FordRoushFan

First, I find hilarious that people that don't work on vehicles for a living and probably don't know anything about the mechanics of a vehicle (but think they do) telling someone that a certified technician that ran a diagnostic test performed by a very expensive piece of machinery, they're trying to "up sell you" on something that you don't need!!!!! Sorry if I offend you guys but it's hilarious!!


It is absolutely possible for carbon to build up with-in 19K miles. However, instead of purchasing a $200 fuel flush, just buy a bottle of Techron for $13 bucks and that should take care of the carbon build up.

Alcoloco

Kind of reminds me of years back when the quick oil change places would show you the dip stick with your oil on it and saying, because it was a little dirty, that you needed an engine cleaning flush for $100 plus.

gwpfan

Just curious what dealer?

Also I would get a second opinion. A can of seafoam or the Amsoil Power Foam would be what I'd guess they are proposing to do.

If the case is even close to as bad as they were saying I would definitely get a second opinion.

gDMJoe

1. a "certified technician" can get his/her certification by being book-smart, be as dumb as a box of rocks when it comes to repairing/servicing vehicles, and too stupid to live when it comes to being a mechanic let alone a non-moronic individual. Being a mechanic takes YEARS of experience. Some of the best mechanics I know and have hired are not certified.
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2. what "very expensive piece of machinery did jerry233 (O/P) indicate was used?
   Quote:

   ... by measuring air or fuel input into the engine and then comparing it to the same material coming out from the exhaust.
   Show the diagnostic results (printed of course and noting the very expensive piece of machinery). Without that, they're blowing smoke and/or pulling #s out of their ***.

It's NOT an uncommon practice. Tech' gets service hours. Dealership gets $$$$$. And management pushes for both.

Are all dealership service and/or repair facilties that way? NOPE! they are probably (?) a minority, but again ... IT'S NOT UNCOMMON. Everyone can tell of a not-so-good experience they've encountered.

SORRY, but it's not even funny. At the hilarious level, customers are getting hurt and taken advantage of. They're relying upon scrupulous professionals to whom they've brought their vehicle to for HONEST service.

And yet you say that's completely acceptable to recommend a $199 service when they know that Techron (or Sea Foam) treatment would surfice. *If you wanted to be REALLY cheap and knew what you're doing, you could even use water ingested through the intake system.

As far as carbon build-up at 19,000 miles ... I'd be recommending diagnostics to determine the source of contamination. e.g. excessive oil consumption, faulty MAF, etc.. Modern-day engine components are build with metals and coatings that resist build up.
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jgiddy

Slightly O/T, but what is the better additive to throw in the tank every 5k miles to try and prevent carbon buildup in the 5.0? Lucas or Techron? Or are they both pretty equal in capability?

JasonNez

+1 for Techron. I use every oil change (5k miles).

FordRoushFan

You are neither book smart or experienced in the field of mechanics. If you were you would know what type of diagnostic machine was used to perform the test (the OP does not have to state it). You would also know that in order to use such machinery the technician would have to of gone to some sort of technical institute to learn how to operate it, thus earning a certificate in the process (in most cases, the dealer wouldn't even hire the person without it, let alone allow him/her to use it). And, most importantly, you would know how a combustible engine operates and how easy it is for carbon to build up on the intake valves, combustion chamber and fuel injectors.


It seems that the only thing you're good at is making yourself appear "smart" but to people like "me", we can spot a fraud like you a mile away. So, yes, that does make this hilarious!!


OP.......I do not condone the $200 service because I know you can remedy the situation with a $13 dollar bottle of Techron.

KILOFINAL

In regards to fuel injector cleaners, I was told that you can damage the Teflon coating on the injectors by using these cleaners.

mechanicboy

Most likely situation. Never heard of carbon being measured from intake and exhaust measurements, not likely after only 19k miles with how often you change you oil too. Does you truck still use oil between changes (assuming it did when you first got it)?

E85 will clean better than any additive IMO. My truck at just under 30k miles looked almost brand new internally what I put the blower on. I've been running an oil catch can since ~5k or so miles. It probably looks even cleaner now with all the e85 I've run through it.

I agree with gDMJoe.

On my non-e85 compatible vehicles I do run a tank of chevron or a bottle of techron once a year or so. Before an oil change is a good time to remember also. I've also used seafoam.

News in

If the truck runs good, try to find some top tier fuel, run a couple of bottles of Techron through it, and go on. If the carbon buildup was a 3 out of a 10 with 1 being the worst (which is a back-asswerds scale it seems) I'd think you'd at least be experiencing some spark knock on 87 octane.... So at minimum I'd get a second opinion. I don't buy that the carbon buildup is that bad if the engine is not exhibiting any negative effects. I mean if the fuel mileage has stayed consistent, no spark knock, etc., how bad can it be? I find it difficult to believe it's gonna just run great then have catastrophic failure out of nowhere due to carbon buildup. Carbon buildup would be a progressive problem, right? I'm not a certified tech, I'm a shadetree mechanic/parts changer at best, but the whole theory seems to defy common sense. I could be wrong.