B8 A4 2.0 TFSI DIY: Carbon Intake Valve Cleaning

[The Infiltrator]

Ahhhh

Looking at this reminds me, I need to do this. Damn that's nasty.

[blbroo]

I looked at mine recently and they weren't really too bad. Used CRC intake valve cleaner last weekend for a home induction clean. Need to scope tomorrow to see if it looks cleaner.


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[boomtime]

I looked at mine recently and they weren't really too bad. Used CRC intake valve cleaner last weekend for a home induction clean. Need to scope tomorrow to see if it looks cleaner.


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What was your approach to avoid removing the manifold?
Or did you remove the manifold?


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[blbroo]

What was your approach to avoid removing the manifold?
Or did you remove the manifold?


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I'll get some scope pics tomorrow.


Used it per the instructions. I bent the spray tube like that using a lighter, then removed the throttle body hose, put the bent hose pointing in the throttle body and slid the hose back on. I used a piece of work to hold the gas pedal down for the right rpm. Was wedged against the seat and I used the seat controls to get the adjustment right.


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[poweredbyaudi7]

I looked at mine recently and they weren't really too bad. Used CRC intake valve cleaner last weekend for a home induction clean. Need to scope tomorrow to see if it looks cleaner.


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Maybe yours look much better because of meth?.

[darkstarghost]

wow thats some build up for only 39k miles. I took this picture of my 3.2's valves at 230,000 kilo's [IMG][/IMG]

[vtheman]

I'll get some scope pics tomorrow.


Used it per the instructions. I bent the spray tube like that using a lighter, then removed the throttle body hose, put the bent hose pointing in the throttle body and slid the hose back on. I used a piece of work to hold the gas pedal down for the right rpm. Was wedged against the seat and I used the seat controls to get the adjustment right.


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I used CRC on my Tiguan a few weeks ago and so far liking the results. Very interested to see your scope pics.

[The Infiltrator]

I'll get some scope pics tomorrow.


Used it per the instructions. I bent the spray tube like that using a lighter, then removed the throttle body hose, put the bent hose pointing in the throttle body and slid the hose back on. I used a piece of work to hold the gas pedal down for the right rpm. Was wedged against the seat and I used the seat controls to get the adjustment right.


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Very interested in this. I really don't want to take the thing apart so this looks like a great alternative.

[fordyoz]

just did this for a friends car. thanks very much Dan for creating the thread, and everyone else who chimed in on their experiences. I didnt do the valve cleaning, just replaced the failed manifold. It was an 09 with about 70k miles on it. The valves did not look very bad at all compared to the other pictures in here.

the hardest part was physically pulling off the manifold and also putting it back on. the injector seals were pretty tight in that rail.

[rh4896]

Quick, newb question here. How would you know that this should be performed and what should you look for? I do not have a scope to check internally.

Also, Blbroo - what area did you stick the hose of the CRC cleaner (sorry, do not know engines that well, really could use a visual) and do you think this would be good to do as a prevenative maintenance on my 2011 with 30k miles?

[zokissima]

So, any update with the results of that CRC cleaner?

[The Infiltrator]

So, any update with the results of that CRC cleaner?

Blbroo does and I'll let him answer but I haven't done mine yet. I hope to do it this weekend.

[Quattro_NOR]

Any updates here?

[blbroo]

I missed questions for me here. Helps to get someone's attention by putting @ in front of their username. Gives me a notice that someone mentioned me, at least I I like that method.

I bent the tube with a lighter and snaked it under the boost hose to spray directly into the throttle body.




#pedalresponce

[AMCast]

The best way to decrease the amount of build up is using a oil catch can. When the engine is relieving the pressure from inside due to combustion, it releases this pressure back into the manifold. This release of pressure has some oil vapors that get thrown into the manifold and eventually gets caked on above the valves. I'm thinking of doing this DIY and then installing a catch can.

[AMCast]

I wonder if the inside of the manifold is also as dirty.

[jokingjimmy]

@blbroo Sexy.

[dbv2]

Is this CRC similar to Seafoam...? I've had tremendous success in my previous cars using Seafoam. On the Vortex the MK2 guys swear by it as well. Not exactly sure if CRC is "turbo safe" and Seafoam not..

[Demringstho864]

I have used the CRC I wasn't pleased with it. Which is why I pulled the manifold And used the BG ISC

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[t28sentra]

The best solution to carbon buildup is an Italian tuneup. Prevent excessive idling and drive the car with some purpose.

[DasKombi]

@t28sentra I like the way you think!


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[zokissima]

Anyone whom has done this, which way do the tumble flaps orient when you put them back in?

[Marko S]

Great write up. I want to tackle this either this weekend or next. Are there any other recommendations to a good cleaner other than the BG ISC? I've looked everywhere and nobody in Canada has it. They carry the 44K and Air Intake System Cleaner, which are additives; one in the gas tank and one in the throttle body. After reading through this a bunch of times, and some other sites I think it's best to pull the manifold and manually scrub. I'll likely use these BG additives down the road once I know my manifold/valves are clean.

[JohnnyB5]

Cleaned my intake valves over the weekend - thank you for the incredibly helpful DIY. My car has 95,000 miles and I have a good feeling this had never been done before i owned it. It has made an incredible difference in the car's response and acceleration.

The carbon was caked on up to 1/4" in some areas - here's a little before/after. I didn't go nuts trying to get polished looking metal on this 95,000 mile car but I would think removing the bulk of the build up is all that's really needed.





I would highly recommend this tool - it worked extremely well in scraping off most of the build up before using the cleaner without the worry of scratching the valves. After scraping as much as you can, blow out the debris with compressed air and most of the work is already done. Filling the closed valves with the cleaner afterwards worked well - the longer you can let it soak the better.

[Marko S]

I was thinking about doing this this weekend, but couldn't get my hands on the BG ISC. After a bunch of calls to local shops, then BG, I finally got put into touch with their distributor here in Ontario. He advised me not to use that ISC stuff, basically because it is a very powerful cleaner, but he also mentioned that if you get it on the rubber o-rings, it will deteriorate them. Regardless, they do not offer the product here in Ontario.

He did inform me that BG came out with a new intake cleaner: https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasol.../#bg-product-4

Same thing, goes in through the throttle body with a special tool. I 100% agree with everyone on here that there is no way to clean it other than to pull the manifold and scrub, however for the amount of work required/time, I want to give this a shot.

The BG dsitributor has only just started training dealerships on this new cleaner, as such I will be going to a Hyundai () dealership to get it done, and he advised me that he would be there personally to ensure it gets done correctly. They run 3 cans of the GDI cleaner with one 44k into the gas tank.

Will keep you updated.

[The Infiltrator]

Cleaned my intake valves over the weekend - thank you for the incredibly helpful DIY. My car has 95,000 miles and I have a good feeling this had never been done before i owned it. It has made an incredible difference in the car's response and acceleration.

The carbon was caked on up to 1/4" in some areas - here's a little before/after. I didn't go nuts trying to get polished looking metal on this 95,000 mile car but I would think removing the bulk of the build up is all that's really needed.





I would highly recommend this tool - it worked extremely well in scraping off most of the build up before using the cleaner without the worry of scratching the valves. After scraping as much as you can, blow out the debris with compressed air and most of the work is already done. Filling the closed valves with the cleaner afterwards worked well - the longer you can let it soak the better.

Oh damn, that's crazy! I hope they can clean mine out when I get stage II oil consumption done or replace my motor.

[leftlanecruiser]

I did this a few months ago at 60k miles and the build up wasn't too bad, probably because I perform the Italian tune-up about 6 times a day . I used B12 Chemtool which is a spray cleaner and it worked REALLY well(purchased from autozone). Also, I improvised a tool that I saw audi or forum members suggest, basically it took a bundle of zip ties, laid them along a socket drill bit and taped/zip-tied them to the bit which makes a relatively soft rotating brush to get rid of the caked on stuff.

http://s284.photobucket.com/user/Jim...38969.jpg.html
http://s284.photobucket.com/user/Jim...38968.jpg.html

I would spray, soak and then use the drill tool, then repeat as necessary. I used a shop vac to pull out the residue and a rag to clean/dry. FYI the resulting sludge created is MESSY, avoid spraying it out with compressed air as it is difficult to clean off of whatever it lands on.

I also ran into a major issue reconnecting the HP fuel line, basically there is a brass compression fitting on the bottom of the HP fuel pump that has a cone shape internal port that accepts the ball shaped end of the HP fuel line (see sketch). For some reason, one of the brass threads wrapped underneath the HP fuel line end as I was reinstalling. Everything felt fine during reinstall and there were no indications of damage, but when I opened the car door(triggers the priming of the fuel pump) it sprayed fuel everywhere. It took another day to repair as you cannot purchase this fitting alone, you have to buy the whole fuel pump... long story short i had to re-drill the cone shape and clean up the threads...it was a PITA but luckily no more fuel leak.

I hope this helps all you fellow DIYers.

[A4x]

I did this a few months ago at 60k miles and the build up wasn't too bad, probably because I perform the Italian tune-up about 6 times a day . I used B12 Chemtool which is a spray cleaner and it worked REALLY well(purchased from autozone). Also, I improvised a tool that I saw audi or forum members suggest, basically it took a bundle of zip ties, laid them along a socket drill bit and taped/zip-tied them to the bit which makes a relatively soft rotating brush to get rid of the caked on stuff.

http://s284.photobucket.com/user/Jim...38969.jpg.html
http://s284.photobucket.com/user/Jim...38968.jpg.html

I would spray, soak and then use the drill tool, then repeat as necessary. I used a shop vac to pull out the residue and a rag to clean/dry. FYI the resulting sludge created is MESSY, avoid spraying it out with compressed air as it is difficult to clean off of whatever it lands on.

So how did you car run after doing this? Looks like you had only moderate buildup, and did this at pretty low milage.

[leftlanecruiser]

Nothing really noticeable for me. Maybe a little bit smoother throttle feel.

[JohnnyB5]

So 5 days after doing this job I get a check engine light and code p2015 - (Intake Manifold Runner Position Sensor/Switch Circuit Range/Performance - Active/static)

I've done some reading up on this code and a lot of people seem to attribute it with needing an intake manifold replacement. It strikes me as odd that this pops up right after I removed it. Is there any way I could have screwed something up, or would cleaning the intake valves somehow cause this to fail more quickly?

[Justin B8]

Anyone whom has done this, which way do the tumble flaps orient when you put them back in?

They will only go in one way, the flap is offset mounted to the the orange rubber seals. If you try and install them upsidedown, they will stick out and wont sit flush with the intake port.
You pretty much can't screw it up.

[Justin B8]

I did this job about a month ago; lots of buildup at 68k miles; I am certain they were never cleaned. Two tools that I found useful, both from Harbor Freight

1. Set of stainless steel picks for modeling clay, $6:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece...set-34152.html

2. Engine brush kit for $17; I chucked these into my cordless drill. Fill the port with ISC, wait a couple of hours and scrub, I used blue paper shop towels to soak up the crud, shop vac for any bristles that came off. This worked perfectly:

http://www.harborfreight.com/engine-...-pc-69020.html

[TurboNate]

Finally came around doing this yesterday and this was the buildup at 101k


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[Slim0531]

Finally came around doing this yesterday and this was the buildup at 101k


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What brand/ type of gas you using? Or does it matter at all?


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[TurboNate]

What brand/ type of gas you using? Or does it matter at all?


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Costco/Shell 91


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[asfastas63]

Costco/Shell 91


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Your zoom isn't the best but I have to say doesn't look terrible for 101k. Mine looked as bad or worse at 65k. Definitely needed to be done though!

[The Infiltrator]

Costco/Shell 91


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I use Shell 93 so I wonder if mine actually look good. I'll have to tear it apart sometime but then again I only have 42k on it.

[TurboNate]

Your zoom isn't the best but I have to say doesn't look terrible for 101k. Mine looked as bad or worse at 65k. Definitely needed to be done though!

I'm glad it's finally been done! Running so much smoother. And I'm sure she's happy I did it as well


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[gqambitions]

Your zoom isn't the best but I have to say doesn't look terrible for 101k. Mine looked as bad or worse at 65k. Definitely needed to be done though!

where did you get yours done?

[asfastas63]

I use Shell 93 so I wonder if mine actually look good. I'll have to tear it apart sometime but then again I only have 42k on it.

Should be easy to tell by startup behavior. Does it run rough during the first minute? If not you're probably good. Probably doesn't hurt to do every 50-60k but when it really needs it you'll start seeing misfires/bucking on cold startup.

where did you get yours done?

Did it myself. Very doable DIY as long as you portion off a weekend to do it. I wouldn't want to have to take it apart/clean it/put it back together in the same day.