Carbon buildup, intake cleaning, dirty valves, Direct Injection, Seafoam.....

[Jwmsa17]

My local Buick dealership offers a chemical valve cleaning service for $185, but I don't remember the recommended interval. I also don't recall the name of the chemical, but I've seen video of how to apply the chemical on YouTube and it's something a diligent DIYer couldndo.

 

[CoyoteEcotec]

This problem is not issue with GM engines, most problems are reported by Audi, BMW and VW DI engines.
PS And some Ford problems with ecoboost engines.

It depends on your driving style. My rough idle was significantly reduced after using intake valve and turbo cleaner. Take a look at the guys that run their cars hard and have a catch can, they’re catching oil and enough that it would cause carbon issues down the road.

 

[CoyoteEcotec]

Sorry if I am not up to speed on thread, I seem to have limited attention span..so will make this short..
Was Audi DI problem using only top tier gas? Were they using 85 octane farm gas in Utah?
How much oil is your car goin through, or if that seafoam in picture?

The quality of gasoline has no effect on intake valve carbon deposits on a direct injection engine. The carbon is caused mostly by the PCV system. Oil gets on the valve and since gas never touches the valve it’s never washed away. Heat + time = carbon.

 

[saab93driver]

My local Buick dealership offers a chemical valve cleaning service for $185, but I don't remember the recommended interval. I also don't recall the name of the chemical, but I've seen video of how to apply the chemical on YouTube and it's something a diligent DIYer couldndo.

To be effective they need to be doing something like this which is to address the intake valve deposits. GDI Fuel/Air Induction | BG Products, Inc.

 

[Jwmsa17]

BG is one of the videos I saw and CRC was the other for GDI cleaners.

 

[Crispy]

Thanks all for the great responses to my original post. I especially liked hearing the Ecotech seems somewhat better than other DI engines at managing the carbon buildup problem. I still think it could be good to do a lighter cleaning more often by injecting something into the intake stream. I keep looking at the plastic pipe between the intercooler and the intake manifold (on our TourX). Why not install some sort of high quality port (maybe a Schrader valve) in that line and squirt in cleaner with the engine running? Would routine cleaning with off-the-shelf cleaners even help?
If I could get some buy-in from people who know more about this engine than I do that the concept is good, I will move forward on a good port design that will be relatively inexpensive, robust and easy to install (making that up but I have some ideas). Thanks again, C.

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

I have over 80,000 miles on my Regal and it still runs as good as the day I bought it. If there is any carbon buildup it surely isn't hurting performance, so I see no need for this overpriced service. I would rather use that money to have the trans fluid and coolant flushed, which is a lot more important than doing something to my car that I don't feel is needed.

 

[Banjo]

Amsoil PI and Redline Fuel Additive work quite well add some every 4000 Miles.

 

[Banjo]

I have over 80,000 miles on my Regal and it still runs as good as the day I bought it. If there is any carbon buildup it surely isn't hurting performance, so I see no need for this overpriced service. I would rather use that money to have the trans fluid and coolant flushed, which is a lot more important than doing something to my car that I don't feel is needed.

Well Said.

 

[Gracie615]

Amsoil PI and Redline Fuel Additive work quite well add some every 4000 Miles.

Another one I like and use every oil change is Berrymans B-12 fuel system cleaner.

 

[L J]

What no STP?

 

[PrincipalDan]

What no STP?

You made me think of Marvel Mystery Oil... It did help that old Oldsmobile 307 V8 that started to burn a quart every 3000 miles when it hit about 120,000. But I'm sure it would eff up our modern sophisticated engines.

 

[Jwmsa17]

I just used this last weekend. Simple and $13 a can. My dealer offers this service for $187.50.

 

[Crispy]

I just used this last weekend. Simple and $13 a can. My dealer offers this service for $187.50.

Was this on a TourX? Can you share where you cracked-in to the induction system to squirt the CRC. It's a long way from the air cleaner area, then downstream of the turbo and inner-cooler before you get to the intake. Seems like it would be best to get in right at the intake. I'm not finding much info on this subject. As much as I would like to believe the TourX/Ecotec is immune from carbon fouling, I like the idea of cleaning. Thanks, C.

 

[Jwmsa17]

It was on my TourX. I couldn't find the opening upstream of the intake manifold. On the FAQ section of the CRC website, they said you can spray it in the intake tube after the MAF. So, that's what I did. Then I waited an hour and drove it 25 miles on the interstate in 4-6th at 75mph to keep the revs in the 3-4k RPM range. Seemed to work fine, but I got very little smoke from the tailpipe. For $28 it was worth a try. On my 2016 WRX, there was smoke afterwards. I'm wondering if what I keep hearing about the Ecotec engines not suffering from carbon buildup is more than just wishful thinking by GM fanboys.

 

[Crispy]

It was on my TourX. I couldn't find the opening upstream of the intake manifold. On the FAQ section of the CRC website, they said you can spray it in the intake tube after the MAF. So, that's what I did. Then I waited an hour and drove it 25 miles on the interstate in 4-6th at 75mph to keep the revs in the 3-4k RPM range. Seemed to work fine, but I got very little smoke from the tailpipe. For $28 it was worth a try. On my 2016 WRX, there was smoke afterwards. I'm wondering if what I keep hearing about the Ecotec engines not suffering from carbon buildup is more than just wishful thinking by GM fanboys.

So you were just out of the air cleaner, after the MAF and before the turbo? Is that correct? When I started thinking about everything post turbo being pressurized, I was at a loss as to how to get it in close to the intake.

 

[Jwmsa17]

That's is correct.