Recommendations for carbon buildup cleaners

robbiew

Just wondering if anyone here has used any products with positive results for reducing carbon buildup.

Specifically in a 2.5 petrol.

I was looking on youtube and plenty of people use Seafoam with some positive results, but apart from buying from ebay, can't find it closer to home.

I have read that the fuel in the US causes more carbon then here in Ireland and the UK.

So just looking for products that follow board members have tried.

biko

As I've said before - Seafoam is great (apparently) and there is a service here called Terraclean but you should know that sometimes the deposits actually help seal the engine in old cars and if you put stuff in to remove it they can develop other problems/leaks (apparently).

You can use various cleaners like Dipetane or Redex that supposedly will help restore old engines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03nL8Z0dRkI

robbiew

Hi Biko, i've used Redex in the past on other cars and bikes,

Mechanic i usually use, always top work done by him, didn't think much last time i asked him about redex.

I'll take a look a Terraclean, i've heard of it before but never used it, and tbh completely forgot name.

Limbo123

I have used Terraclean a few times now.

Twice on a 2005 Merc SLK Petrol and once on a 2007 Sportage Diesel. Both had carbon build up.

No improvements whatsoever in the SLK on each treatment. I was really disappointed. The Sportage Diesel however was a different story. You really noticed a remarkable improvement straight away.

I have spoken with others that were less than pleased with the same TC treatment on their petrol cars - Passat, 3 series and a Clio

It will be a lot cheaper giving Redex or similar a couple of tries before going down the route of a petrol Terraclean treatment.

jimgoose

BG 44K is another product along the lines of Redex, but apparently more effective. It's sister product BG 244K is for diesel engines.

biko

There is discussion on the internets about the use of water to remove carbon, could be something to look at.

Be super careful if you do this so you don't hydrolock the engine

wandererz

Have a look at CleanDrive

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a2RqsqR8FpA

robbiew

I've decided to go with the TerraClean, will get it done on monday, and see if there's any difference.

jca

robbiew wrote: »

I've decided to go with the TerraClean, will get it done on monday, and see if there's any difference.

Will you let us know what you think when it's done?

robbiew

Will do, i'll give an update on Mon evening.

wandererz

Ensure you have done a service recently or do one soon after the terraclean.
(at least air filter and/or fuel filter).
From experience it's made a huge difference in perception of improvement.

robbiew

Well had the TerraClean De-carbonising service and Induction cleaning service done, and i notice the improvement straight away.

Smoother in first on take off, and more responsive all through the gears, 

Also notice before i had it done, if i put my foot down my mpg would drop, especially if i floored it.
Now when i do it it doesn't drop anymore and if i drive constant it did rise.

But time will tell over the next few weeks with the mpg.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone, if you have high milage, mine is at 103k and big difference, with less milage TerraClean guy says wouldn't it notice too much.

biko

Thanks for updating us.

jca

robbiew wrote: »

Well had the TerraClean De-carbonising service and Induction cleaning service done, and i notice the improvement straight away.

Smoother in first on take off, and more responsive all through the gears, 

Also notice before i had it done, if i put my foot down my mpg would drop, especially if i floored it.
Now when i do it it doesn't drop anymore and if i drive constant it did rise.

But time will tell over the next few weeks with the mpg.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone, if you have high milage, mine is at 103k and big difference, with less milage TerraClean guy says wouldn't it notice too much.

How much did it cost?

robbiew

€220 in total and took just under 2 hours.