cleaning inlet valves

[GrayMK5GTI]

Cars driven harder are generally not as badly coated due to the extra heat buildup.

I find my engine idles much smoother after a long hard run, and gets worse after repeated short trips.

I used the BG44k to clean injectors (I know it won't touch the valves)

[edd30]

Better pics of the carbon deposits.

Full article : http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5493383-Intake-Valve-cleaning-at-77K-%28Insight-amp-Pics%29

[ROH ECHT]

This DIY is mine:

FWg_A

I want to make another version that shows how I do this currently. Everything is done in the same manner...only my sprayer mod is much easier to utilize without fighting the throttle revs.
If any of you are experiencing frequent valve build-up...you may have a faulty valve cover that may have cracks in either the EVAP or EGR ducts on the underside of the v-cover. A catch-can would aid if this is the case but the v-cover will still need replacing at some point.
Below are bore pics of my most recent blow-by using equal parts solution of white spirits, pump fuel(petrol), and either NAPHTHA or xylol(xylene).

Before:



After:



This may also be helpful: [ Invalid YouTube link ]

[edd30]

Hi Roh,
thanks for your input. So you have removed the worst of the deposits using this method ? Or are you using your cleaning mixture to keep it clean ? or both ? I'm a little wary about doing it this way on a high miles engine (like mine, 110k miles) as the carbon buildup is likely to be significant.  I'll probably get mine cleaned manually and then use your method to keep it clean(er). How often do you do it ? Has it affected your cat ? Or do you fix that by an Italian tune-up ?

Your boroscope looks like mine, cheap China one ? Did you go through the spark plug hole to get those pictures?

[Matthewsimone]

Pic here. It's the bottom of the pipe where I sprayed it into the manifold: http://s205.photobucket.com/user/lafors/media/newPCV.jpg.html

So just to clarify pull the lower end of black plastic pcv hose off and spray into there with engine running yes? 

[GrayMK5GTI]

Yes.

You need a mate to hold the revs at 2000rpm while you spray it though. Engine will die if you pull off PCV without revving it

Tbh it won't do much for hard baked carbon. Made me feel better for doing it though 

[Tfsi_Mike]

Don't know if it's been mentioned already but;

Obviously we don't 'thrash' our cars from cold but rather than let it idle to warm up its better to drive away straight away but gently & just stay off boost until upto temp.

[ROH ECHT]

↑ yes...and do that! 

Hi Roh,
thanks for your input. So you have removed the worst of the deposits using this method ? Or are you using your cleaning mixture to keep it clean ? or both ? I'm a little wary about doing it this way on a high miles engine (like mine, 110k miles) as the carbon buildup is likely to be significant.  I'll probably get mine cleaned manually and then use your method to keep it clean(er). How often do you do it ? Has it affected your cat ? Or do you fix that by an Italian tune-up ?

Your boroscope looks like mine, cheap China one ? Did you go through the spark plug hole to get those pictures?

I have never done a manual clean out on it. I do my blow-by method with my solution every 10k miles in order to keep it free flowing...and I started doing this at about 60k miles and have 115k miles now. I had a cat up to 100k miles, but now it is catless. I didn't have any problems with the cat...I only removed it because I wanted to run less expensive 100 octane low-lead fuel($5usd/gal) versus the 101 octane unleaded($16usd/gal) we have available. Yes...my bore-scope is a cheap Chinese Supereyes type...and I went through the IAT location as I do for the blow-by process. 

[edd30]

I only removed it because I wanted to run less expensive 100 octane low-lead fuel($5usd/gal) versus the 101 octane unleaded($16usd/gal) we have available. Yes...my bore-scope is a cheap Chinese Supereyes type...and I went through the IAT location as I do for the blow-by process. 

I see, 'scope through IAT, more direct than going via the spark plug, good idea.

100 octane !  the tfsi will love that. Leaded fuel is almost unobtanium here. The highest rated stuff here is BP Ultimate 102, available in very few locations, but it is £2.42 a litre, almost 14USD a US gallon. (http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/bp-launches-uks-highest-octane-fuel) and is the equivalent of 97 octane (US).

[edd30]

Minis seem to be similarly afflicted :

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f15/r56-mini-cooper-s-carbon-build-up-post-your-issues-here-32763/

Some people on the mini forum are using walnut blasting to clean the inlet tract. Seems to cost £200 for 4 cylinder and £300 for 6 cylinder cars.



Will it really be that clean afterwards ?
Any one tried this type of service ?

[Tfsi_Mike]

@vRSAlex was talking about getting a walnut blaster

[edd30]

Guys over on ASN talking about the same problems (on the TFSI engine).
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/preventing-carbon-build-up-2-0-tfsi.217234/

I'd love to try this together with a before and after RR run and emissions test.

Snake oil  or not ??

[edd30]

Recognised as an issue by BMW, they've issued all the dealers with a Strahlmittelgeraet - BMW part number 81292208034.
Looks like this :

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335Xi-N54_3.0l/Search/Tools/ES2101847/

Costs about €900.

I haven't found any one local to me that specialises in this service yet.

AKS - you getting a Strahlmittelgeraet  soon ?

[ROH ECHT]

Media blasting does produce very clean results, but the problem with all of the elaborate or expensive methods is that you will have to repeat. That is why I just do the blow-by religiously.

Yes, all direct injection motors are prone to intake valve build-up. Until now...the MK7 GTI(and perhaps other makes). They are putting 8 injectors in them...leaving 4 at the cylinders, but adding 4 in the intake mani. The 4 intake mani injectors will operate during idle and at low revs in order to increase mpg(VW says) and for intake valve cleaning(according to me). The 4 DI cylinder injectors will operate when load reaches some specified point for performance situations.