RS4: Intake Manifold Carbon Build-Up & Clean Up

[jalas]

He said that Audi "DID" clean it for him, and yes his RS4 is still covered under warranty. The results of Audi's cleaning sucked, and Audi gave him back his car with the black soot/carbon buildup you see in the pictures above that he posted. In short, Audi threw some cleaner in there, said they won't take off the manifold to inspect any further, (probably tried to deny his warranty coverage completely b/c he had a "catback exhaust?), and said have fun with your $80K car still covered under warranty that is going flat after 6000 rpms.

Very similar to my experience with Audi, while my car was still covered under warranty, but mine's an S4. They really try to f--k with you (the dealership that is) until you show them the light. Amazing really.

Almost accurate. My car has zero engine mods, including exhaust. I like the way the car sounds so I may not ever do an exhaust. The only mods are 10mm rear spacers and an OEM front filler plate. Pretty much stock.

Like I said Audi did "clean" the car and did not want to open up the manifold to just see. Unless the car is throwing a code nothing is going to happen. In any event, I have opened a case with Audi. The car still has a warranty and they still are honoring it.

Honestly, I can't seem them doing too much given all the direct injection motors they have out there. More pics to come shortly.

[RS4POWER]

Almost accurate. My car has zero engine mods, including exhaust. I like the way the car sounds so I may not ever do an exhaust. The only mods are 10mm rear spacers and an OEM front filler plate. Pretty much stock.

Like I said Audi did "clean" the car and did not want to open up the manifold to just see. Unless the car is throwing a code nothing is going to happen. In any event, I have opened a case with Audi. The car still has a warranty and they still are honoring it.

Honestly, I can't seem them doing too much given all the direct injection motors they have out there. More pics to come shortly.

Audi will not take off the manifold even when CEL pops up. They go by a certain procedure. They will try everything they can without removing the IM and only when none of those methods work will they be forced to take it off to inspect. You did the best thing by removing yourself. It is good that you have the skill to do so.

Tim (silverrs4) has removed his IM plenty of times. He found that while driving in winter months there was no CB, only a very thin oily film not worth mentioning. Come summer time and hot temps there was carbon galore.

I will let him chime in with details as to why he believes this happens but everyone feel free to discuss. Maybe Audi did do their work on the fsi engine (for the most part).

[ArthurPE]

....
Tim (silverrs4) has removed his IM plenty of times. He found that while driving in winter months there was no CB, only a very thin oily film not worth mentioning. Come summer time and hot temps there was carbon galore.

I will let him chime in with details as to why he believes this happens but everyone feel free to discuss. Maybe Audi did do their work on the fsi engine (for the most part).

that is very interesting...
a couple of differences:
less humid in winter
obviously cooler in winter,
charge air is cooler
takes longer to warm up and runs cooler in winter
the valves should be marginally cooler...

how does this factor into valve deposit? let me ponder that one for a while

I did notice, what appears to be an upward kink in the cyclone drain hose...
if true, this would prevent the hose from draining completely, it would always have some oil in it, with the result being possible back-up in the cyclone sump because the 'head' would inhibit draining, and would allow the air stream to pick up oil (or not seperate it)...I would think this would need to have a continuous slope...like all drains should, unless you WANT a liquid seal 'trap'...

does anyone have a pic of thr cyclone installed, and the hoses?