Carbon build up. Solvent solution?

[tom52]

I have replaced the exhaust elbow on my Volvo diesel that was entirely blocked by rust,mineral,salt carbon deposits. (It did not survive the brick cleaner treatment!)
But also, my 13 year old exhaust manifold is very heavily coated in thick sooty carbon deposits. The deposits are hard and appear to be about 6mm thick but just carbon.(As the manifold is upstream of the cooling sea water it does not have the rust/salt/mineral deposits that destroyed the exhaust elbow.)
Is there a solvent that will remove the carbon build up if I remove the manifold to try and decarb it ?
Or is there some other method ?
Or can I safely assume the build up was caused by the restricted exhaust elbow and will not now get any worse ?

 

[steve28]

my wife uses a decarboniser at work in the commercial kitchen, as far as i know its just caustic solution thats bubbled and heated.
used to clean all the cooking bars from the char grill etc.

 

[LittleShip]

I would assume that your engine is not running hot enough if you have serious carbon build up in the exhaust. Replace the Thermostat even if the temperature gauge reads that it is warm enough as they can be miles out.

As for removal of the deposits, there probably is something but I dont know, I have always resorted to the blunt screwdriver then wet and dry!

Tom

 

[ThereAndBack]

Carburettor cleaner - available in most motor accessories shops for about £2. Usually as a spray - it will probable need spraying on and wiping down several times if the carbon is thick, as the stuff evaporates quite quickly.

Alan

 

[oldsaltoz]

We have cleaned the carbon from the elbow a few times now, used degreaser and hot water, let it soak and wire brush.

Hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[pampas]

Only if its cast iron ,then I would remove and soak in Caustic Soda solution then blast out with water, but be very carefull, used to do motor bike cylinders with this method. at sea our burner tips were withdrawn straight from boiler and the whole spray bar dunked into a very weak solution washed when cool in deisel the spray holes reamed with a sized alloy wire and put back into service within an hour. If the Carbon does not fall off its a hard mud consistency.