Going to Decarbonize my 03 Vette (terraclean)
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From: Miami FL
Going to Decarbonize my 03 Vette (terraclean)
Has anyone done the Terraclean service on their car yet? It looks to be the way to go over seafoam or those other harsh cleaners. My 03 A5 has close to 58,000 miles on it and is over 10 years old. Hopefully someone out there has done this service to decarbonize their car.
The shop wants $150 to do it which doesn't seem bad at all considering the benefits I should see, especially in performance and mpg.
The shop wants $150 to do it which doesn't seem bad at all considering the benefits I should see, especially in performance and mpg.
Last edited by Char03; Feb 20, 2014 at 09:40 PM. Reason: link added
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From: Miami FL
I saw it first on Wheeler Dealers
Here is where I first got interested when I saw it done on Wheeler Dealers to this Jag XK8.
The mechanic on the show obviously works for terraclean so they are paying him to promote their product.
Skip to :44
The mechanic on the show obviously works for terraclean so they are paying him to promote their product.
Skip to :44
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,961
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From: Richmond, Ky
I have seen the episode of wheeler dealers too but I doubt he works for them. I have read of a system that a lot of people swore by called MotoVac or motorvac. But I have never met anyone who has personally had it done.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
I have a similar system at my shop. My machine is made by Snap On. Your fuel rail connects directly to the machine. With your car being a 1line system, the feed from the tank is plugged (it will bypass in the tank). We run 4 parts gas with 1 part cleaner. It works well to clean injectors, valves, combustion chambers, 02sensors and cats.
We always do this before replacing cat. converters. I have fixed p0300 codes and have had customers report 1-2 mpg increase along with smoother running and better response. If you have a stock cam and it's not idling as smooth as it used to, it may be worth it. You can also check fuel trims at idle and cruise. If combined st and lt are over 10% it's worth a try. Check the fuel trims again after the service. If they have significantly lowered, reset the fuel trims. They will relearn as you drive.
Remember, results vary. If your car is running well and fuel trims are good, it probably won't make a lot of difference.
We always do this before replacing cat. converters. I have fixed p0300 codes and have had customers report 1-2 mpg increase along with smoother running and better response. If you have a stock cam and it's not idling as smooth as it used to, it may be worth it. You can also check fuel trims at idle and cruise. If combined st and lt are over 10% it's worth a try. Check the fuel trims again after the service. If they have significantly lowered, reset the fuel trims. They will relearn as you drive.
Remember, results vary. If your car is running well and fuel trims are good, it probably won't make a lot of difference.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Something else to consider cleaning when you want to get the idle smoother:
Clean the MAF with MAF cleaner
Clean the Throttle body/ Throttle Blade
If the MAf and TB/ blade are dirty, it can also raise the LTFTs and make a rough idle.
Bill
Clean the MAF with MAF cleaner
Clean the Throttle body/ Throttle Blade
If the MAf and TB/ blade are dirty, it can also raise the LTFTs and make a rough idle.
Bill
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 60
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From: Miami FL
I have a similar system at my shop. My machine is made by Snap On. Your fuel rail connects directly to the machine. With your car being a 1line system, the feed from the tank is plugged (it will bypass in the tank). We run 4 parts gas with 1 part cleaner. It works well to clean injectors, valves, combustion chambers, 02sensors and cats.
We always do this before replacing cat. converters. I have fixed p0300 codes and have had customers report 1-2 mpg increase along with smoother running and better response. If you have a stock cam and it's not idling as smooth as it used to, it may be worth it. You can also check fuel trims at idle and cruise. If combined st and lt are over 10% it's worth a try. Check the fuel trims again after the service. If they have significantly lowered, reset the fuel trims. They will relearn as you drive.
Remember, results vary. If your car is running well and fuel trims are good, it probably won't make a lot of difference.
We always do this before replacing cat. converters. I have fixed p0300 codes and have had customers report 1-2 mpg increase along with smoother running and better response. If you have a stock cam and it's not idling as smooth as it used to, it may be worth it. You can also check fuel trims at idle and cruise. If combined st and lt are over 10% it's worth a try. Check the fuel trims again after the service. If they have significantly lowered, reset the fuel trims. They will relearn as you drive.
Remember, results vary. If your car is running well and fuel trims are good, it probably won't make a lot of difference.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Miami FL
I have no complaints about my idle though. I'm looking at this decarbonizer service as a way to maintain those engine components.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
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From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
To be honest my car is pretty smooth and I have a stock cam, I'm looking at it from a maintenance standpoint because those carbon deposits can build up over 10 years. I don't have a way to check my fuel trims unless I take my care to the tune,r I don't know another way to go about seeing those fuel readings without a scan tool. Do you think I should still reset my fuel trims after the service? I was reading about a way to do that here on the forum by pulling some fuses.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Miami FL
I'll post about my experience when I get the service done next week hopefully.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Chandler AZ
At 10:18-10:20 on the first link the guy says, "now there is more octane in fuel, than there ever has been"
From what I understand, no there is not!
Also one customer said how he could normally tell how his car ran better after a oil change, then it REALLY ran better with this service.
Um, cars don't run better after a oil change, he just thinks it does.
To be fair, I skimmed through the video, and also the one with the English guy.
It seems they are inventing a solution to a problem, that is not really a problem, on a good running car.
If these engines can run for 200,000-350,000 miles, without rebuild if you do normal oil change, run the correct octane, replace air filter when needed.
If you do this, it would be fun if you could take pictures with a scope of the tops of pistons though the spark plug holes before, then after.
You know, water cleans very well, my brother's car blew a head gasket and I fixed the car, it was a 4 cylinder, 2 pistons were spotless, the others were pretty dirty with carbon.
The steam from the blown head gasket really cleaned good, it was driven for a very short time like that.
From what I understand, no there is not!
Also one customer said how he could normally tell how his car ran better after a oil change, then it REALLY ran better with this service.
Um, cars don't run better after a oil change, he just thinks it does.
To be fair, I skimmed through the video, and also the one with the English guy.
It seems they are inventing a solution to a problem, that is not really a problem, on a good running car.
If these engines can run for 200,000-350,000 miles, without rebuild if you do normal oil change, run the correct octane, replace air filter when needed.
If you do this, it would be fun if you could take pictures with a scope of the tops of pistons though the spark plug holes before, then after.
You know, water cleans very well, my brother's car blew a head gasket and I fixed the car, it was a 4 cylinder, 2 pistons were spotless, the others were pretty dirty with carbon.
The steam from the blown head gasket really cleaned good, it was driven for a very short time like that.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 855
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I hate to show my lack of knowledge but my 01 has a slight rough idle and I read somewhere about cleaning MAF, what is the MAF and where is it located and how do I clean it. Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
MAF = MASS AIR FLOW Sensor.
Its in the air duct after the air filter. Its VERY DELICATE!!! DO NOT TOUCH THE WIRES in the sensor. Spray the sense wires with MAF cleaner. I use brake parts cleaner in a pinch. Let it evaporate dry and reinstall.
Clean the Throttle blade at the same time.
BC
Its in the air duct after the air filter. Its VERY DELICATE!!! DO NOT TOUCH THE WIRES in the sensor. Spray the sense wires with MAF cleaner. I use brake parts cleaner in a pinch. Let it evaporate dry and reinstall.
Clean the Throttle blade at the same time.
BC
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Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 60
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From: Miami FL
At 10:18-10:20 on the first link the guy says, "now there is more octane in fuel, than there ever has been"
From what I understand, no there is not!
Also one customer said how he could normally tell how his car ran better after a oil change, then it REALLY ran better with this service.
Um, cars don't run better after a oil change, he just thinks it does.
To be fair, I skimmed through the video, and also the one with the English guy.
It seems they are inventing a solution to a problem, that is not really a problem, on a good running car.
If these engines can run for 200,000-350,000 miles, without rebuild if you do normal oil change, run the correct octane, replace air filter when needed.
If you do this, it would be fun if you could take pictures with a scope of the tops of pistons though the spark plug holes before, then after.
You know, water cleans very well, my brother's car blew a head gasket and I fixed the car, it was a 4 cylinder, 2 pistons were spotless, the others were pretty dirty with carbon.
The steam from the blown head gasket really cleaned good, it was driven for a very short time like that.
From what I understand, no there is not!
Also one customer said how he could normally tell how his car ran better after a oil change, then it REALLY ran better with this service.
Um, cars don't run better after a oil change, he just thinks it does.
To be fair, I skimmed through the video, and also the one with the English guy.
It seems they are inventing a solution to a problem, that is not really a problem, on a good running car.
If these engines can run for 200,000-350,000 miles, without rebuild if you do normal oil change, run the correct octane, replace air filter when needed.
If you do this, it would be fun if you could take pictures with a scope of the tops of pistons though the spark plug holes before, then after.
You know, water cleans very well, my brother's car blew a head gasket and I fixed the car, it was a 4 cylinder, 2 pistons were spotless, the others were pretty dirty with carbon.
The steam from the blown head gasket really cleaned good, it was driven for a very short time like that.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 855
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I located the MAF module, how is the best way to remove and clean it? Do you remove the air duct and disconnect the MAF to remove or can you clean it in place? I see the electrical hookup and I assume you disconnect and remove it somehow. What does the MAF actually do for the car? Thanks for all the help