Question about carbon build up...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 141
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From: Alexandria Virginia
Question about carbon build up...
Dealer said my car has a lot of carbon build up in the intake, and recommended getting it cleaned out.
I've searched and found posts telling how to "do it yourself" with seafoam using the brake booster vacuum line. I've also found that some people put it into their gas tank. This method i'd imagine would clean the fuel injectors and pistons, but not the intake, correct?
My questions are these:
Does having a lot of carbon build up usually mean the car wasn't beaten or taken to red line often?
Will taking it to redline now, before doing any sort of treatment, hurt the motor? It sounds fine to me, but then I have a rather loud exhaust...
Thanks,
Daniel
I've searched and found posts telling how to "do it yourself" with seafoam using the brake booster vacuum line. I've also found that some people put it into their gas tank. This method i'd imagine would clean the fuel injectors and pistons, but not the intake, correct?
My questions are these:
Does having a lot of carbon build up usually mean the car wasn't beaten or taken to red line often?
Will taking it to redline now, before doing any sort of treatment, hurt the motor? It sounds fine to me, but then I have a rather loud exhaust...
Thanks,
Daniel
Last edited by Thalomos; Jul 25, 2009 at 02:43 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Nope.
Most carbon build up was from babying the car. ie not driving it hard enough.
Also change your brand of fuel. and as to hurting the motor, that was from not driving it hard enough.
Can of Techron would not hurt.
Most carbon build up was from babying the car. ie not driving it hard enough.
Also change your brand of fuel. and as to hurting the motor, that was from not driving it hard enough.
Can of Techron would not hurt.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,597
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From: Converse TX
I think a can of Techron and some WOT should help you out some, and your Vette does need spirited motoring every so often to keep from the nasty carbon buildup
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
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From: Alexandria Virginia
I love getting on the car for romps here and there. I've only owned it for a few weeks. It was the previous owners that pussyfooted it around.
I'm only curious if my romping will hurt an engine that is probably running a higher than stock engine compression right now. But I guess it shouldn't, considering people run superchargers and turbos on these engines stock.
Also I'm a little worried about the seafoam into the brake booster vacuum line technique, but it sounds pretty recommended.
Thanks for the help,
Daniel
I'm only curious if my romping will hurt an engine that is probably running a higher than stock engine compression right now. But I guess it shouldn't, considering people run superchargers and turbos on these engines stock.
Also I'm a little worried about the seafoam into the brake booster vacuum line technique, but it sounds pretty recommended.
Thanks for the help,
Daniel
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
May take a fuel tank or two but you will clean it out
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
^ I have to disagree.
Techron (several bottles over a few tanks) didn't help the pinging I had due to carbon buildup. It got so bad that my Zo6 started throwing a knock sensor code for the front Knock sensor because the carbon buildup was causing detonation.. limiting my car to the low octane tables... it was like driving a Ford Taurus.
Then I did ONE treatment of Seafoam through the brake booster and after a few hours of sitting... tons of smoke came out of the tailpipes upon startup. Blew it out, drove the car hard right after... and then changed the oil.
From the time I blew out that smoke I never had pinging.. detonation, no codes, and the car runs like brand new!
Forget techron, it's for babies.
Also, as a side note, it's proven more times than not that techron wont help stuck fuel gauges, but after one tank of Seafoam it does.
Techron is the little sister of Seafoam.
Techron (several bottles over a few tanks) didn't help the pinging I had due to carbon buildup. It got so bad that my Zo6 started throwing a knock sensor code for the front Knock sensor because the carbon buildup was causing detonation.. limiting my car to the low octane tables... it was like driving a Ford Taurus.
Then I did ONE treatment of Seafoam through the brake booster and after a few hours of sitting... tons of smoke came out of the tailpipes upon startup. Blew it out, drove the car hard right after... and then changed the oil.
From the time I blew out that smoke I never had pinging.. detonation, no codes, and the car runs like brand new!
Forget techron, it's for babies.
Also, as a side note, it's proven more times than not that techron wont help stuck fuel gauges, but after one tank of Seafoam it does.
Techron is the little sister of Seafoam.
Race Director
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
^ I have to disagree.
Techron (several bottles over a few tanks) didn't help the pinging I had due to carbon buildup. It got so bad that my Zo6 started throwing a knock sensor code for the front Knock sensor because the carbon buildup was causing detonation.. limiting my car to the low octane tables... it was like driving a Ford Taurus.
Then I did ONE treatment of Seafoam through the brake booster and after a few hours of sitting... tons of smoke came out of the tailpipes upon startup. Blew it out, drove the car hard right after... and then changed the oil.
From the time I blew out that smoke I never had pinging.. detonation, no codes, and the car runs like brand new!
Forget techron, it's for babies.
Also, as a side note, it's proven more times than not that techron wont help stuck fuel gauges, but after one tank of Seafoam it does.
Techron is the little sister of Seafoam.
Techron (several bottles over a few tanks) didn't help the pinging I had due to carbon buildup. It got so bad that my Zo6 started throwing a knock sensor code for the front Knock sensor because the carbon buildup was causing detonation.. limiting my car to the low octane tables... it was like driving a Ford Taurus.
Then I did ONE treatment of Seafoam through the brake booster and after a few hours of sitting... tons of smoke came out of the tailpipes upon startup. Blew it out, drove the car hard right after... and then changed the oil.
From the time I blew out that smoke I never had pinging.. detonation, no codes, and the car runs like brand new!
Forget techron, it's for babies.
Also, as a side note, it's proven more times than not that techron wont help stuck fuel gauges, but after one tank of Seafoam it does.
Techron is the little sister of Seafoam.
Seafoam is for people that didn't take care of there car in the first place...
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
If you would of used Techron fuel in the first place you wouldn't have had to use the so called miracle oil seafoam. I have torn apart motors that have used techron and they are very clean motors.
Seafoam is for people that didn't take care of there car in the first place...
Seafoam is for people that didn't take care of there car in the first place...
Bought it with 43k
I had the car for only 4k miles when I noticed the pinging getting worse. And for what it's worth, the corner gas station happens to be a Chevron, so nearly every tankful had techron.
When the pinging started I began buying the bottles. Over the next 1k miles (a few tankfuls) it threw the 1st knock code.... erase it and it would come back after a few more drives.
Seafoam.... and it's like new.
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Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
As a side note.. I installed an oil catch can shortly after the seafoam. For a period of time I had to use my 'Vette as a daily driver, and about 2 tablespoons or more would be in the can after a few weeks of daily use.
Adding an oil catch can is a good idea. Lots of oil use to be inside the intake manifold. Not much after the can.
I recommend Elite Engineering (forum sponsor)
They make a great part with good service.
Adding an oil catch can is a good idea. Lots of oil use to be inside the intake manifold. Not much after the can.
I recommend Elite Engineering (forum sponsor)
They make a great part with good service.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Nokomis FL
Well I can't help that the previous owner was an old fart who babied it.
Bought it with 43k
I had the car for only 4k miles when I noticed the pinging getting worse. And for what it's worth, the corner gas station happens to be a Chevron, so nearly every tankful had techron.
When the pinging started I began buying the bottles. Over the next 1k miles (a few tankfuls) it threw the 1st knock code.... erase it and it would come back after a few more drives.
Seafoam.... and it's like new.
Bought it with 43k
I had the car for only 4k miles when I noticed the pinging getting worse. And for what it's worth, the corner gas station happens to be a Chevron, so nearly every tankful had techron.
When the pinging started I began buying the bottles. Over the next 1k miles (a few tankfuls) it threw the 1st knock code.... erase it and it would come back after a few more drives.
Seafoam.... and it's like new.
I've had my '99 for 10 years, have used Chevron/Shell with Techron and have no fuel gauge issues and no CARBON. 
Race Director
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Diego
I can't tell you how many guys I've met my dad's age, who've never taken her past 3k rpms.
I'm the third owner of my '00 and bought it with 107k. She was supercharged right then and I'm now up to 122k miles. Only Shell, Chevron, and Unocal 76, never had the fuel gauge problem. She is running a little rough on idle though so I think it's time to run some seafoam through and get rid of some of the carbon from the previous two owners.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I'm curious. How did the dealer detect this carbon? Did they remove the intake or the throttle body and look inside? Is there some test they perform that indicates there is carbon in the intake. And where does this carbon come from. It's my understanding carbon deposits are a byproduct of the combustion process. Surely there is no combustion occurring in your intake? I guess it's just one of those things that make you go hmmmmm.
Last edited by Mark C5; Jul 25, 2009 at 07:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 141
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From: Alexandria Virginia
I'm curious. How did the dealer detect this carbon? Did they remove the intake or the throttle body and look inside? Is there some test they perform that indicates there is carbon in the intake. And where does this carbon come from. It's my understanding carbon deposits are a byproduct of the combustion process. Surely there is no combustion occurring in your intake? I guess it's just one of those things that make you hmmmmm.
I honestly have no idea. Perhaps they meant the oil deal that people use catch cans for?
I've had a friend stand behind my car while I revved it to nearly redline and he saw no smoke come out the back. I'm going to try this techron for now. I dont notice any pinging while driving, but it is a pretty loud car when I get on it. I also have no codes.
I'd have to track the car or put it on a dyno to see if it's losing power. I can't really tell if it's losing any top end power on the butt dyno.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles California
Just WOT it a few times... That will clear it up nicely.
I've owned my Z for 2 weeks and I can tell you that the previous owner didn't baby it that much. He told me I got it up to 175MPH and backed off cause he got scared. But he was definitely on the throttle a lot.
Carbon build up is bad. My Trans Am had NEVER gone WOT when I got it at 29K miles. Apparently there was a little girl that owned it before me and she didn't know about the double-click gas peddle. It took me a week to get that motor back up to par. But I had fun doing it!
I've owned my Z for 2 weeks and I can tell you that the previous owner didn't baby it that much. He told me I got it up to 175MPH and backed off cause he got scared. But he was definitely on the throttle a lot.
Carbon build up is bad. My Trans Am had NEVER gone WOT when I got it at 29K miles. Apparently there was a little girl that owned it before me and she didn't know about the double-click gas peddle. It took me a week to get that motor back up to par. But I had fun doing it!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
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From: Arlington VA
I'm curious. How did the dealer detect this carbon? Did they remove the intake or the throttle body and look inside? Is there some test they perform that indicates there is carbon in the intake. And where does this carbon come from. It's my understanding carbon deposits are a byproduct of the combustion process. Surely there is no combustion occurring in your intake? I guess it's just one of those things that make you go hmmmmm.
Most of the carbon buildup in today's engines is on the backs of the intake valves on top of the pistons. Carbon buildup is an issue with all cars today and can lead to hard starting, pinging, stahling, and drivability issues. You need to employ regular use of a fuel additive like Chevron Techron concentrate or BG44K every 7,500 mi to eliminate the carbon buildup before it becomes a problem. If your car has gone a long time without regular maintenance to reduce carbon buildup, you might need to try a product like SeaFoam or have your garage perform a carbon depletion service using one of the machines from BG Products or Castle. The machines employ harsher chemicals piped directly into the fuel rail to break up the carbon on the valves and piston tops and burn it in the combustion cycle. Good luck with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: cookeville tennessee
Odds are though, the older drivers don't do many WOT runs with their car. Ever.
I can't tell you how many guys I've met my dad's age, who've never taken her past 3k rpms.
I'm the third owner of my '00 and bought it with 107k. She was supercharged right then and I'm now up to 122k miles. Only Shell, Chevron, and Unocal 76, never had the fuel gauge problem. She is running a little rough on idle though so I think it's time to run some seafoam through and get rid of some of the carbon from the previous two owners.
I can't tell you how many guys I've met my dad's age, who've never taken her past 3k rpms.
I'm the third owner of my '00 and bought it with 107k. She was supercharged right then and I'm now up to 122k miles. Only Shell, Chevron, and Unocal 76, never had the fuel gauge problem. She is running a little rough on idle though so I think it's time to run some seafoam through and get rid of some of the carbon from the previous two owners.
what age are you saying befor you are a old fart.The wife tells me I am in my 3rd child hood.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Blowby oil makes carbon
No matter how hard you rev the engine, blowby oil will find its way to your intake, valves, and piston tops. Even with a standard catch can, oil droplets can easily get past the brillo pad steel wool or Scotchbrite material. Trapping blowby oil is like trapping particulates in air filters. The lower the pressure drop across the filter, the less often the filter needs to be replaced, but the higher the dirt content that is getting past the filter. The other issue I've seen with some catch cans is the pieces of steel fiber that break off, potentially getting pulled into the intake.
The bottom line is that you have to trap blowby oil. The quandry is: How often is acceptable for replacing a catch can filter?
The bottom line is that you have to trap blowby oil. The quandry is: How often is acceptable for replacing a catch can filter?