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Carbon build up. Dealer wants $900 to fix ?!

C

Cabra

Ready to race!
Location
Chicago
Just got back from the dealer who quoted me $900 to remove carbon build up which is causing a misfire and check engine light.

The price seems ridiculous.

Is this a difficult DIY ? Will an engine/fuel treatment (or 2 or 3) help to start resolve the issue ?

Yes, I know; lots of posts on this topic, of which Im searching. But wanted to also get some input on what else might be worth fixing/replacing during the removing of the carbon process. (plugs, coils, etc).

Ive got 92k miles with all original parts except for a Stage 2 tune and downpipe.

Thought it might be time for a timing belt, trans fluid & cooling system change, etc.
 
vegasGTI

vegasGTI

Go Kart Champion
Location
Vegas
Thats steep but no treatment will decarbonize the valves you must pull the manifold and physically clean them its a messy pain in the ass. $3-400is much fairer.
 
vegasGTI

vegasGTI

Go Kart Champion
Location
Vegas
Cleaner a curved pick and a brush. I also used compressed air to help get stuff out onced chunks come off. Just make sure not to spray where a valve is open clean then rotate cam to lower the one that was raised
 
vegasGTI

vegasGTI

Go Kart Champion
Location
Vegas
U.G.MKV

U.G.MKV

Stealth mode
Location
SFL
Car(s)
2007 mkv
Just maintenance but the engine is smoother and runs better. I honestly thought it would be b.s. but I was wrong. I used a shop vac instead of the compressed air. When I used the compressed air on my friends car crap got everywhere even though we were very careful and covered the ports with rags. I'm buying a walnut blaster for the next time.
 
R

Rajini98

.
Location
NC
Derailing this thread, isnt seafoam/berrymans b12/etc flammable? After emptying out as much cleaner as you can, couldn't you use a lighter or something to quickly burn off the remaining cleaner rather than air blast/shop vac it out?
 
biggee72

biggee72

Go Kart Champion
Location
New Jersey
Car(s)
2009 GTI DSG
I'd find a euro specialty shop and have them do it. $400 seems to be fair from what I've seen and it probably should have been done around 60k miles. I think it'll be money well spent. Im guessing sine you brought the car to the dealer to begin with you are better off not doing it yourself.
 
PRND[S]

PRND[S]

The Lame & The Ludicrous
Location
Southern California
Car(s)
'15 LSG Golf R
OP, I hope the dealer is at least treating you to dinner and a movie if they are going to do you like that. That price is outrageous -- you can tell them I said so.

I'd check the regional forum to see if there is a reputable independent VW specialist that you could go to instead.
 
Bunnspeed

Bunnspeed

Salad Tosser
Location
MA
Car(s)
2008 GTI four door
Rajini98, I don't think it's the cleaner that needs to be blasted off, it's the chunks of carbon. Setting that shit on fire would probably stick the carbon right back onto the valve stems, but even if it didn't, you wouldn't be getting rid of the chunks like you would by blasting the debris away with air. Any cleaner remaining will burn off as soon as you run the car.
 
M

mkvhaz

Ready to race!
Location
Minneapolis
Car(s)
2007 GTI
I doubt carbon buildup is causing your misfires and CEL (though it certainly doesn't help), seems like an excuse for them to charge you way too much money.
 
The Fed

The Fed

Old Guys Rule
Location
Florida
OP, you have the original coils and plugs on a 2007 with 92K miles? You definitely need news plugs as a minimum and I would also replace all 4 coils. You do not have the latest revision coils. The dealer makes hardly any money replacing plugs and coil and a lot more by cleaning your valves. More than likely they are going ot charge you for installing new injector seals. Replace your coils and plugs then see how it runs, either yourself or at another dealer.
 
D

defense05

Ready to race!
Location
Fort Lauderdale
I was having cold start misfires and since I just bought a k04, I cleaned my valves while doing the injectors. No more misfires and the idle is a lot smoother! Honestly, just do it yourself. Not that hard, just make sure you have a long enough M10 triple square socket. You can pm me if you have any questions.
 
R

Rajini98

.
Location
NC
defense05 said:
I was having cold start misfires and since I just bought a k04, I cleaned my valves while doing the injectors. No more misfires and the idle is a lot smoother! Honestly, just do it yourself. Not that hard, just make sure you have a long enough M10 triple square socket. You can pm me if you have any questions.
Click to expand...

Why do you need a long m10? Will a regular one with an extension work?
 
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