[SilverStar]

Cleaning Intake Valve Deposits on Ecoboost- What's required?

Worst case scenario for cleaning carbon deposits on intake valves of EB? How difficult is it to access the backside of valves? Anybody price it out at Ford? I spoke with one tech who said there is no service offered and started extrapolating with engine removal at $3k. :| Well how much is a new engine? $9k intalled.
...choosing between boost or not. Sold on the power, and on dusting sedans. Planning on using catch can. Thanks.

 

[Budsky]

Removing the valve covers will not get you access to the intake valves....

 

[klp]

I could be wrong but the issue lies for the most part in the intake tracts, just upstream of the valves. So you would need to remove the intake plenum to clean it. Picture the entire middle of your v6. If you need valve access you are removing the heads.

Neither one of these is a simple task and I think engine removal is probably a good start to either.

 

[sschefer]

How bad is it. Is it still driveable. Ford won't touch it? Not under warranty. If any of that's true, fill the tank and dump 2 cans of Sea Foam into it. Run it until it's warmed up then shut it down and let it sit overnight.

Start it the next morning and see what you get. It might be a little hard to start and run rough until the carbon clears out. I've done it twice to my F150 and haven't had any problems but that doesn't mean you won't so take this advice knowing there are potentially risks such as damaged sensors, etc.

 

[Budsky]

No fuel additive will fix it- the back of the intake valves normally washed with gasoline "mist" are run dry in a DI engine.

Some other manufacturers have placed additional injectors upstream of the valves (like a normal EFI engine) injecting very small amounts of fuel to provide the required "cleaning" under normal use.

 

[Michael Ophus]

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/engine-technical-discussion/2913-ecoboost-warning.html

 

[orton]

Has anyone found a catch can kit designed for the Transit?

 

[sschefer]

No fuel additive will fix it- the back of the intake valves normally washed with gasoline "mist" are run dry in a DI engine.

Some other manufacturers have placed additional injectors upstream of the valves (like a normal EFI engine) injecting very small amounts of fuel to provide the required "cleaning" under normal use.

You're right, I forgot it was DI.

 

[altaboy]

Regarding the addition of "catch can": I've seen some pretty recent/detailed youtube vids for kit addition to other ford vehicles. It is straight forward but involves modifications of various air paths.

Would this addition void any warranty for the motor vehicle?

I can see going in for some unrelated warranty repair, tech looks at motor realizing owner mods, then having warranty cost changed to owner responsibility.

Noting that the powertrain has a 60k warranty, and that deposits start the day one drives off the lot, would this addition after warranty expires really help. And put on prior to warranty expiration is a concern as per above.

What do you all think?

 

[orton]

I think you are correct about the warranty being affected. I just put on a rear anti-roll bar and Ford/dealer said that affected their difficulty getting vehicle alignment correct. The funny thing was they had the van in for alignment before I put on the bar. Needed to use the vehicle over the weekend and installed the bar that weekend. So difficulty aligning the vehicle before bar was installed but the bar was one of the reasons they could not align it. They also stated that my van conversion might be the reason. I guess these vans were not designed to haul cargo?

I do think I would gamble with the catch can if a kit was available.

 

[alarmist]

I wouldn't bother. I think the whole catch can thing is overblown.

 

[SilverStar]

Yes, OCC voids warranty. I just posted a follow up in the thread "Ecoboost Warning" regarding carbon deposit issues, with his (FordTechMakuloco's) Part 2 video, a follow up to the "Ecoboost Warning" Video posted previously.
It's from Jan'15 but I haven't seen it mentioned, worth a look. >>http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/engine-technical-discussion/2913-ecoboost-warning-7.html

Still hoping to hear from someone about exactly what it's going to take to access those valves for manual cleaning.

 

[alarmist]

I thought it was answered. You take the heads off.

 

[SilverStar]

Yes, thanks klp

...the issue lies.. in the intake tracts, just upstream of the valves... remove the intake plenum to clean it...[not] a simple task and I think engine removal is probably a good start...

So probably removing intake plenum (not the heads), which may require engine removal.

I'm hoping maybe someone who's done it on a Transit will reply back to us so we can have a specific idea of what's involved (process & time), or what Ford charged to do it (after out of warranty -cleaning valves not allowed within warranty AFAIK).

I'm sure there are many who are wondering exactly what it is going to require if it comes down to this, as, thus far this seems to be the only potential drawback to the otherwise great EB.

Glad to hear for the majority, it does not seem to be a problem.