Decarbonizing GDI Engines....

[Winmac]

Just to follow up on my earlier post about my buddies mini with carbon issues. There were 11.5 hours in the total job. it was done by a independent euro auto repair shop. They had to blast the valves a second time (with better tools to clean the backside of the valves) before the multiple misfire error code would clear.

 

[5030]

Lets see. 11.5 hours at lets say 50 bucks an hour (thats on the cheap side, our shop is 100 an hour) is still $525.00 or a dozen cases of Sea Foam...lol

 

[southerniltractor]

1) How is your mileage and driveability affected (Year/Make/Model pls) ?

2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L with 100,000 Miles. Mileage and performance unchanged since we bought the car new. Mostly highway driving.

2) What are you using/doing to decarbonize the head ?

Nothing

3) How often do you need to do it ?
N/A

4) If not DIY, what are you paying to get this done ?
N/A

 

[94BULLITT]

I'm not sure that we even have that yet, up here north of the 49'th..... it's now on my Watch List.....

I expect good things from CRC..... have you had a chance/reason to use that already 94 ?

Rgds, D.

I have not used it or had the need. I may buy a can especially since it has a $5 rebate and see if it does any good.

 

[5030]

I must say that I bought a can of CRC di-electric grease (in a pressurized can), I'm used to squeeze tubes and the propellant lasted for about 1/2 the can and fizzled out so I hacksawed the can open scooped out the remaining half and put it in a baby food jar. Hopefully their other products are better.

 

[Winmac]

In his case he bought the mini used( unknown maintenance history) and his wife drove it most of the time, so I'd suspect it was a worst case situation.
If A few cans of seafoam over the life of the car could have prevented the issue it would be well worth it.
I personally will not be jumping into a direct injection car anytime in the future.

 

[Panik]

I am curious whether the Sea Foam curved applicator straw will fit a can of Berryman's Chemtool.

If the Sea Foam curved applicator doesn't work for you take a look at some cans of WD40. The local Autozone sells WD40 with metal flex straws. I bought a can specifically so that I could take the spray head and straw and cram it onto the cans of CRC Intake Valve Cleaner I use.

As well I have been using CRC Intake Valve Cleaner every 7K will no ill effect thus far on my GDI truck. Seems to help buts that's purely a "by the seat of my pants" assessment as I have yet to pull the covers and look at things.

 

[The Fred]

I work on these cars daily and from experience I can tell you two things.

A catch can is a waste of time and money because the problem is reversion from the intake valve that causes all of the deposits to form about 3 inches back from the valve head itself.

If the crankcase vapors are causing the deposits then why don't the deposits start at the PCV orifice in the intake manifold? That's right they don't.

I've tried and tested the CRC cleaner and it simply does not work.

I use BG 220 and let the port soak for 20 minutes with the valve closed after removing the intake or better yet walnut shell blasting is the cleanest, quickest and easiest way for professionals to get the job done.

BG ISC(R) Induction System Cleaner™ | BG Products, Inc.

The permanent fix (noted by one of the earliest posters in this thread) is done by computer software that changes valve timing and an added extra fuel injector to keep things cleaned out in the port runners. Some manufacturers are already doing both.

VW and Audi started direct injection in 2006 and have had 10 years to get it sorted out. It sure has been a long battle for these manufacturers to do this.

It's a shame to see an almost new engine all crudded up at 50K miles needing at least 3 hours labor to disassemble and clean correctly. The other problem with these injectors are the close tolerances and the need to use a fuel injector cleaner every 10K or so like Techron or BG 44K. Another great injector cleaner is Liqui-Moly Jectron LM2007.

I think in a few years these issues will be solved for sure, Fred

 

[Panik]

I work on these cars daily and from experience I can tell you two things.

A catch can is a waste of time and money because the problem is reversion from the intake valve that causes all of the deposits to form about 3 inches back from the valve head itself.

Help an uneducated guy out here if you don't mind. Am I right in understanding that basically reversion results in the incomplete expulsion exhaust/burnt gasses? Also, in your experience is their any general benefit at all in attempting to eliminate the recirculated vapors coming through the PCV system? Not arguing your position, but rather trying to learn and get a better understanding of things as I've been running a filter element separator as opposed to a colescent catch can.

I've tried and tested the CRC cleaner and it simply does not work.

I use BG 220 and let the port soak for 20 minutes with the valve closed after removing the intake or better yet walnut shell blasting is the cleanest, quickest and easiest way for professionals to get the job done.

BG ISC(R) Induction System Cleaner | BG Products, Inc.

Given that you don't think CRC works are there any other additional at home treatments, beyond a fuel injector cleaner like Techron, for GDI engines that you would recommend to reduce the need for using BG's services or walnut cleaning?

Thanks!

 

[3930dave]

Just to follow up on my earlier post about my buddies mini with carbon issues. There were 11.5 hours in the total job. it was done by a independent euro auto repair shop. They had to blast the valves a second time (with better tools to clean the backside of the valves) before the multiple misfire error code would clear.

Thanks for the update. Ouch.

Rgds, D.