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Direct Injection and Carbon Buildup
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
2013 E350 Sport Wagon - 4Matic
Direct Injection and Carbon Buildup
So my wife's Lexus IS is having some issues and the dealer is stating that it's experiencing carbon buildup due to the direct injection engine. Are they're any concerns with carbon buildup on our 2012+ 350s? If so, how can we stay proactive?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 336
Likes: 19
I had a 2012 E350 (DI engine) for almost three years, and no issues at all. The engine started like new every morning, regardless of the weather. The engine felt just like the day we picked it up new at the dealer.
All we did was to use 'only' Chevron Premium gas (91 Octane in CA here) in every tank since it was new. We did the annual Service A and B at the dealer. That's all.
I don't know, may be we were lucky or Mercedes engineered the engine right...
Now we traded-in the E350 with a E550 (also DI), and we plan to do the same. Fingers crossed.
All we did was to use 'only' Chevron Premium gas (91 Octane in CA here) in every tank since it was new. We did the annual Service A and B at the dealer. That's all.
I don't know, may be we were lucky or Mercedes engineered the engine right...
Now we traded-in the E350 with a E550 (also DI), and we plan to do the same. Fingers crossed.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 268
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2011 E550, 2008 SL55 AMG
I asked this question of a very knowledgeable M-B senior tech. The answer is that the engine design doesn't include anything (like EGR) that should/could lead to carbon build up in the intake.
Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 133
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From: Pittsburgh
2012 E550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I don't believe EGR valve has ever been required by law. It just used to be about the only way to "completely" burn the fuel by burning some of the exhaust gases again. It may also have helped with emissions this way.
Modern cars of today do a much better job with measuring the available oxygen in the engine cylinders and adjusting the amount of fuel sprayed in the cylinders accordingly.
Modern cars of today do a much better job with measuring the available oxygen in the engine cylinders and adjusting the amount of fuel sprayed in the cylinders accordingly.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
Albeit lengthy, this is an excellent thread concerning the engineering challenges inherent in the design of Direct Injection engines.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-buildup.html
Regards,
Don
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-buildup.html
Regards,
Don
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 234
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2013 E350 Sport Wagon - 4Matic
Albeit lengthy, this is an excellent thread concerning the engineering challenges inherent in the design of Direct Injection engines.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-buildup.html
Regards,
Don
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-buildup.html
Regards,
Don
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
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From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
These cars are very expensive to repair. If you are planning on keeping the car past the original warranty, getting an extended warranty is a good idea not just for potential DI problems.
Regards,
Don
Regards,
Don
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
I'm guessing the latest US laws governing gasoline will help minimize this problem since it removes some of the contaminants in question.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 268
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2011 E550, 2008 SL55 AMG
EGR is a solution for meeting emissions standards. A manufacturer that can meet emissions standards without resorting to EGR is money ahead. Apparently the new M-B direct injection engines are clean enough that EGR is no longer needed.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
This talk about carbon build up on the intake valves kind of does not make sense to me. The new engines don't have EGR meaning all air flowing thru the intake valves is just clean air. How in hell would these valves get carbon build up on them?
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
Carbon build up in cars come from not driving them. (My experience basically) I have never herd of a modern car however having these issues unless it sits for months at a time not used. Also too much light driving could cause a build up...Or am I thinking only in the days of old?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
Interesting. I'm not at all technically minded, but I thought that Toyota's version of DI had some sort of combination of DI and multi-port injection to avoid the carbon build-up problem?
Thread Starter
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2013 E350 Sport Wagon - 4Matic
Same models do (I believe they call it dual injection). Unfortunately, not my wife's vehicle.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
The purpose of the Toyota direct/port injection combination is to increase gas mileage. As a side benefit it also solves the carbon buildup problem. DI is more efficient at low rpms and port is better at high rpms.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
dfordham's link in post #6 explains it pretty well.....https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-buildup.html Reader's digest version is the buildup is caused mainly by unburned gas entering the intake track from the cylinder and cooking on the hot surfaces.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Valve timing/overlap and it's not just unburned gas left over after incomplete detonation. Some of it is fresh charge that escapes back through the intake valve before it completely closes.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
keep in mind that the cars should still have pcv valves which can cause the ingestion of oil into the intake tract without fuel to help clean the valves, you could end up with some carbon build up.
