[How-to] Replace pistons in vehicles

Pistons need to be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis, if you want them to have a long lifespan. Over time, carbon deposits start building up on the pistons, which can eventually do a lot of damage to the engine if not taken care off in time. There are a lot of fuel additives that can clean carbon deposits off the pistons. But, you need to do it carefully and try not to damage the piston rings or the pistons themselves. You should be especially careful when removing a piston from a cylinder before you start cleaning it.

There are various piston cleaning solvents out there, with petroleum-based solvents giving the best results. You can put a cleaning agent, such as Marvel Mystery Oil, in the fuel tank, which will dissolve carbon deposits and work to prevent further carbon build-up.

If there are large amounts of carbon deposits on a piston, you should a get a high-quality cleaning agent, such as BG 44k, Sea Foam or GM Top Cleaner, put it in a bucket, adding some water, and let the piston soak in it for at least 5 hours. Then, you can use a wire brush for a more thorough treatment. Remember to cover the bores on both sides of the piston so that they don't get damaged. You should also check for dirt and nicks on the piston ring grooves, which can be cleaned using a broken ring along with diesel oil or kerosene.

If you notice that the pistons are worn beyond repair, and no cleaning solvent will make them work properly, than you should replace them. There is a wide range of high-quality pistons out there, but it's not easy to choose the ones that are most suitable for your engine. So, it's wise to do a little research and find out which companies make the best pistons.

SRP Pistons, made by JE, are some of the most affordable pistons you can find, but can provide some very good performances and can be used in low or high compression ratios. For those of you who want higher-class pistons, Wiesco could be a good choice. They are high-performance forged pistons, especially recommended for custom car builders, and work very well in cars with over 500 horsepower. As far as price is concerned, you shouldn't expect to find a good piston for less than $200.

Every car owner should take good care of their pistons and piston rings and try to prevent major piston damages, as replacing them can be very complicated and cost a lot of money.