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Steam cleaning your 4.0

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Old 10-27-2016, 03:31 PM
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I did 20 oz. the other day. Did quiet it down some in the valve line. Seems to idle better
Old 10-27-2016, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by XJwonders
He uses 32 oz Mountain Dew cup. Lol
I coulda sworn it was a 64.... oh well.
Old 12-07-2016, 05:53 AM
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Why is it better to get the carbon buildup out?
What good thing results?
What happens if you just leave the carbon in there?

PHM
--------



Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
I've done a seafoam treatment but pulled the vac line off the booster. boy did that sucker smoke for a bit after the shut-down and restart. #mesquitorepellent.

I'd also like to add that the 4.0L is prone to carbon build up. If you've never done a top-end cleaning, than it's highly recommended especially higher mileage engines. To prolong carbon buildup in the future, take your XJ for a high RPM run down the highway time to time.

EDIT* notice I said high RPM run... I feel the need to correct that and mention that this does not mean high speed! Simply wind out first or second gears. You can keep the RPM's high by keeping her out of OD too.
Old 12-07-2016, 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by PoodleHeadMikey
Why is it better to get the carbon buildup out?
What good thing results?
What happens if you just leave the carbon in there?

PHM
--------
Carbon buildup, especially around the valve seats, can cause valves to stick, and can also cause stem seals to wear prematurely if carbon builds up on the stems themselves.
Old 09-16-2017, 11:44 AM
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Great post. Forgot about this we used to do this in the late 70's to our muscle cars to clean the carbon out of the combustion chambers. Then we added water injection on cars helped with detonation due to higher compression and also helped with mileage.

Thanks again
Old 03-01-2020, 05:27 PM
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Pretty sure I saw this in a MOPAR manual or film, maybe both.
Old 03-02-2020, 07:51 AM
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I think steam cleaning my engine might have messed up the Cadillac converter. about 6 months later I had to get a smog inspection and it failed do the Cadillac converter. It could just be a coincidence but prior to that it had no problems passing smog.
Old 03-02-2020, 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by jon-d
I think steam cleaning my engine might have messed up the Cadillac converter. about 6 months later I had to get a smog inspection and it failed do the Cadillac converter. It could just be a coincidence but prior to that it had no problems passing smog.
That is what you get for using GM parts
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Old 03-16-2020, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Cane
would it be more effective to spray the water with your average house hold cleaner product bottle, filled with only water of course, or it'd be the same as dropping it slowly?
seems logical, but would it be enough to start bogging down the engine vs pouring in?

ide think spray in from the throttle boddy would evenly distribute the water a bit more perhaps?


anyone tried both?
Old 01-02-2023, 09:02 AM
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Forgot about this trick and remember seeing a mechanic do it to quiet a noisy valve train back in the 90's.

Did this yesterday on my GF's 99 Laredo 4.0 with 239K on the odometer. I thought the engine was on the way out as it was noisy at idle (like a diesel), had a significant series of misfires at idle and would stumble/lurch trying to get to highway speed. Used a quarter under the throttle to get it to 2800 RPM and slowly ran about 28 ounces of water through. Amazing results! Top end is now quiet, misfires are gone and the engine has strong acceleration from stop to highway speeds. I've always driven imports and have heard this engine is a beast - suffice to say I'm impressed with how it runs with this many miles on the odometer.

I might do it again and I realize the results may not be as significant the second time around, and may do this on my V6 Accord with 60k. Next up replacing her clock spring (air bag light when turning to the left) and oil pressure sending unit (pressure drops at idle when warm).

-Eric
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