Carbon buildup at 25k miles - A short story

[grammat95]

Happy Labor day Ladies and Gents,

I've read way too much about intake valve buildup over the last few years and I was curious what my valves look like at 25k. I was able to
get my borescope into the intake manifold and get a picture of one of the valves. IMO it looks pretty good. I don't really see any point in wasting money or time on any extra preventative measures at this point. See below for my driving habits/maintenance.

I will try to get a picture of the same valve every 25k miles...

Maintenance / Habits
- Full synthetic 5W-30 (Valvoline) from the first oil change. No more than 5k intervals.
- Lots of towing (often times at max cap.), I would guestimate around 10k miles
- Most trips are at least 20 minutes
- I have not noticed any fuel dilution issues with oil

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[Peter949]

Quality post and informative. No need for walnuts at 25k with regular maintence. Maybe do 100k?

Edit: I hope you updates at 50, 75, 100k.

 

[Blmpkn]

With the amount of buildup on the stem, no way would 100k be ideal lol. Even by the time 50k rolls around there is going to be a meaningful amount of restriction there.

 

[Msfitoy]

Happy Labor day Ladies and Gents,

I've read way too much about intake valve buildup over the last few years and I was curious what my valves look like at 25k. I was able to
get my borescope into the intake manifold and get a picture of one of the valves. IMO it looks pretty good. I don't really see any point in wasting money or time on any extra preventative measures at this point. See below for my driving habits/maintenance.

I will try to get a picture of the same valve every 25k miles...

Maintenance / Habits
- Full synthetic 5W-30 (Valvoline) from the first oil change. No more than 5k intervals.
- Lots of towing (often times at max cap.), I would guestimate around 10k miles
- Most trips are at least 20 minutes
- I have not noticed any fuel dilution issues with oil

Which path did you snake the bore scope in order to see this? I have one laying around...

 

[egilbe]

With the amount of buildup on the stem, no way would 100k be ideal lol. Even by the time 50k rolls around there is going to be a meaningful amount of restriction there.

I thought the valve stem looked pretty crusty, too. backside of the valve looks good, however.

 

[a1z2s3x4]

Happy Labor day Ladies and Gents,

I've read way too much about intake valve buildup over the last few years and I was curious what my valves look like at 25k. I was able to
get my borescope into the intake manifold and get a picture of one of the valves. IMO it looks pretty good. I don't really see any point in wasting money or time on any extra preventative measures at this point. See below for my driving habits/maintenance.

I will try to get a picture of the same valve every 25k miles...

Maintenance / Habits
- Full synthetic 5W-30 (Valvoline) from the first oil change. No more than 5k intervals.
- Lots of towing (often times at max cap.), I would guestimate around 10k miles
- Most trips are at least 20 minutes
- I have not noticed any fuel dilution issues with oil

Can you let us know if you have a catch can in service? If so, which make/model, and for how long?
Thanks,
Chris

 

[grammat95]

With the amount of buildup on the stem, no way would 100k be ideal lol. Even by the time 50k rolls around there is going to be a meaningful amount of restriction there.

I'm going to be checking every 25k for that reason exactly. No point in guessing.

 

[grammat95]

Can you let us know if you have a catch can in service? If so, which make/model, and for how long?
Thanks,
Chris

No catch can in service chris!

 

[grammat95]

Which path did you snake the bore scope in order to see this? I have one laying around...

There's a sensor right below the #3 cylinder intake runner (if that's the right term).
One screw and you're in business. Getting the borescope to hook upwards and then back down is a treat. Good luck!

 

[Msfitoy]

There's a sensor right below the #3 cylinder intake runner (if that's the right term).
One screw and you're in business. Getting the borescope to hook upwards and then back down is a treat. Good luck!

If you have time, can you take a pic from outside engine to narrow my search?

 

[grammat95]

If you have time, can you take a pic from outside engine to narrow my search?

Yes, currently manning the grill but I'll get to it soon.

 

[Msfitoy]

Yes, currently manning the grill but I'll get to it soon.

Medium rare please...?

 

[got3fords]

been thinking about getting a borescope. Have need on my Harley. What model do you have? is it fuel, chemical immersion proof?

 

[grammat95]

Medium rare please...?

I believe the fastener is a T30.

 

[FatalException0E]

When I saw the thread title I was worried! Thanks for putting some minds at ease.

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