Expansion Chamber Cleaning

An expansion chamber pulls more fuel and air through an engine to increase horsepower. These chambers were designed by East German Walter Kaaden during the Cold War. Carbon deposits in an expansion chamber can reduce an engine's performance and power output, since this buildup keeps fuel and air from expanding to reach the rest of the engine. Check your owner's manual for location of the expansion chamber on your engine.

  1. Methods

    • When a professional cleans carbon buildup from an expansion chamber, the piece is removed from the engine and placed in what is commonly known as a "hot tank." The tank is filled with heated caustic soda or sodium hydroxide. You can also use oven cleaner and a wire brush.

    Considerations

    • If you choose to use chemicals to clean the expansion chamber, rinse and dry the chamber thoroughly before reinstalling it. This will protect the rest of the engine.

    Heat

    • Heating an expansion chamber with a propane torch can loosen carbon buildup.

      You can use a propane torch or other intense fire source to heat the expansion chamber. A propane grill may work if it is hot enough. The goal is to burn off the carbon deposits. You can use a wire brush to scrape off the remaining deposits.