How many tanks of FP to clean out small engine?

[SteveD2]

Well, whenever it's available I'm going to be ordering one of the small bottles of FP. I have an old 3.5hp lawnmower engine that is nicely carboned up. I took the head off today and took a pic, then I'm going to run a few tanks of FP and take the head back off. How many gallons of gas/FP should I run?

Here's the before pic...I'll post the after when I'm done with my test.

 

[darkdan]

If you're bored do it every tank!

 

[LCD]

I'd run 2 or 3 tanks myself starting with 3 oz per 5 gallons, but that's just me.

Maybe Terry and/or Molakule will chime in with their advice.

Jeff

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by lcd:
I'd run 2 or 3 tanks myself starting with 3 oz per 5 gallons, but that's just me.

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Question. Why so much, I thought the treat rate is 1oz per 5 gallons?

 

[LCD]

Shock treatment for neglected engine.

Per Molakule's report:

Fuel Power. The ratio of Fuel Power to fuel for maintenance dose is a ratio by weight of
1:640. The treatment rate of 1 oz./per five gallons is sufficient for both gasoline and diesel
engines, 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines. An initial “shock” dosage of 3 oz. per gal may be
needed for neglected fuel systems.

[ September 29, 2004, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: lcd ]

 

[SteveD2]

Has anybody else ever done any before/after pics with fuel power? Also, does FP come with any kind of guarantee?

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by lcd:
An initial “shock” dosage of 3 oz. per tank may be needed for neglected fuel systems.

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Did you mean 3oz per 5 gallon? Thanks.

 

[LCD]

Yes, just noticed that, I think it is a mis type in our report.

 

[mechtech]

I would be happy with that much carbon on a lawnmower engine.
I would call it barely carboned up, esp. the piston!

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

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Originally posted by mechtech:
I would be happy with that much carbon on a lawnmower engine.
I would call it barely carboned up, esp. the piston!

---

Actually, I got this engine about 2 years ago for free. I was going to make something out of it, so I took it apart and cleaned the insides - the stuff in the picture looked brand new. Turns out the crankshaft is slightly bent, so it's useless. Another crank cost more than a whole motor.

So...I've been running it just to get it dirty. I put some 2 cycle oil in the gas, used 1 year old gas, and let it run a little rich. If the FP gets it back to looking clean I will be *EXTREMELY* impressed.

 

[427Z06]

After the FP test, get it dirty again, then test some top tier gasoline and see how it cleans.

 

[Santo Fontana]

This will be interesting.

 

[Terry]

Just treat normally at 1 oz to 5 gallons with FP and lets see how it does.

Note that the initial shock treatment of 2 to 3 ounces per 5 gallons will just speed the process.

So depends on how fast you want to see cleaning.

TD

 

[novadude]

I can't wait to see the after photos!

 

[Brett Miller]

That amount of carbon is nothing. You would have that much after a couples hours running on a new engine.

 

[Tones]

quote:

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Originally posted by ZmOz:
...Turns out the crankshaft is slightly bent, so it's useless. Another crank cost more than a whole motor...

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You will probably think I am crazy here, but these shafts are not too difficult to bend back with judicious use of a sledge hammer. You would be surprised how straight you can get it, and you don't need to use a lot of force. I used to work as a small engine mechanic where our commercial accounts always had some come in bent. More times than not, we could whack it back to a usable condition.

Also, for what its worth, that does not seem to be much carbon on that engine. I would wire brush it and put it back together before I would bother with trying to run ARX through it.

 

[SteveD2]

The engine is not worth the trouble to straighten the crank. A whole 'nuther one in this condition can be had for $20. I'm not cleaning it out just to make it clean, I'm testing the FP. Autorx, fuel power, and lube control are a complete waste in any small engine...they're just too easy to take apart and clean.

 

[Gary Allan]

Yes, I agree. This does give you a great "test platform" to play around with.

I love to experience this kinda stuff, albeit vicariously

This could be up there with the highly covetted A-Rx test (the one with compression results and lots of pictures).

Rock on!

 

[Rick20]

Suggest that you run a splash of ARX in the crankcase of this small motor. I've had marvelous results in small briggs lawn mower motors. Just add 2 ounces to the crancase and run. Will reduce start up smoking, potentially restore some compression for ease of cold starts.

 

[MolaKule]

quote:

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I have an old 3.5hp lawnmower engine that is nicely carboned up.

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Surely you jest. The only carbon is around the valves, which is normal. It appears the piston and CC head have been cleaned already. Your engine appears to be using a slight bit of oil and /or running rich.

Suggest you bottom the piston and pour 2 oz. of LC on it and let the LC dribble past the rings. Pour LC on the valves and valve stems as well and soak. Brush off carbon after soaking.

Replace spark plug. Replace head gasket and bolt head and fire her up!

This engine is very clean compared to many I have seen.

Use FP in the fuel and I doubt you will see any future carbon deposits.