Engine carbon clean service ? Worth a pony ?

[M1ghty_m0use]

Seeing a lot these engine carbon clean businesses poping up , with positive reviews , is it worth it for the zed

Company claims are

Effects are immediate
Revitalises entire inlet system, cylinder head, exhaust manifold
Smoother, more powerful delivery of performance
Lower emissions and quieter engine
Less vibrations
Restored horse power
Potential fuel saving
Enhanced driving experience
Smoother engine
Restored torque
Approx. 30 mins for each clean
Less maintenance required
CE marked product with full insurance
Puts the fun back into driving!

Any opinionsr?

 

[AlanJ]

Snake oil.......

 

[markeg]

I've heard that it all depends on what fuel and/or additives you've been using - if you have used one with cleaners/detergents added then there is little benefit. Having said that, I haven't heard any negatives (yet) and if the price comes down a bit I might be tempted for the diesels - I've recently had to clean the EGR on the Saab (twice) which is on 130k+ miles.

But for #108, I've always used v-power exclusively, so I'm not currently convinced it would be beneficial...

 

[Steve84N]

My understanding is you only really need it on direct injection engines as the fuel doesn't wash the valves. I always run V Power which is all I believe it needs to stay tip top. The Z4 is not direct injection.

 

[Ewazix]

I don't fully understand why but it also depends on the engine as to how much carbon and plaque actually builds up, my previous gen Cooper S was notorious for proper old-style carbon in the head causing pre-ignition and rough running for example, but not really heard of it on the BMW 6's?

.... and would terraclean affect the EGR valve anyway?

Whilst I can't see it doing any harm I'de be surprised if there is any benefit over good fuel and an occasional 'Italian tune up' TBH as most problems are caused by pottering around like my dad.

 

[markeg]

.... and would terraclean affect the EGR valve anyway?

It is part of the cleaning options they offer, link here

Whilst I can't see it doing any harm I'de be surprised if there is any benefit over good fuel and an occasional 'Italian tune up' TBH as most problems are caused by pottering around like my dad.

I agree - the Saab I mention is a local drive mainly, so lots of short journeys. It benefits from using higher octane fuel (or an additive) and a good run out every now and again - if terraclean was a cheaper option i might be tempted to give it a go.

 

[dhobbs]

Sounds like this is a concentrated fuel cleaner, so as mentioned earlier if you already use decent fuel/ fuel cleaner then this would be a waste of money.

Does the z4 have a EGR valve?

 

[Ewazix]

Sounds like this is a concentrated fuel cleaner, so as mentioned earlier if you already use decent fuel/ fuel cleaner then this would be a waste of money.

Does the z4 have a EGR valve?

Happy to be shot down but I don't think the six pots have an EGR as such, but the exhaust gas emissions are managed by the intake DME/Vanos?

EGR's generally fail on Diesels because they produce sooty particles which gum-up if the engine isn't used enough on longer journeys to burn it off. The EGR on my old C-Max cost an arm and I know so many people that have had the same on diesels that I've now moved away from the devils fuel on all my cars.

 

[dhobbs]

My last 3 cars were diesel, never again due to EGRs, inlet swirl valves and DPFs.
Back to petrol now and hooked!

 

[markeg]

EGR's generally fail on Diesels because they produce sooty particles which gum-up if the engine isn't used enough on longer journeys to burn it off. ..

This is the problem on my Saab - however its a fairly easy job on that engine to strip the EGR off and clean it up with a dremel. Replacement is a last resort as it is expensive!

 

[mr wilks]

Some may say smoke & mirrors but a recent high mile 3.0Si Z i bought had a similar to Terraclean engine flush at £140 done approx 1000miles before i bought it .
Obvioulsy i can't compare before & after but i can say it felt & sounded brand new :? zero smoke at any time in the rev range , cracked up really sharp , ticked over whisper quiet & pulled very wellafter its 95k miles
I can't see them doing any harm if you are happy to pay the ££

 

[mr wilks]

EGR's generally fail on Diesels because they produce sooty particles which gum-up if the engine isn't used enough on longer journeys to burn it off. ..

This is the problem on my Saab - however its a fairly easy job on that engine to strip the EGR off and clean it up with a dremel. Replacement is a last resort as it is expensive!

Why not have it deleted / remapped if the car is staying ?

 

[markeg]

EGR's generally fail on Diesels because they produce sooty particles which gum-up if the engine isn't used enough on longer journeys to burn it off. ..

This is the problem on my Saab - however its a fairly easy job on that engine to strip the EGR off and clean it up with a dremel. Replacement is a last resort as it is expensive!

Why not have it deleted / remapped if the car is staying ?

Haven't seen an alternative, Andy - its a pretty chunky chamber?

 

[Ewazix]

EGR's generally fail on Diesels because they produce sooty particles which gum-up if the engine isn't used enough on longer journeys to burn it off. ..

This is the problem on my Saab - however its a fairly easy job on that engine to strip the EGR off and clean it up with a dremel. Replacement is a last resort as it is expensive!

Why not have it deleted / remapped if the car is staying ?

I looked at EGR delete a couple of years ago but 'they' were threatening to make it a MOT fail so I didn't go for it. But as far as I know that hasn't happened (yet) so may be worth doing, if it becomes a problem in the future it's just a case of taking off the blanking plate and re-installing an EGR I suppose?

 

[Steve84N]

felt & sounded brand new :? zero smoke at any time in the rev range , cracked up really sharp , ticked over whisper quiet & pulled very wellafter its 95k miles

They all do this sir.

 

[mr wilks]

felt & sounded brand new :? zero smoke at any time in the rev range , cracked up really sharp , ticked over whisper quiet & pulled very wellafter its 95k miles

They all do this sir.

Ive had around 20 BMWs & most times you can tell the ones that are "sweet" just by starting them up on the drive & listening :wink: may have just been a well looked after 95k or may have benefitted from the engine clean ?
I'm not saying yea or nea but i can't see them doing any harm on the higher milers especially if they've had a mix of owners + oils in

 

[markeg]

I looked at EGR delete a couple of years ago but 'they' were threatening to make it a MOT fail so I didn't go for it. But as far as I know that hasn't happened (yet) so may be worth doing, if it becomes a problem in the future it's just a case of taking off the blanking plate and re-installing an EGR I suppose?

Interesting - I may look into this the next time the EGR plays up....

 

[cossie si]

Have had my 944S2 Terracleaned. Definitely made a difference. Pulled far better and idled better too. Did a trip around Europe, about 900 miles in total and averaged 30Mpg . Not bad for a 150,000 mile old 3.0 four pot. Am thinking of having the wife's 3.2TT Carbon cleaned to try and cure a lumpy idle. My mate took the inlet manifold off one recently. Said he was gobsmacked at the carbon on the back of the inlet valves. Common on direct injection. So can I clarify that the Z4 Coupe, later engine, is non direct injection. If so I'll have it Terracleaned, I know someone who does it and can get it cheap. Mines got 87 thou on, so I'll probably see a difference!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I had the manifold off for a CCV replacement. Apart from the oil there was no residue/carbon anywhere on the inlet side. Cylinders looked pretty clean too.

 

[dhobbs]

My old vauxhall, which shared the engine with saab and fiat, I fitted a semi blanking plate for the egr. Enough flow to satisfy the sensors, made a big difference to low down pulling power.
Still a crap car though.