Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves

[cryptolime]

Anyone have carbon buildup on their intake valves? I read some posts from people claiming that you need to do GDI service on these cars on a regular basis to prevent it.

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[jcb]

None. Apparently the K20C1's don't have much of this....may be engineering (mist of fuel, etc.). I am speaking of the K20C1 (type R)..but this thread suggests the 1.5 you have is also in good shape: .

 

[marcusm86]

Ive gotten mixed info on this. I would assume that these have the same issues as all direct injection motors and here is someone who has seen it -

https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/carbon-buildup-on-valves.89524/

 

[TypeRD]

Ive gotten mixed info on this. I would assume that these have the same issues as all direct injection motors and here is someone who has seen it -

https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/carbon-buildup-on-valves.89524/

I’m pretty positive it still happens, but not quickly/severely…which is why we don’t see widespread reports of people with 8-9 year old FK8s with carbon buildup issues. Might the intake valves need a walnut blast at some point? Probably eventually, but it’s not worth worrying about. Monitor your driving habits and keep up with maintenance accordingly and you should be good to go for a long time.

 

[jcb]

PS: From the above thread "Note : Honda engines do cycle in such a way that the intake valves are partially sprayed by fuel to help keep them clean. I saw it in a Honda video awhile back. It can’t prevent buildup like Toyota’s port/DI combo, but it helps. Obviously Toyota’s system has patents all over it or other companies would copy it. Still…given how long Honda has been building DI engines, we would’ve DEFINITELY read about widespread carbon buildup issues by now, but that’s simply not the case."

 

[AZCWTypeR]

I added a Mishimoto PCV catch can and it captures a few ounces of oil between oil changes. Reasonably priced insurance and easier than cleaning intake valves on CTR's.

 

[TypeRD]

PS: From the above thread "Note : Honda engines do cycle in such a way that the intake valves are partially sprayed by fuel to help keep them clean. I saw it in a Honda video awhile back. It can’t prevent buildup like Toyota’s port/DI combo, but it helps. Obviously Toyota’s system has patents all over it or other companies would copy it. Still…given how long Honda has been building DI engines, we would’ve DEFINITELY read about widespread carbon buildup issues by now, but that’s simply not the case."

I think I originally wrote that in another thread.

 

[jcb]

Yes, you did - just checked.

 

[marcusm86]

I’m pretty positive it still happens, but not quickly/severely…which is why we don’t see widespread reports of people with 8-9 year old FK8s with carbon buildup issues. Might the intake valves need a walnut blast at some point? Probably eventually, but it’s not worth worrying about. Monitor your driving habits and keep up with maintenance accordingly and you should be good to go for a long time.

yep.. just came in to make sure that it wasnt a full thread of people spouting that there is no carbon buildup bc gemini said so.

 

[cryptolime]

would be cool to see some high mileage pics of intake valves

 

[marcusm86]

would be cool to see some high mileage pics of intake valves

almost like someone posted a link with one .. im sure you could find more if you looked

 

[cryptolime]

almost like someone posted a link with one .. im sure you could find more if you looked

that's one pic from a type r. need a bigger sample size.

Have only seen a couple pics of the L15 intake valves. they looked pretty clean for a GDI.

 

[TypeRD]

@PointByPatrol ‘s first FL5 was showing carbon some buildup iirc (took pics taken with a scope). He tracked that car hard and tracks his current FL5 hard. I’m pretty sure he has a catch can among other upgrades. His current engine is built by 4 Piston Racing (again iirc), unless he changed something. Anyway, maybe he’ll chime in here. I thought his use case (with his first car) was informative. I bet if you went to an FK8 forum you’d find some relevant info there also.

 

[PointByPatrol]

@PointByPatrol ‘s first FL5 was showing carbon some buildup iirc (took pics taken with a scope). He tracked that car hard and tracks his current FL5 hard. I’m pretty sure he has a catch can among other upgrades. His current engine is built by 4 Piston Racing (again iirc), unless he changed something. Anyway, maybe he’ll chime in here. I thought his use case (with his first car) was informative. I bet if you went to an FK8 forum you’d find some relevant info there also.

Carbon buildup is a typical problem on direct injection engines unfortunately, but it's most rampant if the car is driven mildly. You need to get the oil hot enough to burn the fuel out of the oil, and your oil changes should be more frequent than the manufacturer suggests. If you are anal about maintenance, and willing to take the car out for a hard push here and there, then you are ultimately minimizing some of these issues. The factory PCV system is quite good and if you aren't experiencing a buildup of oil in the intake tract, then you are in good shape. My 4piston engine is not great about blowby and Ive been taking measures to address this issue. Call me nuts, but I tend to change my oil every 1500-2000 miles. 0w20 is another issue. I don't give a damn about the microscopic loss in fuel economy by running a thicker oil. 5w30 for the win.

 

[TypeRD]

Carbon buildup is a typical problem on direct injection engines unfortunately, but it's most rampant if the car is driven mildly. You need to get the oil hot enough to burn the fuel out of the oil, and your oil changes should be more frequent than the manufacturer suggests. If you are anal about maintenance, and willing to take the car out for a hard push here and there, then you are ultimately minimizing some of these issues. The factory PCV system is quite good and if you aren't experiencing a buildup of oil in the intake tract, then you are in good shape. My 4piston engine is not great about blowby and Ive been taking measures to address this issue. Call me nuts, but I tend to change my oil every 1500-2000 miles. 0w20 is another issue. I don't give a damn about the microscopic loss in fuel economy by running a thicker oil. 5w30 for the win.

Appreciate you, man. Thanks for this.

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