Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): carbon deposits in crankcase, carbon deposits, diesel fuel

Question
last month you helped me with a question concerning oil in my snowblower and also with what could be the cause of the oil being black, how can you remove carbon deposits in the crankcase?

thanks

Bruce

Answer
Someone once told me "if the oil is dirty, it's doin it's job". The oil should be getting dirty, but if it's excessive, it's probably from not being changed frequently enough. I suggest you get a little diesel fuel and drain the oil and put the diesel in the engine and pull the engine over several times without starting it. Drain it out and either do this again or just drain it well and put oil back in. These deposits are usually sitting in the bottom, and won't come out just by draining the oil.