[CHAPTER IX]
OXYGEN PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF CARBON
Until recently the methods used for removing carbon deposits from gas engine cylinders were very impractical and unsatisfactory. The job meant dismantling the motor, tearing out all parts, and scraping the pistons and cylinder walls by hand.
The work was never done thoroughly. It required hours of time to do it, and then there was always the danger of injuring the inside of the cylinders.
These methods have been to a large extent superseded by the use of oxygen under pressure. The various devices that are being manufactured are known as carbon removers, decarbonizers, etc., and large numbers of them are in use in the automobile and gasoline traction motor industry.
Outfit.--The oxygen carbon cleaner consists of a high pressure oxygen cylinder with automatic reducing valve, usually constructed on the diaphragm principle, thus assuring positive regulation of pressure. This valve is fitted with a pressure gauge, rubber hose, decarbonizing torch with shut off and flexible tube for insertion into the chamber from which the carbon is to be removed.
There should also be an asbestos swab for swabbing out the inside of the cylinder or other chamber with kerosene previous to starting the operation. The action consists in simply burning the carbon to a fine dust in the presence of the stream of oxygen, this dust being then blown out.
Operation.--The following are instructions for operating the cleaner:--
(1) Close valve in gasoline supply line and start the motor, letting it run until the gasoline is exhausted.
(2) If the cylinders be T or L head, remove either the inlet or the exhaust valve cap, or a spark plug if the cap is tight. If the cylinders have overhead valves, remove a spark plug. If any spark plug is then remaining in the cylinder it should be removed and an old one or an iron pipe plug substituted.