GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Only have about 60k miles, but previous owner never really hit lift in the car. Wondering if I may have some carbon build up. I've heard about seamfoam and other solvents, but I was told to use water through a vacuum line at a steady idle and let the water turn to steam and flake off the carbon. I was curious to see if anyone has used water, or any solvent and what your opinion is on it. It'd mean a lot. Thanks!

um no i've NEVER heard to use WATER.

Yep I've never heard about that either but a google search informs me that this was a crazy and risky way to clean out a carbureted engine. It was done using spray bottle though. I would think that running a stream of water though an engine is a bad idea. To answer your question there are solvents made to do this type of thing such a seafoam. Perhaps your used to driving around something with a bit more hp? Although the GT should act like it has decent pick up. If you wanna clean the engine you could try one of those engine cleaning motor oils for the next few changes. Mobile CLEAN 5000 is a dino example. That would be great to use if your car is already on dino. Just gotta be careful about not going crazy with messing around adding too many different oil additives from walmart. my buddy messed around with his oil too much in his jeep and ruined the engine.

'Ever hear of hydro-lock?Traditional anti freeze does a good job of burning/cleaning out carbon too, but I wouldn't try that haphazardly either.Now there is such a thing as water injection which I tried back in the '80's on a Volvo I had then. Essentially it was a bottle w/a hose attached to it, not unlike a washer bottle, that had a small machined venturi inserted into the hose based on the size of the engine and that all "T"ed into a vacuum hose, in my case the brake booster vacuum hose. Even with the timing advanced to ridiculous levels and the fuel leaned out it didn't seem to do anything so it didn't last too long.The only place I would truly worry about carbon using today's fuels and engines is in the EGR valve and system. They are still prone to clogging, but you can usually take care of that by removing the valve and connector pipe, if it has one, and mechanically cleaning out the carbon.If further cleaning is needed, or for your own peace of mind, I would stick with the Seafoam (or equivalent) method.

Yeah I was just curious about it. I mean it doesn't feel like it's bogged down. I just feel like I had more power a couple years ago. But that could just me being getting used to it.Thanks for all your input though guys.

you can go to Valvoline and they run some chemicals through the engine to clean it alittle

I used water back in the day,but the motors were carburated,seems Seafoam is the way now.heres a link that I savedhttp://www.lt1engine.com/tech/...ildup/

just use seafoam. i noticed a big difference after i put it through the vac line. you should third it up between the vac, oil, and gas tank.

Watercleaning inside an engine? That's right about up there with "blinker fluid" and "go fast stickers". You can use water to clean the outside of the engine but since water is not combustible it will not be effective, nor should it be used at all.

heh, I did it on my old 2001 Chevy Prizm when I was told I had carbon buildup and the mechanic wanted >$200 to clean it.I hooked an extension tube onto a vac hose (past the MAF sensor). Sucked 1/3 can sea foam, and about 2 cups of hot water, SLOWLY. went out and drove it like I stole it, then repeated one more time. Seemed to somewhat do the trick. (a bit more power, better mpg) Couldn't tell you for sure long term as I wrecked the car about 2 months after... and now have a 2010 vibe :-)Yes, you can really F#$K up your engine by hydro-locking, but it takes a large amount of water. The thousand dollar question is how much is too much...As always, do your own research and at your own risk...

That's a big way to clean engines in the rotary community since those cars are nearly impossible to hydrolock.Stick with Seafoam on a piston engine. It's more than proven it's capable of doing the job.

Steam removes carbon, water under high heat turns to steam.Hmmmmmm .....BUT.......Water not under high heat is WATER,Water does NOT compressLack of the ability to compress on a combustion stroke results in bent connecting rods, broken pistons, ruined crank bearings and possibly a cracked block or head or a blown head gasket.Will water removing carbon work? Absolutely! Should you do it? I'd say absolutely NOT !!!!Just use a quality gasoline, leave your no name crap at the no name station and fill up with a known brand with quality engine cleaning additives. That should take care of any carbon you are worried about.All the other additives? Snake oil! Use your money to pay a few cents more a gallon on quality gasoline.Dave

Let me be clear.Would/did I try it on my '01 Prizm? Sure!Would I do it on my 2010 Vibe? Hell no! Too risky, lol.