Carbon build up, direct injection ICE

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Batman

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#288500 4-Jul-2021 16:29

I've been reading this phenomenon and it says you should walnut blast your direct injected petrol engine intake valves ...

Anyone had any issues on carbon build up on their direct injected ICE to share?

Ps there is nothing wrong with my car. Just wanting to hear from people

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#2738854 4-Jul-2021 20:45

It's been an issue for years. Mitsi GDI were bad for it back in the late 90's early 2000's. Audi had issues with it, probably plenty of others too.

Technofreak

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#2738979 4-Jul-2021 22:38

Keeping to the manufacturers service schedule is a good starting point.

Give the car a good run regularly also helps apparently.

I have to ask, what makes you think your car needs the carbon build up removed?
I'd also suggest the walnut shell blasting isn't something the average owner can do at home.

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Batman

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#2738992 5-Jul-2021 07:24

Technofreak:
I have to ask, what makes you think your car needs the carbon build up removed?

coz it's all over the internet. but wanting to hear if anyone's had real life issues with it

GV27

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#2738994 5-Jul-2021 07:42

More of an issue on some than others. From what I could tell, it's due to a very specific method of fuel injection. Certain Minis, Audis, VWs are bad for it.

Had a Corolla that went 340,000km that never needed anything of the sort so it's definitely vehicle-by-vehicle.

Also definitely not a job for your average man at home, someone like Eurosurgeon will charge you a decent amount but can also usually give you a dyno-sheet showing what it has done for your engine before and after. Perhaps best considered if you've got any head-off/engine out work being done at some point.

The Americans use something called seafoam but I don't think that is anywhere near as effective as it doesn't get to the actual coking on the valves.

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#2738995 5-Jul-2021 07:45

GV27:

More of an issue on some than others. From what I could tell, it's due to a very specific method of fuel injection. Certain Minis, Audis, VWs are bad for it.

Had a Corolla that went 340,000km that never needed anything of the sort so it's definitely vehicle-by-vehicle.

it's to do with direct injection. your corolla is port injected.

GV27

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#2738996 5-Jul-2021 08:01

Batman:

it's to do with direct injection. your corolla is port injected.

That'd be a 'very specific method of fuel injection'.

I take it you're driving something European?

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#2738997 5-Jul-2021 08:03

I had a read before. Sounds like a lot of work and again it would be hard to know how bad it was unless you had either the inlet manifold off or had the head off. The website advertising it in Auckland make it sound like they do it with the head still on, then vacuum out the walnut media.

Again, you'd probably have to dyno it before and after to see if there was much difference, but if the head was coming off those areas would be cleaned up anyway.

wratterus

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#2739007 5-Jul-2021 09:05

My understanding is don't let them idle for long, especially from cold, and don't drive like a grandma, and you'll most likely be fine.

Edit - it seems to be more of a problem with petrol rather than diesel? Or is it both?

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#2739008 5-Jul-2021 09:10

GV27:
Batman:

it's to do with direct injection. your corolla is port injected.

That'd be a 'very specific method of fuel injection'.

I take it you're driving something European?

All direct injection are susceptible in theory. But some models seem to be more susceptible. Just wondering if it's such a wide spread issue someone here would have had it.

So maybe it's not such a big issue. Most cars nowadays are direct injection ICEs.

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#2739009 5-Jul-2021 09:11

wratterus:
My understanding is don't let them idle for long, especially from cold, and don't drive like a grandma, and you'll most likely be fine.

If that's the case my wife has fixed any problems my car may have, perfect!

wratterus

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#2739010 5-Jul-2021 09:12

Batman:
If that's the case my wife has fixed all the problems.

Haha, just don't combine both those bits of advice at the same time.

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#2739012 5-Jul-2021 09:14

GV27:
Batman:

it's to do with direct injection. your corolla is port injected.

That'd be a 'very specific method of fuel injection'.

I take it you're driving something European?

Jap, 2012.heck even my Mitsubishi 1997 was direct injected

To be clear, my cars are fine.

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#2739023 5-Jul-2021 09:42

wratterus:

Edit - it seems to be more of a problem with petrol rather than diesel? Or is it both?

Both. I know the Mazda 2.2 Skyactiv diesel can have this problem.

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#2739028 5-Jul-2021 10:15

GV27:

Batman:

it's to do with direct injection. your corolla is port injected.

That'd be a 'very specific method of fuel injection'.

I take it you're driving something European?

Yes specific, but not uncommon and definitely not just European. In order to meet emission standards most petrol cars today use direct injection.

GM have been producing direct injection petrol engines since 2003. All the Holden V6 engines since 2006 are direct injection engines. I'm not aware of any carbon build up issues with those engines.

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Technofreak

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#2739029 5-Jul-2021 10:17

wratterus:

My understanding is don't let them idle for long, especially from cold, and don't drive like a grandma, and you'll most likely be fine.

Edit - it seems to be more of a problem with petrol rather than diesel? Or is it both?

Yes, more of a problem with petrol though it can happen with a diesel.

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