Gas additives

Discussion in 'MINI' started by pre shrunk, Mar 3, 2011.

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  1. pre shrunk

    pre shrunk New Member

    Dec 12, 2010
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    E. Tn., very near "the snake".
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  2. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    Jan 5, 2010
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    :cornut: Some other people will come up with suggestions but, most people around here use Seafome or plain water with the engine running and through the air intake hose at the port for the PCV hose. Thick clouds of white to black smoke exit the exhaust a viola, carbon build up gone. Check our Library for instructions.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  3. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    May 22, 2010
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    Seafoam +1 :Thumbsup:
     
  4. ronnie948

    ronnie948 New Member

    Sep 9, 2009
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    Techron used here.

    I just put in some "TECHRON" about every 5,000 miles. I have 19,000 trouble free miles right now.
     
  5. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Oct 23, 2010
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    It sound like snake oil to me, I wouldn't wast my money on it.

    The reason you had carbon build up is that your MINI has a direct injection engine, carbon build up is a problem on all direct injection, spark ignition, engines. Because the gasoline is injected directly into the cylinder, there isn't any fuel mist to wash the oil from the Positive Crankcase Ventilation system off of the backs of the intake valves. This oil gets cooked onto the intake valves and slowly builds up until it causes run-ability problems and must be mechanically removed.

    Seafoam treatment, sprayed directly into the intake manifold, will help, if you start with clean valves, and treat it regularly. It'll remove small amounts of cooked on carbon, but if you already have a large build up, it isn't effective.

    The one preventative measure that will work, is the installation of an Oil Catch Can. An OCC will collect the oil and water vapor drawn out of the crank case by the PCV system and prevent the oil from getting to your intake valves.

    You must remember to empty your Oil Catch Can periodically, or it will over flow and slug the engine with an emulsified mix of oil and water, this can do significant damage. So check it weekly, especially when the weather is cold.

    Dave
     
  6. Person Moved On

    Person Moved On New Member
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    Oct 31, 2010
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    So this brings up two questions

    1) Is it a given then that you'll have carbon build up?

    2) how hard is installing the catch can and why didn't MINI install one?

    (I know that was 3)
     
  7. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

    May 8, 2009
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    1) yes

    2) don't have one installed, keep up with the seafoam

    3) for all the reasons MINI avoids doing the right thing, $
    At the same time I gotta say that if they put in a component that actually needs pretty close management you know someone is not gonna check the OCC and try to have MINI pay for the repairs
     
  8. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

    Jun 14, 2009
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    MINI would rather charge $700 every few years to clean your valves. I think Tim's completely right though, if OCCs came standard and the typical driver had to check it every couple of weeks, the majority never would. Most people have enough trouble remembering when to change their oil. In addition having a component that needs bi-weekly attention would A) scare off some potential owners and B) be a source of ridicule in the automotive industry, that in this day an age a new vehicle would need so much attention
     
  9. CheckersSD

    CheckersSD New Member

    Mar 3, 2011
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    Jason,
    where is the instruction located in the library. I looked and was unable to find it.
     
  10. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Sep 29, 2009
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    Try here....
    [ame="http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15224"]How-To Seafoam Treatment R55/R56 - Motoring Alliance :: MINI Cooper Forums[/ame]
     
  11. jcauseyfd

    jcauseyfd New Member

    May 25, 2009
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    Because the effectiveness of an OCC is not as clear cut as the posters here indicate.
     
  12. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    Dec 22, 2009
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    Zactly....

    Nor is it a given that every car will have carbon buildup on their valves....

    It's possible, but not conclusive. My '09 Clubman S has 30K on it, no evidence of carbon fouling in my engine yet....

    Those who are championing Seafoam treatments are doing that company a wonderful service in promoting their product, and if they believe it works for them, well more power to 'em.

    I remain unconvinced....

    However, I do know that there are cars who have and are suffering from carbon buildup, I would like to know the real reason - whether it is truly from oil vapor, or driving habits, poor tolerances in the engine, lousy gasoline, ethanol, infrequent or too frequent oil changes or just what the heck is going on here....
     
  13. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

    May 9, 2009
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    Virtually every MINI has some form of carbon on there valves,piston domes and combustion chambers. The only exception may be those running water injection post IC or alternative clean burning fuels.
    A simple and inexpensive tool to confirm any carbon question.



    Search results for: 'borescope'
    [​IMG]
     
  14. LASRGUY

    LASRGUY New Member

    Nov 16, 2010
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    Finding a location to mount the OCC is not always easy. I had to get a bit creative to find a solution to work with my intake. I posted details on my install here:
    MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - BSH OCC install with DDMworks Race Intake

    Installation of a water/methanol injection system is also cited as a great way to keep the intake valves clean. Methanol is a pretty decent solvent. This would require some extra effort maintaining a methanol supply for filling the WMI tank. At least one WMI system supplier advocates simply using -20F windshield washer fluid which is 35% methanol but I'm no expert on this. The cost for these systems isn't any more than the $700 someone mentioned for a carbon deposit cleaning at the dealer.
     
  15. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

    Oct 14, 2010
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    My mechanic swears by 44 K at every oil change, and it doesn't make scary smoke come boiling out of you car. Just my .02
     
  16. countryboyshane

    countryboyshane New Member

    Jul 23, 2009
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    The real trick with BG 44K is trying to find it anywhere near me.

    I've also stuck with Seafoamin' the R56 S at every oil change.
     
  17. CheckersSD

    CheckersSD New Member

    Mar 3, 2011
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    #17 CheckersSD, Mar 6, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2011
  18. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

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    Nope, do it before! You want as much performance as you can get.
     
  19. CheckersSD

    CheckersSD New Member

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  20. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    Sep 18, 2010
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    I agree with the suggestion to add a bottle of Techron to your fuel every couple of tanks, or use Chevron gasoline with the additive already in their mixture (my personal choice for years). Having owned a BMW of some sorts for over 30 years my good buddy, a 30+ year veteran mechanic at the local BMW dealership, dropped the Techron idea to me years ago. Also, the suggestion of the OCC is valid as well... Checking it may not need to occur every two weeks as was suggested earlier. Every car will be different... Once you get a feel for your car's internal performance habits, checking the can will become only as frequent as need be. I check mine once a month or greater and find very little residue in the can and even less reason to fret over the routine inspection.

    Here's a couple pics of my install on my R53. :beer
     

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