Ford EcoBoost Carbon Buildup Issue Solved Via Walnut Blasting

[dondonbabyraptor]

Ah, a man of similar driving style. I have my boring city 15 minute job commute and then times I like to have fun with it the on ramp on to the freeway or just some zips. I was just curious. Thanks, glad you enjoy your truck.

The scenarios you mentioned is exactly where I am having most of the fun Appreciate the questions and kind words!

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[Rp930]

OEM synthetic oil done at dealership every 5k miles, 91 octane, with maybe 3-6 months total of using a e20-e30 mix out of 2 and a half years ish now, few times a year I go ride hard in the desert(dusty area, usually following a lead), I WOT 30-50% of the time when I can on normal driving, no towing. Mostly 15 minutes or more highway driving, maybe 20-30% of the time short trips to the store 5 mins away.

FP Tune.

Thanks for the questions, hope this helps Rick!

One last question. Did you use the K&N that came with the tune?

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

One last question. Did you use the K&N that came with the tune?

Negative, used the Roush CAI since 1k miles on the truck.

 

[Rp930]

Negative, used the Roush CAI since 1k miles on the truck.

Thanks for the info. It’s an interesting issue.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Thanks for the info. It’s an interesting issue.

No problem at all. To be clear, there was no issue. And others probably wouldn't have a true issue even up to 150k miles. But maybe losing a little performance and thats about it. I wouldn't call it an issue until an intake valve stays close/open and there's a misfire of the sorts.

 

[Dereku]

I prefer the polish tune up, but you typically have to replace the engine afterwards. Runs like new then.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Did some testing, performance feels like new again. To be perfectly honest my truck was feeling slower now that I’ve been beating on it for 2+ years. It’s partially why I plunged deep into a walnut blast. So here’s my observations after a few blasts through places. Also got a transmission change so that probably affects my view of things too.

Got to WOT from 60-100 and I noticed it was louder than I’ve heard it for a long time. I thought I was just getting used to the noise. Letting off the gas and jumping back on it quickly seems to have a good feeling surge now. Every area in my daily drive I usually jump on the pedal to hear my exhaust is now louder. I honestly think I’m getting more air flow now. I’m aware of placebo and confirmation bias but hopefully being aware of that mitigates some of that risk. Call me a butt Dino believer but I will be doing this every 30k miles ? ?

 

[JeffWoodall]

The below video is great at explaining the long term issues of carbon buildup on our engines. I know there are other videos with Fordtechmakuloco talking about this same subject matter, but I haven't saw this one and basically, you can't argue with this as the evidence is right in front of you.

Yeah, some variables will change how our engines look at 100K miles (whether the particular gas we use has detergents, whether we use a product like Chevron Techron ..perhaps, and our driving habits). In general though, it looks like it is a high probability that most of us will have to get a walnut blasting service done to correct the carbon buildup. I run 87 octane, but do use Chervron Techron as this guy recommends. I do a lot of city driving as well, so I am probably worse off than several.

This "issue" is making me consider getting something else with dual injection. As far as I know, they don't have a 2.3 with dual injection yet. I really like the Ranger and may just wait until around 100K miles and pay $4-500 for a walnut blasting and be done with it, still debating this. I am getting a 125K mile warranty, and not sure if this would be covered under that, but plan on looking at the different warranty plans.

Also, wondering if using premium gas (91 or 93 octane) will make a difference in the time frame that this apparent valve coking is going to occur. This guy knows his stuff and I tend to listen to him. I'm not sure what he means by Ecoboost needing timing jobs at around 100K miles, as we have timing chains and I wasn't aware that was an issue with Ecoboost engines or at least our 2.3s. He does recommend using Chevron Techron to slow the natural process down.

 

[Vitis805]

The below video is great at explaining the long term issues of carbon buildup on our engines....

You didn't even bother to read the thread.

 

[dtech]

Those pics of intake valves coated with crud to me are FUD and like chicken little saying the sky is falling or the banned dancing banana man saying his damper is stuck in the erect position over 4 hrs and won't retract. Until I detect indications that the buildup is actually noticeably impacting engine operation - mpgs, rough idle , etc it's not something that bothers me in the least.

 

[JeffWoodall]

Those pics of intake valves coated with crud to me are FUD and like chicken little saying the sky is falling or the banned dancing banana man saying his damper is stuck in the erect position over 4 hrs and won't retract. Until I detect indications that the buildup is actually noticeably impacting engine operation - mpgs, rough idle , etc it's not something that bothers me in the least.

OK...awesome for you. I get that, it won't do any good to worry about it anyway, I mean, I'm not even stressing. Personally, I have had bad experiences with Ecoboost (in my F-150) and if I can do something to slow down this alleged issue, I will.

 

[dtech]

OK...awesome for you.

Now if my fav youtube dudes , those masters of all things automotive, the TFL gents, say it's bad for my engine then I'd know it's really nothing but FUD .

 

[AzScorpion]

OK...awesome for you.

All anyone has to do is look at Brandons @dondonbabyraptor pics of his when he had it done. If I were going to keep my Ranger long term I would be doing this every 40K for so just for piece of mind. It's only going to prevent future problems and more costly expenses down the road. Saying it's not something to worry about is like saying "I'm not going to change my oil because my truck still runs fine".

 

[JeffWoodall]

You didn't even bother to read the thread.

I drive like a lunatic and as I said, most of mine is in the city My MPG is at around 17.2. That's a pretty good app there and yeah, I read the thread.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

The below video is great at explaining the long term issues of carbon buildup on our engines. I know there are other videos with Fordtechmakuloco talking about this same subject matter, but I haven't saw this one and basically, you can't argue with this as the evidence is right in front of you.

Yeah, some variables will change how our engines look at 100K miles (whether the particular gas we use has detergents, whether we use a product like Chevron Techron ..perhaps, and our driving habits). In general though, it looks like it is a high probability that most of us will have to get a walnut blasting service done to correct the carbon buildup. I run 87 octane, but do use Chervron Techron as this guy recommends. I do a lot of city driving as well, so I am probably worse off than several.

This "issue" is making me consider getting something else with dual injection. As far as I know, they don't have a 2.3 with dual injection yet. I really like the Ranger and may just wait until around 100K miles and pay $4-500 for a walnut blasting and be done with it, still debating this. I am getting a 125K mile warranty, and not sure if this would be covered under that, but plan on looking at the different warranty plans.

Also, wondering if using premium gas (91 or 93 octane) will make a difference in the time frame that this apparent valve coking is going to occur. This guy knows his stuff and I tend to listen to him. I'm not sure what he means by Ecoboost needing timing jobs at around 100K miles, as we have timing chains and I wasn't aware that was an issue with Ecoboost engines or at least our 2.3s. He does recommend using Chevron Techron to slow the natural process down.

page 7 I have pictures posted on my own intake valves at 36k miles. I also use only 91 chevron. Granted I had an ethanol mix for 3-6 months but not for the majority of the 2 years+ I have been driving the truck. Truck was feeling sluggish in my usual WOT performance so I figured I would do walnut blast for science and see if theres any benefit. Also had some slight rough startups in the morning with different sounds I was not used to.

Overall, truck is responding better. Engine is roaring with better airflow and WOT feels just that much stronger and the surges feel better. Hit a 5.1 second 0-60 again after its been around 5.3+. Brake boosting I lose grip harder than before and I have better tires now too. This all from my butt dino tho still gonna do it every 30-40k miles though.

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