I recently replaced my spark plugs and to my surprise I found a damaged spark plug from one of my cylinders. The damage was caused by detonation. I was also experiencing symptoms of preignition, a rattling/ knocking/ pinging noise. Detonation and preignition are not good for an engine and can be caused by a number of things, carbon build up within the combustion chamber being one of them, which was the case for my vehicle. As seen in the video, I took a bore scope and looked down into the combustion chamber. I found tons of carbon which wasn't too much of a surprise given the condition of the spark plug I took out. In many cases, such as mine, carbon can be easily removed from the combustion chamber and tops of the piston by performing a simple air induction cleaning with the engine running. The cleaning agent used will get into the combustion chamber and clean things up. This video gives a good visual of the top of the piston before the cleaning and also of the results of the cleaning afterward. Not only did performing the air induction cleaning take care of the carbon build up but it also got rid of the symptoms of detonation and preignition. (Note: There is a root cause of the carbon build up on just that one cylinder in my vehicle. I believe it is leaking valve seals allowing oil to get into the combustion chamber. I'll have to get into it a little more to find out. Also, this will happen again if this problem is not fixed. At least for now we're good)
Note: Consult your repair manual to confirm that this procedure is right for your vehicle. Choose a good product to use and follow not only the instructions given by the manufacturer of that product but also the instructions given in your repair manual. In extreme cases performing an air induction service will not remove an appreciable amount of carbon. In these cases other means will be needed to get rid of the carbon.
Also, the title of the video is "A Cure for Preignition and Detonation" not "The Cure......." This will only work if carbon is the cause of your preignition and detonation. As noted several times, preignition and detonation can be caused by other factors apart from carbon build up and in those cases this video will not help.
Also note: This video is only a brief introduction to the subject of detonation and preignition and does not go into depth on the subject. Below are links to websites that I found to be very informative on the matter.
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Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbours Auto Help, Barbours Auto Help makes no guaranty that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Barbour'sAutoHelp makes no guaranty that the information provided is totally complete, syncronized and accurate. Verify everything using an appropriate repair manual. You can do it. Do it right and do it safely.
Repair your vehicle at your own risk! Barbour's auto help does not guaranty a proper repair using these techniques.
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Zombie Rock by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license ()