The Service Team here at Redline Speed Worx (RSW) is no stranger to intake valve carbon cleaning services on direct injection engines.
We just recently completed a complete crushed walnut shell blasting service on a Audi RS4 with 90,000 miles and no prior valve cleaning services.
The build-up on this Audi RS4 was extensive, robbing the owner of both horsepower & fuel economy.
The excessive carbon build up does cause several different things to occur to your vehicle, all of which do not lead to optimal vehicle performance. Some of the common issues that you may experience are subsequent power loss, cylinder misfires, lower fuel economy, and potentially damage to your vehicles comprehensive emissions system, and/or catalytic converter(s). The above outlined issues normally will not cause a warning light, as the buildup occurs gradually over the life span of the vehicle you may not immediately recognize the decreased power output or worse fuel economy.
Since these engines have been in service for 8+ years now we have encountered quite a large number of vehicles with excessive carbon build up from the 2.0T FSI, 3.2 FSI, 5.2 FSI, and pictured above, V8 FSI. Vehicle mileage does play a factor in the levels of build up that are seen, we now advise our customers to complete this service on any direct injection VW or Audi between 60-80,000 miles, and to think of it as a regular required service just like a timing belt or water pump replacement.
Depending on the vehicle this labor intensive service can be completed over 1-2 working days in the shop. The results can speak for themselves, as when we have finished cleaning the carbon from each individual intake chamber, the cylinder head resembles a like-new finish.
We have experienced great success with cleaning the Intake Valves by removing the Intake Manifold to blast the Carbon deposit build-up away using the factory equipment with the Walnut Shell media. When cleaning is complete, the Intake Manifold is re-installed, the Engine is started and the performance checked.
If you are interested in having this service completed on your Audi RS4 equipped with the V8 FSI Engine please Contact our Service Team today!