To clean, or not to clean, that is the question...

[ArthurPE]

if you could have the dealer do a manifold off valve cleaning gratis, would you?

my position is clear, I don't think normal deposts cost power/efficiency/etc., or at least measurable
I think if not done correctly, it may cause issues

my car feels fine, pulls 8.5 sec 3k - 8k consistently at 1200' ASL (5% power loss)
gets 24 mpg on the highway and 19-20 overall
uses <1 qt of oil per 10k miles
fires right up, idles smoothly, pulls hard

I'm old skool, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...

thoughts?

[Timster]

But I thought you were working on a "secret carbon removal system" Arthur.
Any progress?

[ArthurPE]

But I thought you were working on a "secret carbon removal system" Arthur.
Any progress?

perhaps that is a good reason to have it removed under warranty to see what 46k valves look like?
if they were clean that would seem to indicate that a cleaning process worked?

[bam_bam]

Getting it cleaned would make you a hypocrite, ne?

[Timster]

But I thought you were working on a "secret carbon removal system" Arthur.
Any progress?

perhaps that is a good reason to have it removed under warranty to see what 46k valves look like?
if they were clean that would seem to indicate that a cleaning process worked?

Huh?
They'd only be clean IF you had used your Secret System (maybe).
So erm... there shouldn't be anything to remove under warranty.

Come on Arthur, how's the development going in the Bat Cave ?

[ArthurPE]

Huh?
They'd only be clean IF you had used your Secret System (maybe).
So erm... there shouldn't be anything to remove under warranty.

Come on Arthur, how's the development going in the Bat Cave ?

that is correct...
there is no way I would let a non-dealer open it up, I'm not risking my warranty (good for 6 years 100k miles)

let's just say they have been cleaning engines internally using steam for many years
run the engine, inject steam into the intake, let it run for a while
some sintered dry ice would accelerate the process
thhis should clean the intake, int valves, piston/cylinder, exh valves
and is harmless, bio-degradable
all you need is a sauna steam generator, easily bought on ebay
as I said, no secret, it's widely used on large stationary engines and large trucks

btw: it can't be patented for a few reasons
it's been common practice
it's a procedure, not really an invention

although there are patents for built in devices that generate steam from exh heat and continuously clean the engine

[richieg888]

Richie here a newbie to forums... I have the same dilema.... I recently purchased a 2006 RS4 (no more warranty). It runs beautifully but I can' help and think if my engine has a bad case carbon of build up. I believe in the saying "if ain't broken don't fix it" but on the flip side I am performance junkie... How would I know if the car is running at 100% because I have never driven another RS4 to compare it too.

So back to the question do I go out of my way to check if the IM needs any preventative cleaning? or do I wait for a check engine light or bad engine performance to arrise....

Cheers!

[Revolution]

Arther, do you think the carbon build up be spotted with and endiscope?

Mine has done 59k but cant resist looking into it but still under warranty until August......there is an itch i need to scratch

[Steve_C]

Richie here a newbie to forums... I have the same dilema.... I recently purchased a 2006 RS4 (no more warranty). It runs beautifully but I can' help and think if my engine has a bad case carbon of build up. I believe in the saying "if ain't broken don't fix it" but on the flip side I am performance junkie... How would I know if the car is running at 100% because I have never driven another RS4 to compare it too.

So back to the question do I go out of my way to check if the IM needs any preventative cleaning? or do I wait for a check engine light or bad engine performance to arrise....

Cheers!

Get it on the MRC rollers - it would give you a good indication of relative performance as plenty of other forum cars have been on there.
Alternatively, you could try Arthur's 3k-8k rpm test which should take ~8.5 sec in 3rd gear, IIRC.

[pad125]

In true engineering form Arthur you have some very interesting and creative methods to do this which I’d like to see the results of but, and it’s a big but, having seen the extent of the build-up on my motor I couldn’t see any alternative to taking the engine out and having the heads off.

Mine dyno’d at 355bhp 2 years ago pre-clean. I had her dyno’d a couple of weeks ago post-clean (and an extra 20k miles) at 405bhp although on the road it would appear to be the same performance as P_G’s car. Make your own mind up!

On a slightly different subject I’d be very interested to know if any of you manage to get any of this work done under warranty……..I didn’t! Audi claim it’s a cleaning issue and they don’t pay for cleaning, end of.

Good luck with your decision Arthur, keep us informed on what you decide.

[sonny]

Arthur If you trust the Audi dealership/techs who is doing the work and you have 100% confidence in them then why not.

[richieg888]

Richie here a newbie to forums... I have the same dilema.... I recently purchased a 2006 RS4 (no more warranty). It runs beautifully but I can' help and think if my engine has a bad case carbon of build up. I believe in the saying "if ain't broken don't fix it" but on the flip side I am performance junkie... How would I know if the car is running at 100% because I have never driven another RS4 to compare it too.

So back to the question do I go out of my way to check if the IM needs any preventative cleaning? or do I wait for a check engine light or bad engine performance to arrise....

Cheers!

Get it on the MRC rollers - it would give you a good indication of relative performance as plenty of other forum cars have been on there.
Alternatively, you could try Arthur's 3k-8k rpm test which should take ~8.5 sec in 3rd gear, IIRC.

Thanks!!!!

I will try Arthur's test. Regarding rollers/dyno what are good or bad numbers to say that the engine is running below
normal. I will keep my fingers crossed

[Steve_C]

Rollers are very subjective of course, but on MRC's I'd say below 380PS and it'd be worth getting cleaned. Mine was 358PS pre-clean which was one of the lowest MRC had seen.

[sonny]

Rollers are very subjective of course,.

...and so is the 3-8k run.

[pad125]

Rollers are very subjective of course,.

...and so is the 3-8k run.

I must admit, I couldn't get lower that 9.5sec before the clean now its 8.5sec but I hear what you say Sonny, still subject to slight of hand