engine de-carbonization

[bedlam]

I had a recient post with reference to my 2000 prizm engine light treoubles. I went to a local GM Tech traing shop here, and spoke to the instructor, He thinks it could be the front O2 sensor, but also feels it could be carbon buildup in the engine, and sensor. He recomended an upper engine cleaner treatment.
This consists of a liquid being introduced to the intake, throught the PVC hose. It sets and then you start it and run it.
I was wondering if this seems right, or should I remove the sensor and try to "clean"it itself.
I also did a search, and find all kinds of people who swear by using the water treatment. One uses a small basketball needle to regulate the small amount of water that goes in.
I'd like to get some ideas of this 'trick" Here is a post to another forum.
www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?t=37969

Perhaps I should try this seafoam stuff..
Thanks. for your opinions.
Allan

[way2old]

I don't think you would have any luck trying to clean the sensor. The orifice is inside the shell of the sensor and you could not get to it without dismanteling the sensor which means a new sensor. The cleaning is a good idea, especially if vehicle is used for short trips or idles a lot. There are a lot of products out there that will do the job, so research it and have it done or do it yourself. Good luck.

[bedlam]

Yes that seems to make sence on the sensor. I just ordered one today. Ill keep my fingers crossed . hope that solves the light coming on. Thanks
Allan

[DanD]

I still use top end cleaners through the PCV system and have had some good results with it and yes the water trick was very popular back in the 70’s and early 80’s.
I stopped using water because I found it to aggressive as in ripping big chunks of carbon off and stuffing it into the cat clogging it. Let alone the chance of locking up the engine.
The big old V8 cast-iron brutes could handle the detonation a little better and the cats were big enough that you could probably fire a golf ball through it and not get it stuck. LOL. But now we’re dealing with engines like Chevy’s quad four that would likely spit a rod or blow a head gasket because of the violent explosions the water would produce.
The stuff I’m using now is from Bardahl that is called Super Tune; it’s a three-part kit. One container goes in the gas tank, an aerosol cleaner is sprayed through the throttle valve with the engine running, then another container is fed through the PCV system by an adjustable siphon that atomizes the liquid as it leaves the container.
Like I said, I’ve had good results with this stuff on vehicles that have failed an emissions test for NOX. It seems to strip some of the carbon out of the combustion chamber and sort of wakes up the cat by doing the same thing there. But it not so aggressive that it’ll damage the cat by over heating it; not like some of the other cleaners that have chemicals in it that will ignite causing excessive heat and melting the catalyst.
I’m no chemist so I don’t know how it works but it seems to do a pretty good job; if carbon is the cause of the issue
Here’s a link to some of their propaganda.
www.bardahl.ca/news.html
Dan.

[re-tired]

I also have had good results with the Bardahl & Seafoam brands. Ditto on the new eng not handling the water treatment as well. Our shop had very good results with the Motor Vac machine.