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Ok, hopefully this should be interesting. I'm going to do a bit of a trial of the TerraClean carbon cleaning system today on my RS4. I'll be updating this post throughout the day with results and photos.

I'm not really pretending that this is going to be a scientific experiment, but I'm going to do my best to get an accurate idea as possible as to the effectiveness of the TerraClean system on our engines. I am pretty skeptical that this will make a dramatic difference tbh not least after speaking to one of the main engineers in the UK! It seems, so far, that any time you ask TerraClean for some evidence of the results that have been achieved - they simply refer to it's scientific heritage (something about Canada) or refer to anecdotal evidence about how happy customers are.

TerraClean makes some pretty bold claims, but I'm yet to see any real evidence that it will make any difference to our V8s since there seems to be some consensus that the carbon buildup on the intake ports is due to the valve overlap designed for EGR, rather than being due to oil vapour/PCV (the empty catch cans that several owners have, being a strong indication).

This is my plan:

1) Check oil/water/fuel level
2) Get car warmed up to operating temperatures
3) RSTuning, Leeds (9.30am):
- Borescope "before" inspection (photos)
- First dyno run
- Check & record results

4) TerraClean agent, Leeds:
- Emissions "before" test
- Terraclean (2 hours?)
- Emissions "after" test

5) RSTuning, Leeds:
- Borescope "after" inspection (photos)
- Second dyno run
- Check/record results

Let's see what happens

Interesting; look forward to the results.

Im also pretty sceptical of the Terraclean system making a difference but I think its great that you are making the effort to settle it once and for all Tony.

Very interested to see your resluts

Brooner wrote:Very interested to see your resluts

I know he's from Leeds, but there is no need for that.

Will be keeping an eye on this

Good effort. Will be interesting to see the results.

Hats off to you Tony for doing this properly, I too am sceptical about the claims …. but I would be delighted to be proved wrong.

Jonah wrote:

Brooner wrote:Very interested to see your resluts

I know he's from Leeds, but there is no need for that.

long day 2 hrs sleep in 40

Interesting.

I applaud the methodology, very clean. No real cause to argue whatever the results are.

I was tempted by them after watching this on TV - I contacted them through FB and also expressed my concerns over the effectiveness with the FSI engine. They claimed it would work here's some of the feedback I received....

"I have had a response from one of our technical guys re your engine. We are aware that the FSI engine is particularly prone to carbon build up. We have done 2 vehicles with this engine for the very well respected Frank and David Massey (well known technical trainers with in the automotive industry). In both cases the results were fantastic and this prompted them to invest in the technology for their own buisiness Automotive Diagnostic Solutions in Preston. I am reliably informed that TerraClean does reach the areas of this particular engine most prone to build up."


We will see....... well done Tony

Gavla wrote:David Massey (well known technical trainers with in the automotive industry).

I think I know David Massey - IIRC correctly he is a technical author and for example wrote all the workshop manuals for Lotus cars.
(might be different bod though)

Jonah wrote:

Brooner wrote:Very interested to see your resluts

I know he's from Leeds, but there is no need for that.

Good one!

Looking forward to see the outcome.

Come on Tony, havent you got first dyno run yet?

Ok, first dyno test done. First blow to my plan too, the tuning guys were convinced there was no point trying to bore scope through plug socket as we wouldn't be able to get a view of the back of the valves :/

Will post initial dyno results shortly.

Tony, show them this post and it is apparent that it will be useful:

don wrote:

adsgreen wrote:This is a great example of what I mean.
http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... th#p546640

Hell of a lot cheaper than manifold off and would give a good benchmark.

Wow that is an amazing effect! The first I have heard of it but a simple solution of injecting a water/methanol mix in the intake. I thought that was just something that people used for hooning or at the drag races. Alcohol and water are really good solvents so no reason why it wouldn't work and looks like it does. Though some (Audi) may not like the idea of injecting methanol and water into the engine so warranties may be concern though as I understand it if done properly there is no harm to the engine. It's also not quite clear what ratio of water to methanol he used but for cleaning purposes it presumably does not have to be as high as the 50:50 mix at the races.

before:


after: