to decarb motor or not?

[steelhead1]

i have a 1990 evinrude 120 that i have owned since 1996.it is used 90% of the time trolling on the great lakes.it is the best trolling motor i have had and had many comments on it from people that fish with me on how great and smooth it runs.i have never decarbed this motor.it never fouls plugs one set will last me the year.i have had it in the shop 2 times.getting the carbs rebuilt and everything checked over to be safe.i hear so much on this decarbing motors i am wondering if i should start doing it to this evinrude.the mechanic i go to has never mentioned decarbing my motor.i know omc sells a product for this procedure.so should i start decarbing my motor yearly?<br />thank you

 

[Franki]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

Yes...<br /><br />you have no idea how much carbon gets around your rings and whatnot... especially trolling..<br />decarb will reduce that.. <br /><br />using decarb fuel additive is a good idea too..<br /><br />give it a go once every year or two...<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki

 

[zzzzz]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

the only real answer would be to pull one of the heads and check the internal condition of the head,the top of the piston,etc.to check for carbon build-up...of course you won't be able to see the piston rings and this is where it is critical NOT to have a carbon build-up.do yourself and your engine a favor-go into a constant decarb program by adding a good additive each tankful..ie: YAMAHA ring-free,OMC carbon guard,etc

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

Agree. Decarbing is very important to the long life of an outboard. A friend in the business makes a lot of money rebuilding powerheads for people who don't.

 

[JB]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

Ahoy, Steelhead.<br /><br />Decarbing an engine that doesn't need it can do no harm, except to your pocketbook.<br /><br />On the other hand, if it does need it decarbing greatly extends the useful life of your engine.<br /><br />Decarb regularly.

 

[steelhead1]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

thanks guys for your reply.i will decarb it as soon as spring arrives here in mich.<br />scott

 

[NathanY]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

I dont know if I agree with decarbing anymore. I decarbed all my engines religiously, but when I replaced a head gasket on my 25hp evinrude, I saw lots of carbon on the head and piston top. I use Merc Power Tune, it might work good on rings, but I dont think that it works on the firing dome. I DO however know for a fact that spritzing water in the carb works,(dont do unless you know exactly what your doing!) but for as for commercially available products, I dont think they work as good as some believe, I think it is hype.

 

[12Footer]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

None of the carbon removers will completely remove carbon...Not even close. But the real question is, how much would've been there WITHOUT decarbing??<br /><br />My whole take on the subject is this;<br />All 2cycle engines build up carbon under the ring lands..That's basic theory, and not in despute.<br />The richer the mixture, the more carbon...And seeing how running an engine too lean can destroy them, I'd rather deal with the extrra carbon. Does it remove all of it? No. But what it does remove, buys me hours of operation between rebuilds (the only other way of removing carbon from the most critical of areas within the engine).<br />So I be doin it.

 

[steelhead1]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

is there any one product better than the others?or should i use the omc engine tuner.<br />scott

 

[12Footer]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

You got me there. I used to use water (because that is what my dad tought me to use). Now I use Valvetect spray treatment, as my motors don't seem to like additives of any kind....NS... I can't even use Sta-Bil without side-effects!<br />So I usually treat after every (or every other) trip using the spray. But take into account, I do an inordinate amount of idling. As for best, you'll get as many different answers as there are folks with boats.<br />But rest assued, they all help reduce the amount of carbon deposits, and none of them eliminate it.

 

[steelhead1]

Re: to decarb motor or not?

thank you for your advice.<br />scott