Dealer wants to do a Decarb Service?

[breis]

Guys, I have been floating around here for a bit, but not really posting. I have a 2010 Flex ecoboost. I bought it 1/12 with 70k on the clock. I know, that's alot, but I spoke with the one previous owner, saw all the service records, and got a 4/48 extended warranty. Paid about half the sticker price, so I figured a win.

Anyway.... The car started acting up Saturday, spitting and sputtering, and rolling a little smoke out of the exhaust, while my wife was driving it. Turns out the smoke was unburned fuel. It would about knock you out, if you stood behind the car. I had it towed to the dealer Sunday, and waited to hear from them.

Turns out the #2 injector went bad, and was pouring the fuel on. They also said they found a bad seal in the turbo. So they are replacing the injector, the turbo, and the plugs. Here is the kicker though.

They want to do a decarb service on the vehicle. They said that is "probably" what caused the injector to fail. And they say since it is considered maintenance, the warranty won't pay the $279 bill for it.

I was hoping there might be some techs on here that could tell me if this is really needed, or a way to make a few extra bucks off of me?

 

[SHO U UP]

Ask them how they plan to decarb the system since it's direct injected. A simple fuel system cleaning won't work like on the older Generations. For $279 it doesn't seem like the "proper" way to clean it out since I would think it requires alot more work than what that pays for, IMO.

 

[luigisho]

That sounds like a lot for decarb. I also agree with **** about effectiveness. Gooing up in these (and any direct injection) engines is going to be a problem.

Is this procedure in the owners manual for ongoing maintenance? I would do it to keep warranty issues to a minimum if it is called for in the owners manual. Otherwise, you can get it cheaper somewhere else if you want it done at all. Look around at other DI engine platform sites and see what's been going on.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...per-engine-clean-decarbonization-2-print.html

Is there a catch can available that fits in the pvc line for these cars? Keeping the oily gunk outta there in the first place is probably a worthwhile pursuit.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

There is a 3M kit that is available that you can use to do it yourself. The issue they are talking about is possible carbon on the intake valves. This has happened in other Direct Injection engines, and has been a particularly bad issue in some Audis. What happens is the oil blow by, in your instance likely the leaky turbo seals, gets on the valves and is turned to carbon by the heat. This reduces the available amount of air getting into the cylinder(s) and causes the engine to run rich. I don't see how that could have possibly affected the DI injector though, unless the carbon somehow got on the end of it and clogged it. But that doesn't seem realistic.
BG has a system that supposedly cleans the valves, that dealers and other mechanics use. I would guess that is what your dealer is proposing.

Another point... Ford has a built-in oil catch can built into the firewall side valve cover to trap oil blow by from PCV system. This was designed to eliminate the Audi issue, but leaks elsewhere in turbos, or the blow by from front valve cover can still eventually cause this issue in DI engines. I put a breather on my front valve cover and blocked the inlet where it vented into the intake pipe. I can't believe how much oil has collected on the breather in 10,000 mi.

In my 2 G8's with V-8's I installed aftermarket "Catch Cans" to catch this oil blow by, and I collect about an ounce of oil every 3K! This would coat the inside of the intake, though the TB injectors would keep the intake valves clean.

You can see how bad the oiling is by unhooking your intake pipe at the Throttle Body and checking the oil residue with your finger, or a paper towel. You should also have some film on the TB blade and around the edge.

 

[thebigjimsho]

Tell him you'll pay him in proceeds from your Savings and Loan...

 

[EcoPowerParts]

Buy a alky/water injection kit, that'll keep it super clean

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

4DRHTRD is correct... My intake was spotless when I was spraying... You don't need the Livernois expensive kit.. Torrie's basic kit works great for moderate performance gains, and Devils Own, or going direct to Alky Control for their system that Livernois sells is another option. For more info on performance options including W/M spraying... go to EcoBoost Performance Forum. OR... do some searches right here... great info for FREE!

 

[Crash712us]

Its does sound a little pricey, I don't think the B&G service is that much. Unless the motor is so slugged up they plan on doing it twice. For me personally they have to explain why they are charging almost double for what this type of service usually costs.
But for that kind of money you could go get 2 3m fuel system cleaning kits for $60 or less total. And do it yourself, very simple to perform youtube how to video and everything.