What is de-carbonization? In a previous column, you referred to
"de-carbonizing" an engine. What is "de-carbonization?" RAY: De-
carbonization is what happens when you leave the cap off the
ginger-ale bottle over night, Eleanor. TOM: Actually Eleanor,
it's a very good question. If your engine ran perfectly--we mean
politically, socially, and environmentally--then it would
produce nothing but carbon dioxide and water. RAY: But cars
don't run perfectly. And one of the by-products of the
incomplete combustion is carbon--otherwise known as soot. And in
the engine, this soot can build up, and eventually keep the
valves from closing all the way. It's kind of like having your
foot stuck in your mouth when you're trying to close it all the
way. My brother knows all about that. TOM: So DE-carbonization
is simply the process of getting rid of that carbon. Back in the
old days, mechanics would actually take engines apart to clean
out the carbon. But unless it's an extreme case, there are
easier ways to do it now. RAY: Fi