Want to know how to prevent carbon buildup/dirty internals and malfunctioning plugs

[Doug96CamaroRS]

So, as some of you know, I'm doing the full gasket job and much more to the Camaro this week and next week, and I would just like to get feedback/opinions from some of you on how to keep internals cleaner and an explanation for some of the carbon buildup inside of my engine. I have been told that I must start running premium for the carbon...and I use fuel injector cleaner and replace my fuel filter every 12,000 miles, so the fuel must be it.

Also, after pulling the spark plugs we noticed that quite a bit of detonation has been occurring since I replaced the original plugs (at 101k). They have about 26k on them and did not look to be in nearly as good as the shape of the originals. So my friend says that I need to run cooler plugs. Is this true? Why would plugs that run too hot be offered as a stock option for the car? I'm just not really sure why the plugs were so bad... So now I am looking into buying some NGKs that run cooler. Suggestions?

[Boost Addict]

That's a conflicting statement. A cooler plug is going to allow for plugs to get fouled easier than a hotter plug.

[Gregs_gsxr]

did you run a cheap plug?

reason I say cause I know in my Envoy I have to run the stock plug which is iridium plugs, yes I could have bought cheaper plugs but I read about people having them foul out way quicker and getting worse gas mileage. I also read guys where having issues with E3's or any "fancy" plug.

[98blackbeauty]

I don't think gas or fuel filter was your issue at all. Spark plugs maybe some, changing oil every 3-4,000 miles is huge, also pvc valve and emissions are a biggy. How was you throttle body? lot of oil being sucked up through that? Your probably some what of a victim of previous owner not doing good maintenance.

[97rs4life]

1. Eliminate EGR to keep intake/tb clean
2. Replace PCV valve
3. Use a can of seafoam from time to time
4. NA plugs you can go acdelcos or if you want ngks then NGK TR55 I believe is tha NA one

[SSTODD]

A trick alot of us are using is to buy some TCW3 2-cycle oil and add 1oz. per 4-5 gal. of gas at every fill-up. it cleans internals and lubes fuel pumps and lines now that ethanol is making todays gasoline pretty crappy and damaging. It must be the marine grade TCW3 "ashless" but it does work, similar to the marvel mystery oil tricks. I've used it on my daughters 3.8 Grand Prix for years now. This is very tame compared to the harshness of seafoam treatments into the intake.

[Gregs_gsxr]

A trick alot of us are using is to buy some TCW3 2-cycle oil and add 1oz. per 4-5 gal. of gas at every fill-up. it cleans internals and lubes fuel pumps and lines now that ethanol is making todays gasoline pretty crappy and damaging. It must be the marine grade TCW3 "ashless" but it does work, similar to the marvel mystery oil tricks. I've used it on my daughters 3.8 Grand Prix for years now. This is very tame compared to the harshness of seafoam treatments into the intake.

do tell more about the marvel oil tricks, I know its a good exspensive oil too

[Boost Addict]

do tell more about the marvel oil tricks, I know its a good exspensive oil too

Marvel Mystery oil is cheap as hell

[Gregs_gsxr]

Marvel Mystery oil is cheap as hell

it never use to be, 18 bucks for a 16 oz size, this is in the black and red can right

[Doug96CamaroRS]

What would be the best plugs to run?

[Gregs_gsxr]

ac delco, what ever is stock temp range

[97rs4life]

well what are your plans with the car? Staying NA? FI or nitrous in the future?

[SSTODD]

do tell more about the marvel oil tricks, I know its a good exspensive oil too

It is all the same principal, add very small amounts to your gas and as it goese thru the system it cleans lubes and then burns away. The quart of any cheap TCW3 2-cycle is about $2-3 bucks and at a couple oz's a fill-up it is dirt cheap even compared to fuel additives. I use the TCW3 and not "marvels"

[sman]

A quart of trans fluid in the oil works wonders, cleans the shit out of everything inside, fixes noisy lifters and all sorts of valve train noises. Change oil with 1qt of trans in place of 1qt of oil, idle for 10 to 30 min. Change with your normal routine. Weve added a half to full qt with a full tank of gas to do the same as described above. Cleans and lubes injectors and pump.

[shawnc16]

A quart of trans fluid in the oil works wonders, cleans the shit out of everything inside, fixes noisy lifters and all sorts of valve train noises. Change oil with 1qt of trans in place of 1qt of oil, idle for 10 to 30 min. Change with your normal routine. Weve added a half to full qt with a full tank of gas to do the same as described above. Cleans and lubes injectors and pump.

Works with diesels too!