Engine carbon cleaning

Woodbridge905 wrote: ↑I have a 2013 Mazda CX-5 with close to 240K on it.

In early 2017, I was having a lot of power and acceleration issues, and took it to different mechanics and each suggested something different. Finally took it to the Mazda dealership and they said the engine needed to be decarbonized. I didn’t know much about this before this and I just trusted them with it. Cost me close to $1K and was without a car for over a day (got free rental). That mostly fixed my issues.

Fast forward to last few months, I am having the exact same issues, and now with mileage too (240K vs about 175K back in 2017) . But since I only plan to keep this car for another year only , I don’t want to take it to a mechanic again for carbon cleaning (assuming that is still the same issue). I researched the issue and apparently this is a common issue with direct injection engines? And this is Skyactiv technology engine which is supposed to be better, more efficient etc. Don’t think so when I have to do this twice in about 6 years.

I did buy those fuel injector cleaners (Gumout) and have been pouring one bottle when I am low on gas and just before I fill up.

Does anyone know if I can pour in 2 or 3 bottles of this at once? And instead of putting it through the gas line, can I pour it directly into the engine just like you change oil?

And other than taking it to a mechanic for decarbonizing, does anyone have any other suggestions for me to look into?

Woodbridge905 wrote: ↑I have a 2013 Mazda CX-5 with close to 240K on it.

In early 2017, I was having a lot of power and acceleration issues, and took it to different mechanics and each suggested something different. Finally took it to the Mazda dealership and they said the engine needed to be decarbonized. I didn’t know much about this before this and I just trusted them with it. Cost me close to $1K and was without a car for over a day (got free rental). That mostly fixed my issues.

Fast forward to last few months, I am having the exact same issues, and now with mileage too (240K vs about 175K back in 2017) . But since I only plan to keep this car for another year only , I don’t want to take it to a mechanic again for carbon cleaning (assuming that is still the same issue). I researched the issue and apparently this is a common issue with direct injection engines? And this is Skyactiv technology engine which is supposed to be better, more efficient etc. Don’t think so when I have to do this twice in about 6 years.

I did buy those fuel injector cleaners (Gumout) and have been pouring one bottle when I am low on gas and just before I fill up.

Does anyone know if I can pour in 2 or 3 bottles of this at once? And instead of putting it through the gas line, can I pour it directly into the engine just like you change oil?

And other than taking it to a mechanic for decarbonizing, does anyone have any other suggestions for me to look into?

seeparks wrote: ↑ You could try SeaFoam. However, if there’s that much build up that it’s causing issues, you may need to pay for another cleaning... For your next car, consider one that’s direct and port injected.

Woodbridge905 wrote: ↑ I have a 2013 Mazda CX-5 with close to 240K on it.

In early 2017, I was having a lot of power and acceleration issues, and took it to different mechanics and each suggested something different. Finally took it to the Mazda dealership and they said the engine needed to be decarbonized. I didn’t know much about this before this and I just trusted them with it. Cost me close to $1K and was without a car for over a day (got free rental). That mostly fixed my issues.

Fast forward to last few months, I am having the exact same issues, and now with mileage too (240K vs about 175K back in 2017) . But since I only plan to keep this car for another year only , I don’t want to take it to a mechanic again for carbon cleaning (assuming that is still the same issue). I researched the issue and apparently this is a common issue with direct injection engines? And this is Skyactiv technology engine which is supposed to be better, more efficient etc. Don’t think so when I have to do this twice in about 6 years.

I did buy those fuel injector cleaners (Gumout) and have been pouring one bottle when I am low on gas and just before I fill up.

Does anyone know if I can pour in 2 or 3 bottles of this at once? And instead of putting it through the gas line, can I pour it directly into the engine just like you change oil?

And other than taking it to a mechanic for decarbonizing, does anyone have any other suggestions for me to look into?

Messerschmitt wrote: ↑ GDI, worst invention ever. Glad my car is lower tier and came with MPI

hightech wrote: ↑I would try this as I hear good things about CRC products: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/crc- ... 8077p.html

Try one can and then see how it goes. You can try the second can as well if there is more buildup. Given that you did a pro cleaning, 1 can should suffice.

Messerschmitt wrote: ↑ GDI, worst invention ever. Glad my car is lower tier and came with MPI

burnt69 wrote: ↑ Nothing wrong with GDI. People just need to maintain the vehicles according to the owners manuals, ie: not change oil more frequently than specified and use the proper oil.

Most of the people who run into the trouble change the oil far too frequently and the oil is often changed with the wrong stuff (which can easily happen at a quickie lube or dealer, BTW).

hightech wrote: ↑ What do you mean by changing the oil far too frequently? I thought doing frequent oil changes is a GOOD thing and not changing it enough can cause issues (i.e. engine damage, bad for timing chain, etc.). Did you mean to say that people DON'T change their oil as frequently as they should?

hightech wrote: ↑ What do you mean by changing the oil far too frequently? I thought doing frequent oil changes is a GOOD thing and not changing it enough can cause issues (i.e. engine damage, bad for timing chain, etc.). Did you mean to say that people DON'T change their oil as frequently as they should?

hightech wrote: ↑ What do you mean by changing the oil far too frequently? I thought doing frequent oil changes is a GOOD thing and not changing it enough can cause issues (i.e. engine damage, bad for timing chain, etc.). Did you mean to say that people DON'T change their oil as frequently as they should?