How To Keep A Gdi Engine Clean

Why Gas Direct Injection Engines Require Regular Service

February nineteen, 2022 | Author: Searles Staff | One annotate | Categories: In the Shop

Carbon Build Up on Intake Valves

What to do to keep your fuel intake valves from becoming this

Once confined to diesel and high end gas vehicles, straight injection engines have gone mainstream in contempo years. Offer noticeable improvements to fuel efficiency, this loftier operation system comes with a downside the average driver doesn't know about: intake valve gunk.

Technically the remnants of oxidized fuel, this build up is like shooting fish in a barrel to manage with regular maintenance. Unfortunately, nigh vehicle owners aren't made aware of the additional needs of their GDI engine – at least, not until they roll into the local service shop with the 'check engine' low-cal on.

How Direct Injection Engines Work

To understand how carbon builds up within your engine, nosotros starting time need to understand the process of fuel injection.

In a traditional gas engine, fuel is sprayed from injectors in the intake port to the engine cylinder. During this process, gas washes over your vehicle's intake valves, clearing off whatsoever fuel that has oxidized along the way.

In a modern day GDI engine, the fuel injector lives directly inside the cylinder. This shorter altitude allows for a more optimal spray, meaning that less fuel is consumed for combustion (hence your vehicle gets ameliorate gas mileage). On the downside, gas no longer washing over the intake valves, making it very easy for carbon deposits to form.

Why You Don't Want Dirty Valves

Normal fuel intake valves need to open and shut speedily and smoothly. Unfortunately, carbon deposits can interfere with their function, restricting air menses and leading to clogged fuel systems, as well every bit a host of other problems.

dirty valves engine problems

Signs of intake valve buildup include:

Loss of power/acceleration
Engine misfires
Lower fuel efficiency
Engine shaking
Jerking/vibration at stops
A lit upwardly "check engine" calorie-free

Removing Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves

To keep your car's engine running smoothly, GDI systems should receive a Major Fuel Service every fifty,000 km. During this service, your mechanic may remove the intake manifold and clean your valves using a pressurized cleaner.

At Searles, we use a triple cleaning procedure to articulate away build up. Starting time we disable the vehicle fuel pump and tee into the fuel system with a tool that supplies cleaner for the engine to run on – effectively scrubbing away any build up on the fuel injectors. Next, we attach another tool that sprays cleaner into the air intake surface area of the engine to make clean the passages and valves.

One time both cleaners accept run through, nosotros install a fuel system cleaner and dryer in the fuel tank. Post-service, we recommended that owners fill their tank – thereby ensuring the cleaner remains in the organization as long as possible.

For a more detailed explanation of the procedure behind a Major Fuel Service, we recommend this informative video.

Other Methods

In farthermost cases of carbon buildup, your mechanic may have to resort to stronger methods to clean your engine. The below photograph shows the intake valves of a 2022 GMC that had gone 62,000 km without a fuel service. Thanks to massive carbon accumulation, our usual cleaners weren't enough. Instead, we took a more than physical route, spraying the valves with a high pressure walnut blast. (Aye, we apply actual walnut shells – those things are tough!) As you can see, the difference before and afterward the boom is night and solar day.

Carbon Build Up on Intake Valves

Information technology'southward important to note that the above process is much more than time consuming (and expensive) than your standard fuel service. Prevent a hefty bill (non to mention potential engine issues) past bringing in your vehicle for its fuel service at regular intervals.

What Else Yous Can Exercise:

In between Major Fuel Service Appointments, we recommend doing the following to assist keep your engine clean and working properly:

Get for regular oil changes – we recommend our All-time Oil Service for GDI engines
Supersede older spark plugs (typically good for l,000 to 80,000 km, depending on the manufacturer
Add a fuel system cleaner to maintain the current condition of you fuel arrangement

While these actions will help keep carbon build-upwards under control, it's of import to remember that your vehicle still needs a Major Fuel Service every 50,000 km. If your GDI engine is due for a cleanup, contact the states for an engagement. At Searles Car, we offers this service for $189.95. Rest assured that all of our work is backed past a Peace of Mind Warranty! Book you appointment today!