It amazes me how many mechanics don’t even know what this is. Called a few shops asking for a quote for the work and many think I’m just talking about injection cleaning. I’ve been recommended to use the chemical cleaners for the DI fuel system. Correct me if I’m wrong but that wouldn’t do much right since the fuel isn’t sprayed over our valves? Got one quote for $700 and another for $950 but I can buy a walnut sprayer for half the cost or less. Thinking of just doing that. Anyways, just wanted to see what everyone else has done. What walnut sprayers have you bought or other methods that have been used?
Thanks!!
I did a lot of research on buildup on the intake valves when I got the car, because it was the first DI engine that I had had, and I was concerned about whether it might be a problem. It appears that the primary makers that have an issue with this are Audi and VW, and that Ford has done some things to eliminate or mitigate the problem of carbon buildup on the intake valves.These included an injection timing calibration which allows the injectors to spray the valves slightly before the valves close.
You are correct that in a DI engine, the gas is not generally sprayed over the intake valves to "wash" them. To the extent that there is or may be some build up on the intake valves in our cars despite Ford's efforts to prevent it, there are some things that you can do to prevent it or slow it down. These include:
- avoiding short trips where possible, making sure that the car is fully warmed up to operating temperature each time you drive it
-driving it hard sometimes, i.e. the "Italian tune up"
-using only top tier premium gas, and
-using only a high quality full synthetic oil
-some people feel that a catch can helps, some don't. I have not felt the need for one.