Has Ford Released A Cleaning Method For Ecoboost Intake Valves

Posted past Marker Williams | December 13, 2014

By Tim Esterdahl

A warning for Ford EcoBoost owners: Put downwards the induction service cleaner; you might harm the engine if yous spray the carbon buildup reducer into your intake.

A Ford service technician posted two videos earlier this year addressing the issue. Essentially he discovered that crumbling EcoBoost engines are experiencing misfires caused past carbon buildup on the intake valves. When he called Ford for a prepare, he was told that Ford is recommending irresolute the cylinder heads because forced-induction service (sometimes achieved by spraying a special cleaning fluid into the intake) will ruin the turbos.

Mike Levine, Ford's truck communications manager, concurs. He said a forced-induction service is "not function of the official maintenance guidelines for EcoBoost engines."

How Does Carbon Buildup Happen?

Over time, direct-injection engines similar the EcoBoost can run extraordinarily rich at startup, especially in cold weather condition. Combine this richness with a truck making a short commute — meaning the engine doesn't reach its optimal temperature — and carbon deposits begin to attach themselves to the cylinders, including valves and heads. Eventually these carbon buildups rob the engine of performance and fuel economy.

For naturally aspirated engines, carbon deposits tin can be prevented past post-obit the manufacturer's recommended service interval for air filters and spark plugs, and doing periodic injector clearings.

If these don't foreclose the carbon buildup, or if you actually want to clean your engine, a forced-induction service is commonly the way to go — unless you have a Ford EcoBoost engine.

What Is Forced-Consecration Service?

Forced-induction service involves spraying chemicals into the engine to clean it out. There are pros and cons to using these chemicals. Benefits may include a smoother idle, ameliorate fuel economic system and more than power (although these improvements could besides be due to regular maintenance of fuel filters and spark plugs). The downside to using them includes harming the engine through improper employ, and the facts that amateurs should not use them and automakers don't recommend them. If used incorrectly, these chemicals crusade problems like catalytic converter failure, carbon dioxide sensor failure, damaged actuators inside the air-intake manifold and other issues.

Other solutions used by dealers and mechanics include things such every bit TerraClean. This is a decarbonizing machine that connects to the fuel organization and sprays a chemical mixture that decarbonizes the engine. It is used in many automotive shops.

Why Don't They Work for Ford's EcoBoost Engine?

We talked with an automotive good who confirmed what the video explains: Forced-induction chemicals cause a reaction that increases the temperature around the turbochargers leading to premature failure. A unmarried turbo tin can cost thousands to replace.

The reality is that while the new EcoBoost is an impressive engine, carbon buildup will happen and for now, the only fix seems to be replacing the cylinder heads.

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