Engine Help, Black buildup

[Chino886]

Alright, some more dumb questions for you guys out there. I broke down the engine on my 02 400EX today and I noticed there was a lot of black stuff by the valves and on the piston, does this mean I am too rich. What should I do? I am getting ready install JE piston 10.5 and Stage 2 Hotcam, along with port/polish.

Also, do the brand of gaskets make any difference?

Any help is appreciated, this is the first time I have torn it down, didn't even break anything.

Thanks.

[RiderTRX400ex]

black stuff is carbon buildup, normal on a fourstroke. maybe your just thinking to much of it

[Chino886]

what can I use to get that crap off?

[RiderTRX400ex]

well as far as brand of gaskets, its always wise to go with a good set, either stock or cometic gaskets are good.. dont want to be tearing through the engine replacing headgaskets or anything all the time

[RiderTRX400ex]

well, never done it, maybe some carb clean, you can scrape most of it off probably... im sure someone else will help u out on this

[greg_gorrell]

there is this stuff called carbon-off that they make for like pans that i have used on my pit bike to clean out the carbon. just be very careful not to screw up anything in there and clean it out really good before you put it back together.

[Chino886]

What do yo mean "screw anything up clean it real good"? Where can I get carbon off? What can I clean all the oil off the head with?

[greg_gorrell]

im not sure...i took it from work...im sure walmart or whatever will have it