Carbon cleaning

funkey_monkey

I've searched about for a while, but I've still not found anyone who has stripped and checked an engine prior to and after a carbon clean.
Is there any conclusions on the promises of this yet?

I'm skeptical about it - if it worked then I would expect the manufacturer/service providers to be putting up before/after images.
Likewise I would have expected the naysayers to do likewise to prove it doesn't work.
All I can find online is just a load of guff, opinions and pseudo chemistry from both sides of the debate.

biko

Doesn't appear to be DIY, moved to main forum for now.

MetzgerMeister

No one is going to strip their engine before and after a clean unless it's a YouTuber IMO.

Chris Fix has a video on seafoam cleaning where he uses a bore scope to check the cylinders and pistons before and after.

funkey_monkey

YouTuber, Fifth Gear - someone/anyone independent.
Borescope would be fine too - just some way of viewing before/after rather than just reviews from some eejit with a BMW who says it 'feels more powerful'.

MetzgerMeister

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdT4DPFXIkM

frozenfrozen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPdz6BMj8EA

biko

I've seen a bunch of vids on products like fuel system cleaner etc and although some seem to work a small bit no product have been a miracle.
I still buy them sometimes, "sure, why not" attitude

funkey_monkey

Seafoam and Techron are fuel additives - they will not clean the intake of a direct injection.
The problem I have is that a HDI engine was coking up. I cleaned the EGR pipework and used Liquid Moly Diesel Intake Cleaner, but it did not fully clean the intake.

I'm considering blanking off the EGR as it is a complete nightmare - causes hunting at idle and soots up the intake system.
I don't want to take the intake off as it is an old car and I don't want to break a stud removing the intake.

funkey_monkey

biko wrote: »

I've seen a bunch of vids on products like fuel system cleaner etc and although some seem to work a small bit no product have been a miracle.
I still buy them sometimes, "sure, why not" attitude

Isn't Dipetane Irish?
You try it?

biko

I have yeah but can't say it's great or anything.

mikeecho

On the topic of additives, I don't believe that any one can or bottle will achieve a complete clean, but I am of the opinion that regular use of such products can help limit or reduce the build up.

But if you've a diesel, and you're only pottering around on short journeys, I don't think any additives will do much.