Urban vehicle operation, frequent downtime in traffic jams and the use of fuel of questionable quality inevitably lead to the formation of solid deposits in the combustion chamber. cokingIt affects pistons, rings and valves, reducing compression and power of the power unit. Many drivers face increased oil consumption and difficult start, without even knowing that the reason lies in the coked oil removable rings.
There is a common misconception that to restore the engine to work, you need to overhaul the cylinder block with a complete disassembly. scoopingThis method allows you to dissolve and burn the carbon monoxide, returning mobility to the piston rings without laborious interference with the design of the engine. It is important to understand that the effectiveness of the procedure depends on the correct choice of reagent and adherence to the technology.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to clean the engine from the swelling inside without disassembling, and assess the risks of different approaches. You will learn about the differences between soft and hard washing, and also get a step-by-step algorithm for self-procedure. Ignoring the problem of scorching can lead to the occurrence of rings and the need for expensive repairs, so timely prevention is critical for the longevity of your life. ICE.
Causes of the formation of soot and consequences for the engine
The main source of solid deposits in the engine are the products of incomplete combustion of the fuel-air mixture and carbon compounds formed during the thermal decomposition of engine oil. When the car often runs at low speeds or idle with the engine running for a long time, the temperature in the combustion chamber is not enough to completely burn out these substances. garment.
The particular danger is that the oil rings are locked in, and the nagar blocks their mobility, so they stop snugly fitting against the cylinder walls and removing the excess oil, and it leads to the grease entering the combustion chamber, where it burns up, forming more sediments, and the closed circle closes: more coar, worse rings, more oil in the cylinders, more soak. laying rings and loss of compression.
⚠️ Attention: Ignoring the symptoms of rings, such as gray smoke from the exhaust pipe and “oil” can lead to burnout pistons or bullying in the cylinders, which will require a full overhaul.
In addition, the layer of coar reduces the volume of the combustion chamber, which increases the degree of compression and can cause detonation, spontaneous ignition of the mixture. Detonation impacts devastatingly on the piston group and the head of the cylinder block. Also, the coar can cause valves to burn out, since deposits on the saddles prevent the valve from closing tightly, disrupting the heat sink and causing it to overheat.
Review of decoking tools: chemical composition and effectiveness
The automotive chemicals market offers a wide range of anti-collection products that can be divided into several categories according to the principle of action and aggressiveness. The choice of a particular product depends on the degree of engine contamination and the desired result. The main components of most drugs are solvents, alkalis and surfactants that can soften and dissolve carbon deposits at high temperatures.
The most popular are dimethyl sulfoxide and various organic solvents, which are highly penetrating and effectively soften even old coke. However, it is worth remembering that aggressive chemistry can adversely affect rubber seals and glands if you overcontain the composition in the engine. So when choosing a liquid, it is important to pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations regarding compatibility with engine materials.
There are also soft-coking oils that are added to motor oil 100 to 200 kilometers before it is replaced, and they work in the normal operation of the car, gradually cleaning the parts. Although less effective against severe contamination, it is safer for rubber components and suitable for regular prevention. The table below compares the main types of products.
| Type of instrument | Method of application | Efficiency | Safety for rubber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggressive chemistry (Noise, GZox) | Filling cylinders overnight | High. | Medium (requires caution) |
| Soft washing (Lavr, Hi-Gear) | Additive to the oil before replacement | Medium | High. |
| Fuel additives | Additive to the gas tank | Low (prevention) | High. |
| Dimexide (pharmacy) | Filling in cylinders | Very high. | Low (corrodes paint and plastic) |
Special attention deserves dimexide It's a medical product that some garage makers use as a cheap alternative to specialized chemistry, and it's really a great way to dissolve soda, but it carries serious risks: it can damage the paintwork of the pallet, corrode the plastics and spoil the gums, and it requires extreme caution and understanding the possible consequences.
Why can’t you use acetone or solvent?
Acetone is too aggressive and can damage rubber seals, as well as create an explosive vapor mixture. The solvent is effective but requires professional pressure-feeding equipment, unlike finished aerosols.
Preparation of the engine for the cleaning procedure
Before you start directly applying the cleaning composition, you need to properly prepare the engine. The quality of the work depends largely on the temperature of the engine and the state of the ignition system. An unprepared engine may not warm up to the desired temperature, and the chemistry is not activated, or, conversely, overheat, which will lead to rapid evaporation of the solvent before the reaction.
First of all, you need to warm up the engine to operating temperature, usually 70-90 degrees Celsius. On a hot engine, the oil becomes more liquid, which makes it easier for the decoker to penetrate into hard-to-reach places, and also softens the deposits. After warming up, you need to turn off the engine and unscrew all the spark plugs (on gasoline cars) or nozzles / calorifers (on diesel engines), this will provide access to the combustion chambers of each cylinder.
An important step is to check the oil level. If you plan to use an aggressive "hard" decoking, which may partially get into the crankcase, it is recommended to replace the oil in advance or have a supply of fresh lubricant for immediate replacement after the procedure, it is also worth preparing a syringe with a tube to pump out the remaining liquid from the cylinders before starting the engine.
☑️ Preparation for decoction
Remember to turn off the ignition system by turning off the coil connectors or the central wire of the trambler. This will prevent accidental sparking and ignition of solvent vapors during engine scrolling by the starter. Safety when working with reactive substances and rotating mechanisms should be a priority.
Hard decoding technology: step-by-step instructions
Hard-coking is considered to be the most effective method for run-through engines where there is a significant occurrence of rings, and the essence of the method is to pour concentrated solution directly into the engine cylinders for a long time, which allows the chemistry to actively act on the coke, soften it and turn it into an emulsion, which is then removed when the engine is running.
After twisting the candles and placing the pistons in the middle position (about halfway of the stroke of the piston), the manufacturer's recommended amount of the product (usually 30-50 ml) is poured into each cylinder. Then the candles are twisted back (or the holes are covered with a rag), and the engine is left alone. exposure time varies from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the instructions for the specific drug and the degree of contamination.
After a while, remove the remaining liquid from the cylinders, and it is recommended to turn the engine several times with the starter with twisted candles and open throttle valves (gas pedal to the floor), this will create maximum pressure to eject dissolved soda through the candle wells, then you can twist the candles, start the engine and let it work at idle speeds for 10-15 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: During the first run after decoking, the engine may become very smokey. This is normal - burns out the residues of chemicals and sodium. Do the procedure in a well-ventilated room or outside, away from people and animals.
The final step is to replace the engine oil and oil filter. Since part of the decoker inevitably gets into the crankcase, the oil lubricating properties deteriorate, and further use of “old” oil with aggressive impurities is unacceptable. In some cases, with very severe pollution, after 100-200 km of mileage, it is recommended to repeat the oil replacement.
To avoid aggressive chemicals on the paintwork of the body or elements of the hood space, cover the engine and wings of the car with a dense film or old blankets before starting work.
Soft oiling and oil washing
For low-mileage engines or as a preventive measure, the “soft” decoking method is excellent. It does not require disassembly or complex manipulation of candles. A special additive is added to the engine oil 100-200 kilometers before the planned replacement. During this time, the car is operated in normal mode, but with a speed limit (usually no more than 4000 rpm).
The principle of operation of such agents is based on gradual softening of the soda and increasing the detergent capacity of the oil. Active components penetrate into the gaps between the rings and the walls of the cylinders, restoring the mobility of the rings. This method is less stressful for the engine, since the concentration of active substances is lower and they operate in a gentle temperature regime.
The advantage of soft decoking is that it doesn't risk hydraulic shock or damage to engine components due to errors in the procedure, but it's worth noting that against old, fossilized sodium, this method may not be effective, but rather is suitable for keeping the engine clean after major cleaning or for new cars.
There is also a method of washing the engine with special washing oils or "five-minute" oils, which, although they effectively remove sludge and dirt from the oil channels, their ability to dissolve solid coke on the pistons is limited, so it is better to use specialized decoxers to solve the problem of oil and rings, and the washing oil is used only to clean the lubrication system.
Soft decoking is prevention, not treatment, of serious engine diseases, and if oil consumption is high, only hard work or repairs will help.
Evaluation of the result and frequency of the procedure
You can see if the decoking has helped, and there are a number of indirect signs that you can see right after the procedure and in the course of the operation, and first of all, you can look at the color of the exhaust gases, because after the chemical residue burns out, the smoke should become transparent, and you should also reduce the consumption of oil on the carbon monoxide, if it was the sluggish rings.
A more accurate estimate would be measured before and after the procedure. If the compression leveled in all cylinders and approached the factory values, then the rings developed and began to perform their function. Improved acceleration dynamics and lower fuel consumption also indicate successful removal of the scorch and restoration of the tightness of the combustion chamber.
As for frequency, it is not recommended to carry out “hard” decoking too often because of the aggressive effects of chemistry: the optimal interval is every 60-80,000 kilometers of run or when the first signs of oil jelly appear.
Now, remember, decoking is not a panacea, because if you have critical wear, if you have the rings physically worn off, if you have valve damage, the chemistry doesn't work, and you need mechanical intervention, but for many engines, cleaning the carbon monoxide in a timely manner can extend the lifespan by tens of thousands of kilometers.
Can I uncook the engine without changing the oil?
No, you can't. The aggressive components of the decoker, when they get into the crankcase, significantly reduce the lubricating properties of the oil, and operating the engine in this oil will cause accelerated wear of the rubbing vapors, the crankshaft liners and the camshaft, and the oil and filter replacement is mandatory immediately after the procedure.
Will the engine eat 1 liter of oil per 100 km?
The probability of success is low. This oil consumption indicates either critical wear of the cylinder piston group or the coking of the oil caps (valve ossels). The rings can improve the situation slightly, but often in such cases repairs to the HBC or the socket block are required.
Is the decoking dangerous for the catalyst?
Yes, burnout products and the chemicals themselves can clog or melt the cells of the catalyst due to high combustion temperature and chemical activity, it is recommended to perform the procedure, pre-evaluating the condition of the catalyst, or be ready to replace / remove it in case of severe engine contamination.
Do I need to turn the engine after pouring the funds?
Some techniques ("dynamic decoking") recommend periodically scrolling the engine with a starter while settling the means, which helps distribute the fluid across the rings. However, this should be done carefully so as not to plant the battery and not overheat the starter. Static method (just pour and leave) is also effective when using high-quality chemistry.
Can I use kerosene instead of special products?
Using a mixture of kerosene and acetone is a “grandfather” method that was popular in the era of autochemistry shortages. Kerosene has good penetrating power, but it is less effective against modern carbon monoxide produced from synthetic oils and additives. In addition, kerosene washes away oil film, which increases the risk of corrosion and bullying on the first run. Modern specialized products are safer and more effective.