[INFO needed] De-carbonizers

[WFK]

This is a request for information about the use of de-carbonizers (gas tank added liquid.)

The first time I ran into this was when I bought a used boat and the previous owner said I should add so and so much of that stuff from the little bottle (which he supplied) every few tanks or so; it would keep the engine clean.
That boat has a 70HP 3-cylinder 2-cycle engine (with automatic oil mix.)
Now I have repaired the generator and and the question arises whether it might be a good idea to use it there also since carbon build-up seems to be unavoidable.

My question is triggered by some statements that don't quite mesh.
First, it is not sold as de-carbonizer, and I don't have fuel injectors in boat or generator.
What I bought seems to be the middle line of agressivenes and is called

GUMOUT (concentrated) Fuel Injector Cleaner.
Claim: "removes carbon build-up."

Salesman (Autozone) advised against higher strength version of the same stuff "because it burns too hot and therefore wouldn't be good for aluminum engines."

Other brands are also available (STP)

So my question is: who has any experience with this stuff and how does it work?
Is that hotter-burn true?
Some of these bottles claim their contents will PREVENT carbon build-up; this one says it will REMOVE carbon build-up.
Another one stated "contains jet fuel" (????)

 

[Hamilton Felix]

"Jet fuel" is kerosene. I don't know a lot about 'em, but Gumout has a fairly good rep, as such products go.

I seem to recall that revving it up a bit, and slowly pouring a glass of water through the carburetor (slowly -- don't kill that engine!) will remove carbon deposits. I recall changing a leaky head gasket in the field once; the combustion chamber that had been receiving the leaking coolant was VERY clean.

I'd suggest some creative web searching.

 

[vlad]

to remove carbon deposits from engine put several cans of HEET (methyl alcohol) or 90% isopropyl rubbing alcochol in your gas tank.


excerpt

Be that as it may, alcohol has characteristics that make it a natural engine fuel: [1] It has a high “octane" rating, which prevents engine detonation (knock) under load, [2] it burns clean ... so clean, in fact, that not only are noxious emissions drastically reduced, but the internal parts of the engine are purged of carbon and gum deposits ... which, of course, do not build up as long as alcohol is used as fuel, [3] an alcohol burning engine tends to run cooler than its gasoline-powered counterpart, thus extending engine life and reducing the chance of overheating.



entire text
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/me1.html