BritishRacinGrin said:

Once you've stripped it, stick it in the dishwasher.

Edited by BritishRacinGrin on Friday 25th July 10:57

I would be very wary of the wrath of wife beast on this one.

[LilPeteMordino]

HumbleJim said:

BritishRacinGrin said:

Once you've stripped it, stick it in the dishwasher.

Edited by BritishRacinGrin on Friday 25th July 10:57

I would be very wary of the wrath of wife beast on this one.

Haha, I'm sure I can knock up a similar sort of system without using the nice Bosch in the kitchen

[DVandrews]

Pack a little grease in the gap between the side of the piston crown and the bore, clean the crown, then lower the piston by 20mm and wipe the contaminated grease away.

Dave

[Si1295]

If you've got a local company that does Soda Blasting then that is the best way (imo)

[Evoluzione]

Si1295 said:

If you've got a local company that does Soda Blasting then that is the best way (imo)

Whilst it's not been stated I think he means with the engine still in and just head off....