Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

Rob Hoehn /

May 10, 2001 02:35PM

I'm in the process of cleaning up my Batavus engine and getting all the carbon build-up out of the port. Its a freakin pain to scrape out. A guy at work mentioned to get a grinder attatchment for my drill and just grind it all out with that. He said that its good to get it as clean as possible (even little uneven bumps and stuff) and it should be real smooth for the best airflow. Is it okay to use a grinder on it?

BTW, if anyone's been following my other posts, I brought the head into a machine shop and they are fixing the spark plug heads and putting some kind of permanent insert in it. It will be such a luxury to have the right size spark plug!! Thanks yet again for all your advice.

Rob

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

Ken /

May 10, 2001 02:49PM

A dremel tool or B&D Wizard is ideal for this sort of thing. Just be very careful not to get any dust inside the engine or it will do a wonderful job of eating the engine up. It's best to pull the jug if you do it. Cleaning up the rough spots in the ports will not hurt, and may give you a slight increase in performance.

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

don-ohio /

May 10, 2001 03:04PM

Hi! I wouldn't use a grinder or anything which would deposit grit near the piston rings or cylinder wall.You've got to be really careful when you're cleaning without disassembling,because there'll be some particles you can't remove. Use a vacuum sweeper hose before you oil it and reassemble.now if you could block any openings so none of the grinding wheel particles could get into the works,a light dremeling job would probably be o.k.. Here's a trick I use if I'm in a jam and can't get around the problem: Cut a piece of clean shop rag to the size you need to stuff into the area you don't want contaminated. Use enough so the rag will try to expand back out the hole.Now take STP and coat the end of the rag.If you're careful and don't disturb this cloth ,the dirt or particles will not get past the STP into the critical area.When you're done buffing or drilling,just take needle nose pliers and pull thrag back thru the opening and wipe your working area with a clean rag.YOU'RE DONE! Hope this may help somebody. BYE!

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

Rob Hoehn /

May 10, 2001 03:08PM

I actually did pull the jug. What is the best way to clean it out so it is perfectly spotless when I put it back in??

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

don-ohio /

May 10, 2001 03:14PM

Hey,Rob! I forgot to mention that I just bought a 1978 BATAVUS Starflite the other day which we calculate might have as little as 2500 mi. on it.It was so pretty because the kid said he `shined it' every week that 100.00 dollars seemed a pittance for it. I wish it was a top-tank model but at least it has the nice, big seat.What I wanted to ask was if you or somebody could give me a little insight about it's single speed system and it's ignition until I can get the shop manual for it.Any advice would make me happy! THANKS!

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

Fred /

May 10, 2001 03:15PM

It is not important to be "perfectly spotless" before you put it together.

You won't gain any performance in a ped engine from doing that.

Just scrape all the crud out.

A screwdriver or chisel will get the job done in 15 minutes or so.

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

Fred /

May 10, 2001 03:48PM

I may have misunderstood.

If you were talking about cleanliness... The best way to clean the cylinder is with HOT soapy water.. like in a bucket with dishsoap and a toothbrush scrub in the ports and bore.

If you were talking about getting every last iota of carbon out.. Then that is really not worth anything performance wise.

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

Rob Hoehn /

May 10, 2001 04:52PM

Specifically, what info are you looking for about the starflite? I am waiting for my shop manual to arrive also, so I probably won't be able to tell you much.

Rob

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

don-ohio /

May 10, 2001 06:03PM

Thanks,Rob,for the reply! I guess I wasn't asking for a specific answer. What type BATAVUS do you have? Can I have an e-mail address ? If so, I'm don45640@yahoo.com THANKS!

Re: Cleaning out Carbon Build-Up

j /

Jun 10, 2001 03:56PM

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MOPED ARMY

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