Wait a tick - Seafoam is added into the intake track? As opposed to the gas tank like BG-44 or whatever else fuel treatment.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-spray.html

 

I was speaking only in regards to adding it to the gas tank. However, I remain skeptical that even spraying it in that manner would do much, if anything. From what I gather, you have to get in there and give it some elbow grease.

Take a look at these threads:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cleaning.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-seafoam.html

 

Thanks, guys, for all the info regarding the carbon buildup issue!

The only thing that I am unclear about is what the root of the problem is. I know it's kind of common, at least on this forum. I may have missed it and I also don't really want to read through pages and pages of countless carbon threads.

Is this caused because by not driving at WOT (wide open throttle) enough? I don't drive like a grandma, but at the same time, I probably don't drive as spirited as some of the MINI drivers.

Could I prevent this by occasionally driving a bit at WOT? If so, often should I do practice this? I only have 15k on my car, so I really would like to develop good practices as early as possible before it's too late.

Thanks for your input,
Chris

 

If you've the time, check this link out, https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m-effects.html

This will explain pretty much everything regarding seafoam treatment and other chemical agents, introduced to the intake tract through the rear PCV hose.

 

Thanks for the link czar. There was some good info in there.

I'd like to know if the theory on WOT is true as well. I practice this theory at least once every time I drive. Gotta have a little fun with it!

 

WOT does not prevent or reduce carbon build up.

 

Yes, I agree...but operating the engine at normal operating temperature does.

When I purchased my Mini, I worked 6 miles from home. My commute was local suburban driving. I put on about 18k miles on the Mini before changing jobs.

I now work 29 miles from home. Most of my commute is now expressway driving. My Mini runs much better now that I am the longer commute.

I have since installed a temperature gauge so I can see when the engine reaches operating temperature. My Mini barely reached operating temperature with the short commute. I suspect this contributes to the carbon build-up problem.

 

As a guy who has extensively studied engines, worked on engines, and talked to people with 20+ years experience, I respectfully disagree. A WOT run for a warm engine will clean out some carbon and clean the valve train out some. Is it the miracle solution? No. But will it help some, yes.

 

I've been following the carbon build-up issue for a while but haven't seen a definitive answer about build up issues after they redesigned the valve cover. Will 2012 minis suffer from the build up issues or is it only minis build around 2007?

 

Please do tell more on your findings, regarding WOT (wide open throttle) carbon dispersal.



The N18 engine, will still suffer from carbon deposit build up, just like any DI (direct injection) engine, that doesn't have a secondary set of fuel injectors, spraying into the air intake, Lexus (Toyota) have implemented this system where they have a secondary matched set of fuel injectors, and this will stop the excessive build up of carbon, as we currently see on DI (direct fuel injected engines) as for just how much the N18 engine will suffer, when compared to the problematic N14 engine, time will tell.

 

 

err... are those chopsticks???

 

When was that last time you emptied it? How many miles? I have thought about adding one, but last I looked they didn't have a version for the N18 (2011).

 

Jeez that's alarming seeing all that oil! Makes me want to go check my oil right now....

I asked for a catch can for xmas. If I don't get one, it's definitely my next purchase.

 

How do you know the misfire codes are caused by carbon buildup? 28K on a car and a carbon problem does not sound right to me.

Personally I think you are wasting your time with sea foam.

 

My wife asks that all the time or another of her favorites is "are you on your way to a fire?", same answer for both. Nope I just like to drive fast as well. LOL

 

That amount of oil could certainly explain why some MCS's seem to go use / burn oil. I check mine frequently and haven't notice any volume decrease over 5K miles.

 

N14 is DI buddy, you can't clean intake valves with oily air.

 

Your right, but you can get those valves moving at a fast pace and you can get the piston rings seated and rotating.

 

Sorry, I'm struggling to understand how the valves moving quickly will clean them? I don't mean any offense or anything.

 

no, they are cotton swabs , I stuck them into the drain hole, and gave up trying to clean the can out that way.The rag had the same stuff on it.Pulled the can off and washed it out.

 

We all love the power, efficiency, and low end torque of our direct injection engines in our MINIs but this build up is an industry wide problem. The back of the valves never gets "washed" by the fuel as with indirect injection - the older style fuel injection.

Just google "direct injection engines + problems" and the results will light up like a Christmas tree. Audi, BMW, GM, Ford, Mercedes, etc.

I will be adding a catch can. These separate the normal oil vapors from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system from reaching the valves where it forms these dreaded deposits. It is these oil vapors that become the deposits.

Amazing that auto manufacturers have not adequately addressed this. We, the unknowing "early adopters", pay the price. However, much of the power and low end torque of our MINI engines is attributable to direct injection.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX5J5kZLTw4

Just saw this too. Make of it what you will.

But I agree as well with the previous poster who said a catch can is critical to reducing carbon build up.

 

None taken. As your RPMs increase and your engine has to work harder and faster, it gets hotter and opens your valves up that many times more per second. This tends to heat them up, knock them around a little, gets them moving, and cleans some carbon off. Is it a cure all? No, but it does not hurt either.

 

Ok I see what you mean, but yeah it might help like 10% but I'd say a good catch can is more effective, because the amount of oil deposited will outweigh however much you can knock off with some aggressive driving