Carbon intake cleaner.
06-10-2019, 11:32 PM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Carbon intake cleaner.
I have a 2015 VW GTI that I love in addition to my W212. The GTI is at 50k, MB at 40k. VW is a 2.0t, and we all know the carbon build up on that engine due to direct injection and turbo.
I recently took over the oil changing process on the VW. Ran a few ounces of sea foam in the old oil (idle for 20 minutes), and I also used this CRC carbon intake spray cleaner, first time on the CRC, have done the sea foam for many years on many cars.
Link to the spray at the bottom.
The change in the VW is tremendous! Smooth idle instead of cold hiccups, silky smooth power delivery, very quiet. Overall feels far less labored. No, not brand new, but maybe like it was at around 20k miles. Hard to tell though because now it has been tuned with the APR 1 computer flash (insanely fun).
On the Benz, I have always noticed that a can of fuel cleaner with PEA makes it run a lot soother, takes the lumpiness out of the power delivery. It needs it about every 2,500 miles or so. I’m running a can of aimsoil (sp) in it right now and man is it smooth. But I know it won’t last. It makes me think carbon on the valves exists. It’s not rough without it, but it’s not exactly silky either. And I do notice a weird but subtle hiccup occurs right about when the engine temp hits the normal 90 degrees on the dial. It’s brief, but feels like the car misfired. I recall about 18 months ago an indi mechanic I trust scanned the car with the star machine and saw a report of a misfire once in #6 cylinder that wasn’t cleared out. I’m noticing that hiccup more as the mileage increases. But it’s gone when I’ve got additive in the tank.
Question - anyone try this cleaner before? I’ve read the debate on here about carbon being and not being an issue with these cars. Personally, I don’t understand how they couldn’t have carbon issues too, just given the design of direct injection in general and nothing washing over the valves to clean them. Given the success of the VW with it, I’m really thinking about using it on the Benz too and changing the oil myself soon (always done at the dealership).
Here is the link (not advertising this, but don’t know how else to show what I’m taking about). I do think it works pretty well. I saved a couple of squirts from the can to see what it could do to the caked on black exhaust tips on the VW (chrome). I’ve tried to clean them for a long time. Claybar, tirewhite, polishing tip on Dremel, etc. This stuff ate throw that junk with no problems. Sprayed a little on the exhaust tips, rubbed with an old toothbrush for a few moments, and wiped off with a wet rag. Took it all off and back to shiny chrome (and obvious scratch marks from my previous attempts). So if it could eat it up on the exhaust tips, then I have to believe it ate up a decent bit from the valves too. The VW hiccuped and clattered for about 10 miles, then it basically farted, and took off like the angry little Hampster that it is! Has been perfect now for a few weeks and about 1,000 miles..
I recently took over the oil changing process on the VW. Ran a few ounces of sea foam in the old oil (idle for 20 minutes), and I also used this CRC carbon intake spray cleaner, first time on the CRC, have done the sea foam for many years on many cars.
Link to the spray at the bottom.
The change in the VW is tremendous! Smooth idle instead of cold hiccups, silky smooth power delivery, very quiet. Overall feels far less labored. No, not brand new, but maybe like it was at around 20k miles. Hard to tell though because now it has been tuned with the APR 1 computer flash (insanely fun).
On the Benz, I have always noticed that a can of fuel cleaner with PEA makes it run a lot soother, takes the lumpiness out of the power delivery. It needs it about every 2,500 miles or so. I’m running a can of aimsoil (sp) in it right now and man is it smooth. But I know it won’t last. It makes me think carbon on the valves exists. It’s not rough without it, but it’s not exactly silky either. And I do notice a weird but subtle hiccup occurs right about when the engine temp hits the normal 90 degrees on the dial. It’s brief, but feels like the car misfired. I recall about 18 months ago an indi mechanic I trust scanned the car with the star machine and saw a report of a misfire once in #6 cylinder that wasn’t cleared out. I’m noticing that hiccup more as the mileage increases. But it’s gone when I’ve got additive in the tank.
Question - anyone try this cleaner before? I’ve read the debate on here about carbon being and not being an issue with these cars. Personally, I don’t understand how they couldn’t have carbon issues too, just given the design of direct injection in general and nothing washing over the valves to clean them. Given the success of the VW with it, I’m really thinking about using it on the Benz too and changing the oil myself soon (always done at the dealership).
Here is the link (not advertising this, but don’t know how else to show what I’m taking about). I do think it works pretty well. I saved a couple of squirts from the can to see what it could do to the caked on black exhaust tips on the VW (chrome). I’ve tried to clean them for a long time. Claybar, tirewhite, polishing tip on Dremel, etc. This stuff ate throw that junk with no problems. Sprayed a little on the exhaust tips, rubbed with an old toothbrush for a few moments, and wiped off with a wet rag. Took it all off and back to shiny chrome (and obvious scratch marks from my previous attempts). So if it could eat it up on the exhaust tips, then I have to believe it ate up a decent bit from the valves too. The VW hiccuped and clattered for about 10 miles, then it basically farted, and took off like the angry little Hampster that it is! Has been perfect now for a few weeks and about 1,000 miles..
Last edited by nc211; 06-10-2019 at 11:49 PM.
