Beware oven cleaner on power valves

03Viper

03Viper

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Joined
Sep 22, 2008
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Ontario
Looks like we have another victim - me.

I read a number of posts here that suggested using oven cleaner to remove the grime on power valves. To be honest the argument sounded quite reasonable. Oven cleaner is designed to clean the heat induced grime from your oven so it is the perfect cleaner for your power valves - right? Well it cleaned them all right! I have a nice shiny aluminum power valve now. All the special coating on the power valve was completely stripped away after about 15 minutes of soaking it in oven cleaner. :(

DO NOT USE OVEN CLEANER ON POWER VALVES!

I guess the only saving grace for me was that I tried the stuff on just one to prove the concept. Too bad we cannot remove posts that aren't true on the forum. Of course I found a few warnings this morning interspersed among other threads - DOH!
 
I know that 99% of the time what you read on this website is truthful, or comes from a respected member, but you have to remember your reading something on the web. When I check reloading data online for ammunition, I will always cross reference it with some of my manuals. I don't want a face full of steel. You can't always trust what you read online. It's a good thing you only cleaned one that way. Could of been a quite costly error.
 
That's true. I guess my general rule of thumb has been to try something after a few others have piped into the discussion. I guess this time that rule was a bit off - I got burnt by oven cleaner ;)
 
I just priced a new valve at lunch: $143 Canadian - OUCH!

Would anyone happen to have a used valve for a Viper (03) in decent condition that they would sell?
 
i got valves im gonna post pics of the condition ,

not that i dont want to sell you any but whatever the coating is would have to be dipped or sprayed on after composition .... what is it and could it be purchased over the counter and re-applied to your valve economically ?


just the theory of silicone coated pistons ...makes me beleive that it could be done

vince
 
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I know this has been talked about on here a lot but I find it hard to fathom that the coating has not been identified and a means of reapplication not found.I have used wire wheels in the past that stripped the coating off as well so as the old saying goes "live and learn".
 
I have used my powervalves without the coating for over 3 years and 4000 miles. I will take them off your hands if you dont want to use them.
 
Requiring the coating on the valves is a bunch of BS. They MIGHT get gummed up a bit quicker without this so called "special" coating, but I'm not even sure that they do. I use whatever it takes to clean my valves, and I do it regularily (every 500 miles or so). I've used wire wheels, sanding, razors, solvents.....you name it. The coating is the least of my concerns when cleaning these damn things. As long as they are fairly clean, they can work properly.......coating or not.
 
valin said:
Requiring the coating on the valves is a bunch of BS. They MIGHT get gummed up a bit quicker without this so called "special" coating, but I'm not even sure that they do. I use whatever it takes to clean my valves, and I do it regularily (every 500 miles or so). I've used wire wheels, sanding, razors, solvents.....you name it. The coating is the least of my concerns when cleaning these damn things. As long as they are fairly clean, they can work properly.......coating or not.
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Good point.I don't believe any other brand uses a coating on their valves to help keep deposits from building up so why would Yamaha feel it important?Run em and like Valin says clean them a bit more regularly.
 
Interesting point Valin. I wonder what the behavior of my machine will be like if I run one power valve without a coating while the others remain coated? Could this create an imbalance between the uncoated cylinder and the two remaining cylinders, perhaps putting extra stress on the engine. Sure if all the power valves are the same then I would suspect that the cylinders would behave similarly - but what if they are different?

I have already made one mistake cleaning these valves, I certainly do not wish to add to my worries by attempting something that has the potential to be even more costly.
 
Will not make a bit of difference on how the engine will perform,, might build up deposits a little faster is all.. as long as they move freely your good to go..
 
Whammy is right. The engine's performance will only be affected if the valves are not adjusted properly, and opening fully. Coating will have absolutely no effect.
 
After looking at the design of the power valve, the coating which might be on the valve is not worth a lick. the coating does nothing once valve is carboned up. I would be concerned about cleaning the slide with oven cleaner but not the valve. I would like to hear Daman's ideas Al
 
The coating has no performance wise gain no, BUT the coating IS needed for ease of carbon removal,why you think yamaha put it on just for the heck of it? something to do?...you think it's hard to remove with it,without it it's darn near impossible,don't ask how i know this.....

alswagg im unclear what your asking sorry....
 
Daman, how do you effectivly clean the slide? Inside the cyl. groove. I have been using a scotch brite pad and carb cleaner. I am concerned about getting any fluid inside of cyl. bore. I think I am going to buy a spare set of valves to keep clean and just swap out dirty for clean every time they need cleaning. thanks Al
 
alswagg said:
Daman, how do you effectivly clean the slide? Inside the cyl. groove. I have been using a scotch brite pad and carb cleaner. I am concerned about getting any fluid inside of cyl. bore. I think I am going to buy a spare set of valves to keep clean and just swap out dirty for clean every time they need cleaning. thanks Al
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damn and i just PMed Jim the other day with a wright up but i deleted it.

anyway if you use a pencil or wood dowel the same size as a pencil have the piston @ BDC wrap a rag around it soaked in carb cleaner etc,,stick it in press against the groove and pull back toward you that way your not going to push any debris in the cyl,repeat pulling toward you till clean,you can get the whole cavity clean that way,the pencil fits in that groove perfectly and with the piston out of the way it's gravy.
 
once you clean your valves,spray on some liquid graphite from a spray can.It then coats them valves again and you are ready to go.Works for me !! .I have 2 sets of valves,so I can replace with a clean set and take my time cleaning the dirty ones when I have nothing to do.

extreme temperature lubricant
contains no oil
forms a dry lubricant that does not collect dirt or grime
 
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