Ultrasonic Cleaning Heads w/ Ceramic Coating

[tocobill]

I picked up a cheap cheap ultra sonic tub. I am cleaning all the hard carbon deposits off the pistons with it. Its working pretty well. Just using a water and alum safe degreaser mix. I want to use it to clean the heads but am worried about the ceramic coating in the exhaust ports. Heads are from a 993 3.6. I have seen big shops clean other 911 heads this way but never a 3.6. I would imagine its the same ... just worried about the coating. Is it safe? Thanks.

[CCPCoatings.com]

Originally Posted by tocobill

I picked up a cheap cheap ultra sonic tub. I am cleaning all the hard carbon deposits off the pistons with it. Its working pretty well. Just using a water and alum safe degreaser mix. I want to use it to clean the heads but am worried about the ceramic coating in the exhaust ports. Heads are from a 993 3.6. I have seen big shops clean other 911 heads this way but never a 3.6. I would imagine its the same ... just worried about the coating. Is it safe? Thanks.

What kind of cleaner is it? I'm assuming if it's taking carbon off the pistons, it works well for degreasing as well. How quickly does it clean dirt/oil?

As for the ceramic in your ports, I'm not sure what kind is being used there but I would say go ahead and clean them if you must. If they are coated properly you shouldn't have any issues. If they are not, better you have a failure in the cleaning tub than in a running engine.

[tocobill]

Its a cheap HF cleaner. I have a Big $$$ tub at work but dont have access to it right now. Im looking online for some larger tubs ... 8 - 15 Gal tubs. This cleaner for the money is fairly good. I have some baked on hard carbon on the pistons. I can do two pistons at a time. Most of the crud comes off the piston with in 5 min ... The carbon takes a good bit longer. Im sure with a more aggressive degreaser it would come off quicker but not worth the risk. Looks like the heads and cylinders will fit too but will have to half of them and then flip it.

[thumbdoctor]

Ceramic coating should stay on regardless of cleaner. Just think of what hits the stuff during combustion / exhaust. As you already mentioned you're using aluminum safe cleaner. Ceramics and aluminum are mostly affected by alkaline cleaners and acid which tends to etch them. I tested my cleaner by putting old spark plugs in it and using different types of detergents. The most damaging was CLR which etched the shine off the porcelain.

[KTL]

Are you referring to the ceramic liner/insert in the exhaust ports?

[tocobill]

Yes ... the exhaust ceramic coating.

[KTL]

OK. That material is very durable.

Think of it this way, it has to withstand things like fuel injector/system cleaner. That stuff is some NASTY stuff with all sorts of hexanes, ketones and all sorts of other carcinogenic volatile organic compounds that eat carbon off of valves and combustion chambers in many cases only one fuel tank treatment. Berryman B12 Chemtool is one brand i've used that is that effective. NASTY stuff.....

[911pcars]

The ceramic passage PAG and other manufacturers use in their exhaust ports shouldn't be confused with the various ceramic coatings sprayed or otherwise applied to engine parts for heat insulation.

Porsche, as well as other manufacturers have patents on their own processes which reads as a rigid/semi-rigid structure made from various insulation materials. This is opposed to typical ceramic coatings which are sprayed onto a surface which results in a coating a few mils thick.

Patente US4648243 - Hollow ceramic body - Google Patentes

Properly-applied, ceramic coated surfaces are tough enough to withstand some level of mechanical friction/abrasion (often used in gun/rifle receivers, knives, etc.). In addition to sprayed exhaust headers and engine components, some aftermarket alloy wheels are ceramic coated to withstand the effects of typical solvents, oils, greases, brake fluid, etc. found in and around vehicles.

Sherwood

[HiWind]

anyone have a magic additive for the Ultrasonic tank solution? Re carbs, pistons and heads.

I see some carb guy suggest vinegar or medium strength degreaser etc.. figured there might be something a little better though a good 3 hrs at 60deg Celsius and the piston carbon does loosen up alot and a gentle clean/polish removes the rest.

[Harpo]

I use diluted simple green

[cgarr]

get a 5 gal bucket of Berryman 0905 Chem-dip Professional not for the ultrasonic cleaner. makes the old sealer come off like snot and the carbon is gone.

[reclino]

Try using aircraft paint stripper for carbon removal on pistons, valves, and cylinder heads. It's the same active ingredient in the Berryman, methylene chloride, it takes almost no time, and the carbon wipes right off.
Enjoy
David
Performance EngiNERDing

[Tippy]

I wouldn't worry about any cleaners hurting the ceramic coating as the ultrasonic hurting it (not saying it will hurt the heads, but maybe the coating?).

Ultrasonic can hurt parts at the right resonant frequency. Here's a visual of what could happen:

How Ultrasonic Cleaners can Damage Parts | Zenith Ultrasonics

[pampadori]

any reason why a brass cone brush head on a die grinder wouldn't work to remove the carbon? its on the head of the piston and not int he ring lands or on the skirts i'm assuming.

[targa72e]

+1 for Berryman 0905 Chem-dip. I soak pistons overnight and clean melted carbon off with toothbrush. Clean and then put in ultrasonic tank with Dawn dishwashing soap. Final cleaning and they look like new.

john