seafoam for pinging engine?

[dontlikeoc]

I recently picked up an XS1100 Special. When I push-started it, I could hear pinging. Besides, the PO said that he used high octane gas all the time. That kind of set me to expect carbon deposit...

Did anybody try Seafoam on a XS1100 - especially for pinging problem? How effective was it?

[WMarshy]

Do a search you will find a LOT about seafoam!

[tarzan]

Welcome dontlikeoc,

Do you mean you got it started and it was pinging?
Was the pinging between 3000 and 4000 rpm maybe?
Or are you talking at idle?

[dontlikeoc]

Thank you for your replies.

I could hear the pinging at idle and at higher RPM.

I did search before posting. The threads I found about Seafoam didnt exactly talk about its effectiveness on pinging...

[tarzan]

Well,if you have carbon build-up in the cylinders,the fastest way I know to get it cleaned out would be to run the engine up to about 3000 orr 4000 rpm and spray water in the carbs while running and it cleans them out well.You have to keep the rpms up to keep it from dying.
Automatic transmission fluid works too,but will smoke the block up.I don't know how you could get the trans fluid to spray though.I have just puored a little down the carb on cars before.
Another thing to do,would be to go for a long ride and ride the snot out of it.

[Ivan]

I usually use a vacuum port and a long hose to pull the ATF in the engine. A small clamp can be used to control the flow rate. On the XS you'd have to do it on each cylinder.

[dontlikeoc]

Thanks for sharing methods of cleaning out the carbon deposit. I will have to first get the bike to start. Currently playing with the electric. (Hope it is just a starter solenoid.)

[petejw]

Are sure its pinging, ive never seen an engine ping b4 at idle.

a couple of other things to check, that causes
pinging, if the carbies are set 2 lean, if the timing is 2 advanced,
on the 81 its not adjustable, but check the vac advance is working
properly, disconnect the vac hose from the carb port and suck on the
hose, it should hold vaccuum and not leak.

[thebottle]

Well,if you have carbon build-up in the cylinders,the fastest way I know to get it cleaned out would be to run the engine up to about 3000 orr 4000 rpm and spray water in the carbs while running and it cleans them out well.You have to keep the rpms up to keep it from dying.
Automatic transmission fluid works too,but will smoke the block up.I don't know how you could get the trans fluid to spray though.I have just puored a little down the carb on cars before.
Another thing to do,would be to go for a long ride and ride the snot out of it.

Had that on my 74 Torino and opening it up a bunch of times... or beating the snot of it cleared it up for me. Fun way to fix it if it works.

[xschop]

Ditto on tarzan's suggestion. Also run a full gas tank (5gal) with 3 0z. Acetone (this is 2x norm conc.) for a snot-ride your pings will clear up after this and Tarzan's idea.

[Rasputin]

I have to agree with Petejw. Make sure it is pinging before you run the snot out of it. Could be anything from a broken weld to valves slapping the heads to god knows what. Try to identify the noise for sure before doing something reckless to correct a problem you may not have. To Ping at an idle it would seem you would need enough carbon buildup to literally plug the engine.