Direct injected engines have always had struggles with carbon build up on the back of intake valves. I'm just wondering if there's anything we can do now with these brand new (CLEAN) engines to prevent carbon issues down the road.

 

I am not a mechanic or engineer and I am not suggesting you should do the following.

Instead, it's just my personal experience.

Italian tune-up.

That's what I did to my Audi 2.0T FSI.

Periodically, I would get on the highway and keep the RPM at between 3k to 4k RPM and drive it like that for about 20 mins.

That Audi had over 200k miles when I sold it and I never had my mechanic to remove the carbon buildup.

Did it work? Maybe. Maybe not.

 

Totally agree, at least with Audi engines. The 3.2 FSI in my Audi A4 avant was known to have carbon build-up issues. About once a week I'd take it up to the redline on the highway in second gear and see a huge puff of black smoke behind me. FWIW, I never had to have my valves blasted with walnut shells over 200k miles either.

 

Used to do the same thing with my 1974 Jaguar. It helped.

 

My understanding is that the Italian tuneup works for exhaust valves but not the intake valves, which are the concern with direct injection.

 

Use top tier premium gas.