Carbon build up removal?

[mendez4047]

Well, I pulled my engine and removed the cylinder heads. There seems to be some carbon build up on the top of the pistons. Should I removed the carbon build up or leave it alone? and if so, what is the best method of removing it?
engine has 113,000 miles.

 

[7upstang91]

Remove. As removing I have never done it on pistons.

 

[90mustangGT]

Gasket scraper, brake cleaner, and elbow grease. You could get a wiz wheel or something just make sure you put the piston at top dead center and don't scratch up the cylinder walls. Don't worry about the piston, short of a cutoff wheel you won't hurt those.

 

[Maryland Stang]

Wire brush as much off as you can. Then get either paint remover or spray gasket remover (paint remover in a spray can) and put it on the carbon. It will melt that carbon right off in minutes. It also works great for cleaning garbage out of carburetors.

 

[1dark92gt]

mercury carbon disolver found in your local west marine works great. just spray on there and let dissolve then wipe up with rag