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These methods have been to a large extent superseded by the use of oxygen under pressure.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.
(3) Raise the piston of the cylinder first to be cleaned to the top of the compression stroke and continue this from cylinder to cylinder as the work progresses.
(4) In motors where carbon has been burned hard, the cylinder interior should then be swabbed with kerosene before proceeding. Work the swab, saturated with kerosene, around the inside of the cylinder until all the carbon has been moistened with the oil. This same swab may be used to ignite the gas in the cylinder in place of using a match or taper.
(5) Make all connections to the oxygen cylinder.
(6) Insert the torch nozzle in the cylinder, open the torch valve gradually and regulate to about two lbs. pressure. Manipulate the nozzle inside the cylinder and light a match or other flame at the opening so that the carbon starts to burn. Cover the various points within the cylinder and when there is no further burning the carbon has been removed. The regulating and oxygen tank valves are operated in exactly the same way as for welding as previously explained.
It should be carefully noted that when the piston is up, ready to start the operation, both valves must be closed. There will be a considerable display of sparks while this operation is taking place, but they will not set fire to the grease and oil. Care should be used to see that no gasoline is about.
Acetylenefilteringgeneratorsin tankspipingproperties ofpurification ofAcetylene-air torchesAiroxygen fromAlloystable ofAlloy steelAluminumalloysweldingAnnealingAnvilArc welding, electricmachinesAsbestos, use of, in weldingBabbittBending pipes and tubesBessemer steelBevelingBrassweldingBrazingelectricheat and toolsspelterBronzeweldingButt weldingCalcium carbideCarbidestorage of, Fire Underwriters' Rulesto water generatorCarbon removalby oxygen processCase hardening steelCast ironweldingChampferingCharging generatorChlorate of potash oxygenConductivity of metalsCopperalloysweldingCrucible steelCutting, oxy-acetylenetorchesDissolved acetyleneElectric arc weldingElectric weldingtroubles and remediesExpansion of metalsFlame, weldingFluxesfor brazingfor solderingForgefirepracticetoolstuvere construction ofweldingwelding preparationwelds, forms ofForgingGas holdersGases, heating power ofGenerator, acetylenecarbide to waterconstructionGeneratorlocation ofoperation and care ofoverheatingrequirementswater to carbideGerman silverGlovesGogglesHand forgingHardening steelHeat treatment of steelHildebrandt processHoseInjectors, adjusterIroncastgrades ofmalleable castwroughtJump weldLap weldingLeadLinde processLiquid air oxygenMagnaliumMalleable ironweldingMelting points of metalsMetal alloys, table ofMetalscharacteristics ofconductivity ofexpansion ofheat treatment ofmelting points oftensile strength ofweight ofNickelNozzle sizes, torchOpen hearth steelOxy-acetylene cuttingwelding practiceOxygencylindersweight ofPipes, bendingPlatinumPreheatingRemoval of carbon by oxygen processResistance method of electric weldingRestoration of steelRods, weldingSafety devicesScarfingSolderSolderingfluxholesseamssteel and ironwiresSpelterSpot weldingSteelalloysBessemercrucibleheat treatment ofopen hearthrestoration oftensile strength ofweldingStrength of metalsTank valvesTaperingTables of welding informationTempering steelThermit metalpreheatingpreparationweldingTinTorchacetylene-aircareconstructioncuttinghigh pressurelow pressuremedium pressurenozzlespracticeValves, regulatingtankWaterto carbide generatorWelding aluminumbrassbronzebuttcast ironcopperelectricelectric arcflameforgeinformation and tablesinstrumentslapmalleable ironmaterialspractice, oxy-acetylenerodsspotsteeltablethermittorchesvarious metalswrought ironWrought ironweldingZinc