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Posted

Direct injection is starting to make its way in the the independent shops. What are you all doing to remove the carbon build up in the intake chamber? This is something that I do not have much knowledge about but for see it becoming a large service at 50-100k.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS8riAae_bM Here is a good video that explains why and the fixes that are being attempted.

 

 

Posted

I rotate engine to make sure valves are closed, and soak in carb cleaner, seafoam etc.. then vacuum it out, scrape any big chunks off valves, repeat, vacuum, and blow out port with an air hose then on to the next valve. Involved process.

 

A blasting media would spead it up a lot but how would you control the mess? I'd also be feaful that a tech may get media in an open valve (just thinking worst case scenario).

  • Like 1
Posted

I have a factory BMW media blaster for BMW/MINI with specific attachments. Whatever u get make sure it is a pressurized media blaster. The cheap ones from harbor freight or wherever DO NOT WORK. This will be an investment in tooling and media so you have to charge accordingly!

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Posted

I've heard really good things about the Mopar top end cleaner.

It is a aerosol foam spray that does the same job as carb cleaner, seafoam etc, minus the liquid going into the cylinders.

As you spray it in, the foam expands to fill the whole plenum then dissolves all the carbon.

Apparently it's the same formula/MSDS as Wynn top end cleaner, except it's in foam form, where Wynn's is a liquid.

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

Are there any proven gas treatments to help prevent this issue? Are catch cans helping?

Edited by Mario
Posted

I run a catch can on my personal truck, 2010 Sierra 5.3L. Those gen 4 GM engines are known oil consumers, the AFM and PCV systems get oil into the intake.

Any catch can will catch some oil, but ALL of the cheap ones you find on eBay etc will catch less then 20% of the oil that passes through unfortunately.

Most of the cheap catch cans (and some expensive ones) are basically an empty beer can with 2 tubes sticking out, the good ones have way more technology involved.

A good (re: expensive) catch can will catch upwards of 95% of the oil that passes through by the use of multiple chambers, screens and valves.

If you're not paying $100+ for your catch can, it's probably junk. And yes, I did a lot of research before I bought mine.

 

Something to think about:

Every heavy duty semi truck on the road has some form of oil separator in the crankcase ventilation system. Why don't passenger cars?

Posted

I have a factory BMW media blaster for BMW/MINI with specific attachments. Whatever u get make sure it is a pressurized media blaster. The cheap ones from harbor freight or wherever DO NOT WORK. This will be an investment in tooling and media so you have to charge accordingly!

 

Same. Get a legit walnut blaster and save yourself a LOT of headache.

 

Our techs would spend HOURS manually scraping down intakes and valves with the MOPAR top engine cleaner. The walnut blaster + vacuum has dropped this down to a 1hr process.

 

We are going to start seeing a lot more direct injection problems in the coming months/years. This is going to be a must-have tool.

  • Like 1
Posted

I would suggest against the HF blaster. We perform carbon blasting regularly and the pressure pot type of blasters work 10x better than the Rigged up HF version. This has been my experience and perform several blasting jobs monthly so take it for what you will.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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