I have a 2010 Ford Ecoboost twin turbo direct injection engine in my Ford Flex. It is a great engine and lots of fun to drive. The issue is that Audi, Porsche, VW and others have massive issues with sludge forming in the intake manifold of their DI (both turbo and non-turbo) engine designs. Some of these engines have an OEM air/oil separator or catch can and the problem persists. The Ecoboost engine is new and not enough is known about it to say if there will be a similar issue of carbon build up on the intake valves and runner. However, Ford did include an OEM water/oil separator on the rear valve cover of the engine between the engine and the throttle body as part of the PCV system. Also BG is running a test on a Ford Taurus SHO with the same engine in the Flex and it appears that Ford is not exempt from the carbon issue (http://www.bgfueltest.com/?page_id=15). This is a major problem in many engines where the build up can occur within a few thousand miles and nobody seems to have the "cure".
Keep in mind, that with direct injection, fuel never flows over the intake valves the way it does in a traditional fuel injection setup. The injector sprays fuel directly into the cylinder in direct injection.
As I've been thinking about this issue, everyone is trying to eliminate the flow of residue into the intake manifold to prevent the onset of the carbon build up. Special engine oils are being developed, catch cans and water/oil separators are being deployed. What I'm wondering is if this is either the completely wrong approach or part of the solution although insufficient. Perhaps, it would it be more sensible to feed the intake manifold with a steady flow of solvents/lubricants to prevent the build-up from occurring in the first place and to dissolve any build up that may have already occurred?
I've read about inverse oilers like the one made by Amcolubes (http://www.ampcolubes.com/index.php?content=products), and was thinking I could splice one of these into my PCV system to meter in some combination of treatments. Could be MMO, Lucas Fuel System Cleaner, Techron, Sea Foam, water, gasoline, or something else . . .
My buddy tells me that adding any kind of oil to the intake or fuel on a DI turbo application is a bad idea since it will drop the octane and could risk damaging the engine (melting pistons, etc.)
So, what does everyone think of this idea? Anyone have experience doing something like this? Success/failures/concerns?
Thanks in advance,
Andrew
Keep in mind, that with direct injection, fuel never flows over the intake valves the way it does in a traditional fuel injection setup. The injector sprays fuel directly into the cylinder in direct injection.
As I've been thinking about this issue, everyone is trying to eliminate the flow of residue into the intake manifold to prevent the onset of the carbon build up. Special engine oils are being developed, catch cans and water/oil separators are being deployed. What I'm wondering is if this is either the completely wrong approach or part of the solution although insufficient. Perhaps, it would it be more sensible to feed the intake manifold with a steady flow of solvents/lubricants to prevent the build-up from occurring in the first place and to dissolve any build up that may have already occurred?
I've read about inverse oilers like the one made by Amcolubes (http://www.ampcolubes.com/index.php?content=products), and was thinking I could splice one of these into my PCV system to meter in some combination of treatments. Could be MMO, Lucas Fuel System Cleaner, Techron, Sea Foam, water, gasoline, or something else . . .
My buddy tells me that adding any kind of oil to the intake or fuel on a DI turbo application is a bad idea since it will drop the octane and could risk damaging the engine (melting pistons, etc.)
So, what does everyone think of this idea? Anyone have experience doing something like this? Success/failures/concerns?
Thanks in advance,
Andrew
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