Hello,
My name is Matt and I am just about half way through a 22RE rebuild.

I have a few questions.

My pistons have some carbon build up on them, I was wondering what I should use to clean them up. The carbon is pretty hard and comes up little by little if I pick at it. Is there anything I can get from auto zone or any local parts store that will make this easier.

I am also having trouble getting the bolt out that holds the harmonic balancer, I have heard about the wrench on the frame and cranking the engine over to get it loose, however my steering colom is right up to the front of the vehicle and I don't really want to remove it. Is there any other way to budge this loose?

I have an air compressor, should I just purchase/rent a fairly inexpensive numatic air drill?

Thanks for any help guys..

 

As far as cleaning your pistons, soak them in carb clean over night. it will loosen up and disolve the carbon. unless you have them still in the block. Then spray them down with some carb clean and carefully scrap off the carbon. As for the bolt, go for the impact gun. if that doesn't, use a chain wrench to hold the pulley still and grab a big cheater bar.

 

Thanks for the quick info, I will try it tommorow and see how it goes. will post some pics of progress.



Thanks Mate!

 

i soaked mine in brake fluid ('leakdown test'), then a lil sea foam after and mine came clean with a towel after that.


brake fluid:


all clean:

 

So you are saying that brake fluid will eat away at the carbon build up, I never would have thought of that. Is the brake fluid supposed to sit ontop of the piston and not drain down the side.

Also, how long should I soke brake fluid/carb cleaner on the piston.



Thanks,
M

 

till you get them clean. probably wouldn't leave it in there over night. just because. it all depends how quickly and easily it comes off. you may have to soak over night or several hours. just be carefull and play it by ear.

 

i let mine soak for like 2 days. it was for a leakdown test to see how the rings are sealing. its an old trick. the rings didnt let any fluid pass.

....and the oil got changed anyways. but it works. only needed a towel to remove the carbon. pics prove it.

 

I would suggest pulling the chain through a bicycle inner tube before you use it on the pulley. If you nick the pulley, it could wear away at your drive belt faster.

 

i know brake fluid will eat paint pretty quick but i never though about using it on carbon buildup, but if it works then it works. wouldnt seafoam work on breaking up carbon too?

 

Why are you reusing pistons? If your 22R-series is needing a rebuild, it'll have enough wear on the piston bores to need them bored to get them back into a perfect cylinder shape again. Pistons and rings should be replaced during rebuild.


Outside of that, I've used paint remover on old pistons (no rebuild, just a head gasket deal) - to help remove carbon.

 

Amsoil power foam works great to get rid of carbon build up, even if you run it through when the engine is together,

Sounds like you are just "re-ringing" it??

Like dcg9381 said you should just get a set of new pistons, engine kits for 22re's are SOOOO cheap its not worth the time to not have the block bored and install new pistons,