How to reduce the dreaded valve carbon?

[LC48]

Genuine question, not trying to refute the claim or stir the pot -- why don't OEMs put them on there if there's such a benefit?

OEM's do in fact install catch cans, sometimes called separators, generally on higher end vehicles and of a design that requires little to no maintenance by an owner. The devices are well known and work to reduce the amount of crankcase oil in vapor being reingested. A basic catch can from the factory would cost them more during manufacturing, but more importantly they would have hell with them as owners would likely fail to service them, reingest liquid and arrive at the shop via tow truck.

Intake valve coking is extremely well known and documented in all DI only engines, the 2-litre ecoboost is no exception - they will coke like the others.

Most OEM's have little interest in extending your vehicle life much beyond the warranty period, the majority of their customers do not run 'em as long as many of us likely will.

Maintaining your vehicle in as near new condition as practical and possible for each individual is much more responsible from an environmental perspective than the vast majority, especially the vocal ones, will ever do.

Sponsored

 

[JimKivi]

Well, my opinion, the internet is full of the sky is falling, I had minor concerns in the beginning but after reading the bad and good from respected mechanics, tuners, and several on this forum that had put 100k miles on previous EB with same design with no issues as long as the engine is well maintained, chg oil/filter every 5K full synthetic, use tier 1 gasoline brands, if their is a noticeable decrease in performance around 100K just have the maintenance process of walnut blasting for around $500 +/- and carry on. Life too short to worry about the small stuff. Have fun and enjoy life. I do applaud your research and all, well done

Surprised that $500 repair bill comes easier to you than a few preventative measures, but to each their own...some folks trade in at that mileage, but my tight-wallet car budget is just hitting second gear...

 

[shrek]

Yes! Moving on.
Please show us issues that have occurred on Mavericks from carbon buildup on valves. We're waiting.



Are they truly necessary or just another way for an aftermarket company to take your money for a 'mod'?


Until shown sufficient evidence, I have to believe that this is an overblown problem which serves the companies who sell these "fixes". Plus it scratches an itch for the DIYers who want to build a better mouse trap. Problem is that there might not actually be a problem and there's no mice to catch.

If you dont know; you just dont know. So I can assist with the learning:





He explains it very well. Mavericks have not been around long. But the Direct Injection 2.0L has been and the issues are real.

 

[surfstar]

If you dont know; you just dont know. So I can assist with the learning:

He explains it very well. Mavericks have not been around long. But the Direct Injection 2.0L has been and the issues are real.

...but how widespread? 2% of engines? 20%? 90%?

90k timing belt changes were a thing for a long time. Hundreds of dollars each time. FOR EACH ENGINE. 100% required maintenance.
How often will you need to walnut blast?
I still think its overblown - assist my learnin' with some real, hard numbers.

 

[Deleted member 30736]

DI coking is like space aliens or Sasquatch. You either believe in it or you don't.

 

[PapaRico]

Yes! Moving on.
Please show us issues that have occurred on Mavericks from carbon buildup on valves. We're waiting.



Are they truly necessary or just another way for an aftermarket company to take your money for a 'mod'?


Until shown sufficient evidence, I have to believe that this is an overblown problem which serves the companies who sell these "fixes". Plus it scratches an itch for the DIYers who want to build a better mouse trap. Problem is that there might not actually be a problem and there's no mice to catch.

I'd rather not wait until the 100k mark to find out if there are issues, just a little late for prevention at that point, since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I look at it as a fueling of the economy in buying from "the companies". Now, just in case there are some mice, I can catch them.

 

[DoubleXL]

Wouldnt some seafoam in fuel tank + sport mode + full send release some carbon?

Premium isnt available all the time where i live... we have an oil pricing board that sets ceilings per gasoline shipments (we get 3 shipments a year of 89 octane sold as 87 as its expected to degrade to 87 by the time the next shipments arrives) the closest 91 octane is 550km away and only trucked to town when they arent forced to sell it at a loss.

 

[Bwicka]

Spend 300-500 for catch cans now or $500+ inflation later for walnut blasting , a little oil vapor atmospheres now (all ice cars do it)or pay the lung damage price for the coal plant to make the electricity, to turn the compressor to blast the valves with crushed walnut shells made with more dirty electricity!
Wow ! More epa battle on here than productive solutions to the mechanical vehicle we all chose to purchase from a coal powered Mexican assembly plant brought into the us duty free via n@ft@. Thanks to B sr.

 

[JimKivi]

Wouldnt some seafoam in fuel tank + sport mode + full send release some carbon?

Premium isnt available all the time where i live... we have an oil pricing board that sets ceilings per gasoline shipments (we get 3 shipments a year of 89 octane sold as 87 as its expected to degrade to 87 by the time the next shipments arrives) the closest 91 octane is 550km away and only trucked to town when they arent forced to sell it at a loss.

I don't think that the seafoam would help, since the gas is NOT sprayed into the air stream hitting the back of the intake valve. Rather, it is sprayed into the chamber - the whole reason for the problem.

 

[shrek]

...but how widespread? 2% of engines? 20%? 90%?

90k timing belt changes were a thing for a long time. Hundreds of dollars each time. FOR EACH ENGINE. 100% required maintenance.
How often will you need to walnut blast?
I still think its overblown - assist my learnin' with some real, hard numbers.

ROFLMAO! You don't even have a dog in the fight. So I guess its a moot point for you. Us boosted folks DO have a dog in that fight.

Ill do me, and you do you. Yur truck. Do what you want. My truck; I will do what I want. I think that a lil breather cap and catch cans will allow my puppy truck to live a happy life. And NOT cost 500.00 like the wifemates Edge (2020) has the 2.0L EcoBoost.
It the walnut blasting done at 50K as they were caked and it was running a lil rough. And before you try to tell me to use better oil or change it sooner........ 5K oil Changes Pennzoil Platinum Full syn, and Purolator BOSS oil filters since NEW. The oil coking is REAL.

 

[CajunMick]

Interesting info.

But I read the 2.0 EB engine has a “cup” like PVC drain feature already built into it. Supposing where the PVC system starts, at engine vent port, there’s a baffle system that diverts any oil from suction/vacuum, returns it to the crankcase.

Curious. Anybody aware of that?

 

[surfstar]

ROFLMAO! You don't even have a dog in the fight. So I guess its a moot point for you. Us boosted folks DO have a dog in that fight.

Ill do me, and you do you. Yur truck. Do what you want. My truck; I will do what I want. I think that a lil breather cap and catch cans will allow my puppy truck to live a happy life. And NOT cost 500.00 like the wifemates Edge (2020) has the 2.0L EcoBoost.
It the walnut blasting done at 50K as they were caked and it was running a lil rough. And before you try to tell me to use better oil or change it sooner........ 5K oil Changes Pennzoil Platinum Full syn, and Purolator BOSS oil filters since NEW. The oil coking is REAL.

I had a 2016 VW 1.8T - I spent hours reading about all the horror stories of Audi/VW issues. Kept it 70k + miles, not a single issue and my average mpg exceeded the hwy mpg. Gasser, not TDI. Rated 25/35 and lifetime avg was 38 mpg.

Again, how many engines percentage-wise, does this truly affect?

 

[Gonzo chris]

I had a 2016 VW 1.8T - I spent hours reading about all the horror stories of Audi/VW issues. Kept it 70k + miles, not a single issue and my average mpg exceeded the hwy mpg. Gasser, not TDI. Rated 25/35 and lifetime avg was 38 mpg.

Again, how many engines percentage-wise, does this truly affect?

Hey I'm currently driving a 2016 VW Golf w with a 1.8t and have about 37,000 miles on it. Knock on wood no issues yet

 

[surfstar]

Hey I'm currently driving a 2016 VW Golf w with a 1.8t and have about 37,000 miles on it. Knock on wood no issues yet

Nice. I miss the Sportwagen. Last manual trans I'll probably have owned. Tons of cargo space per car size, fun to drive, cheap to buy thanks to dieselgate back then, and fit/finish quality similar to vehicles twice the cost.

 

[Gonzo chris]

Nice. I miss the Sportwagen. Last manual trans I'll probably have owned. Tons of cargo space per car size, fun to drive, cheap to buy thanks to dieselgate back then, and fit/finish quality similar to vehicles twice the cost.

I have the Golf SE with the automatic ( in case , God forbid, the wife had to drive it but now my son started driving) . My other car is a manual- a 2005 Infiniti g35 sport coupe I bought new that has 33,000 miles on it currently. I rarely drive the g35 but I've been lately and have been thinking it's a dying breed- naturally aspirated engine, manual transmission, red.....- it's a lot more fun to drive. I was going to use some of the proceeds from the same towards a Maverick down payment and give my son the VW next year when he's a senior.

Sponsored