Most liked posts in thread: Gas additives

: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.

Jason

 

Seafoam +1

 

Techron used here.

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

 

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

 

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)

 

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

 

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

 

Jason,
where is the instruction located in the library. I looked and was unable to find it.

 

Try here....
[ame="http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15224"]How-To Seafoam Treatment R55/R56 - Motoring Alliance :: MINI Cooper Forums[/ame]

 

Because the effectiveness of an OCC is not as clear cut as the posters here indicate.

 

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....

 

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'

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Thank you Metalman. I purchased the Seafoam and I will do the treatment soon. However I have a quick question. I am getting my car tuned on March 19th, should I wait to do the treatment until after the tune?

 

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

 

thanks!

 

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

 

If you're getting "very little" in your catch can, is it really doing anything for you? Just curious for your thoughts....