GDi Servicing: Don't let carbon build-up become a big issue

No new technology is trouble free, and unfortunately GDi is no exception.

Here we take a look at one of the most common service issues – carbon build-up – and how you can help your customers keep it under control.

What is carbon build-up?

In a conventional port fuel or multi-point injection engine, fuel is injected into the intake port of each cylinder just upstream of the intake valve, where it mixes with the incoming air – the fuel mixture is then pulled into the engine cylinder. During this process fuel washes over the intake valves, removing any fuel that has oxidized or dirt from the intake air.

In contrast, GDi injects the fuel at high pressure, directly into the combustion chamber. The finely atomised and precisely directed fuel air mixture improves the quality of combustion, delivering more power and lower emissions. The downside, however is that fuel no longer reaches and cleans the valves, causing a build-up of deposits. 

Types of carbon build-up

Overtime, these deposits will build up on the injectors and valves, causing several issues:

Injectors: Carbon build-up on the tip of the injector can restrict fuel delivery causing the engine to run lean, in other words too much air and not enough fuel. This can cause several issues such as rough idle, misfires, poor fuel economy and increased emissions, as well as a greater risk of detonation and preignition. These deposits typically form in the period immediately after the engine if switched off, meaning that they will build up faster during shorter, more frequent trips.

Intake valves: Overtime, carbon can also build up on the intake valves, stopping them from opening and closing properly. This restricts air flow to the cylinders, reducing engine power and fuel economy. Although intake valve deposits are a normal by-product of combustion, they can build up quicker if the valve guides or seals are worn, or in vehicles with variable valve timing, where the valves are open for longer and are therefore exposed to more carbon particles

Signs of carbon build-up

The build-up of carbon can manifest itself in a number of ways including:

• Loss of power especially when driving at higher speed
• Poor acceleration
• Cold stalling
• Engine misfires
• Reduced fuel efficiency
• Check engine light turned on
• Rough running
• Engine judder at idle speed

How to preventing carbon build-up

Whilst GDi vehicles will require a service, typically between 20 to 40,000 miles, regular maintenance in between will help prevent the accumulation of carbon:

• Change oil according to the manufacturer’s recommended change intervals and using the specified oil for optimal performance of the intake valves.
• Replace spark plugs at the recommended mileage to reduce the amount of unburned fuel in the combustion chamber.
• Use a premium quality fuel with added detergents to help keep engine parts clean from deposits.
• Add a fuel system cleaner to maintain the condition of the GDi system. 

How to diagnosing carbon build-up

Unfortunately, many vehicle owners aren’t aware of the need for regular servicing until it’s too late and their check engine light comes on. In this instance there are some simple procedures you can perform to diagnose carbon build-up:

• Read any fault codes using a diagnostic tool 
• Perform a vacuum test at idle and at 2000 rpm
• Check the engine blow by
• Check the valve timing
• Check compression
• Conduct a cylinder leak test

How to solve carbon build-up

But don’t worry – everything’s not lost if carbon build-up is confirmed. Although there are several products that claim to remove these deposits, the only way to completely eradicate them is to disassemble the components and perform an ultrasonic clean. Using high-frequency sound waves, our range of Hartridge ultrasonic cleaning tanks, deep cleans all surfaces including hard-to-reach crevices, ensuring a more thorough and faster clean than other methods. 

So, as the number of GDi engines on the roads continues to grow, so will the number of service issues related to carbon build-up. By understanding the problems caused by this, and how best to prevent them, garages can offer their customers a full GDi solution throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.