Carbon buildup at 19k
#1
Carbon buildup at 19k
I have a 2012 F F150 5.0L with 19k. I have brought the truck in for service every 4 -5k.
Today I was told that I need to spend $199 to clean carbon deposits from the engine. The tech said that it was 3/10 in severity with 1 being the worse. Carbon deposit in the dreaded RED zone!
When asked why should this happen he asked if I used cheap gas (that's an oxymoron, right?). 12k of the miles was on a 5 month road trip and I bought gas wherever I could find it and in some places, Newfoundland for example, there is not much choice. At home in Boise I go to Flying J or Fred Meyers to buy "cheap gas".
My questions are:
1-Should this be happening?
2-Covered by warranty?
3-Will buying gas at Chevron or Shell really prevent future carbon buildup?
4-Previous service stops back east did not reveal carbon buildup - because they didn't check?
Would appreciate any input. I hope I have stated the problem clearly, I am not real truck savvy, as you can guess.
Thanks!
Jerry
Boise
Today I was told that I need to spend $199 to clean carbon deposits from the engine. The tech said that it was 3/10 in severity with 1 being the worse. Carbon deposit in the dreaded RED zone!
When asked why should this happen he asked if I used cheap gas (that's an oxymoron, right?). 12k of the miles was on a 5 month road trip and I bought gas wherever I could find it and in some places, Newfoundland for example, there is not much choice. At home in Boise I go to Flying J or Fred Meyers to buy "cheap gas".
My questions are:
1-Should this be happening?
2-Covered by warranty?
3-Will buying gas at Chevron or Shell really prevent future carbon buildup?
4-Previous service stops back east did not reveal carbon buildup - because they didn't check?
Would appreciate any input. I hope I have stated the problem clearly, I am not real truck savvy, as you can guess.
Thanks!
Jerry
Boise
Last edited by jerry233; 04-22-2014 at 11:16 PM. Reason: not first post
#2
There is a record of a refinery in La. That produced ans distributed a sugared like gasoline lately. Do you trust your mechanic? Seek a second opinion?
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Half_ton (04-23-2014)
#5
V-8 Sounds Great
Demand that they show you pictures and/or video of your "carbon buildup." When they can't, ask to speak with their supervisor and ask him/her the basis of treating a problem that does not exist. If they press you, report them to Ford customer service.
The following 5 users liked this post by boosted150:
Alcoloco (04-23-2014),
Half_ton (04-23-2014),
jerry233 (04-23-2014),
nfldfordman (04-23-2014),
pprior (04-24-2014)
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byeboty (04-23-2014)
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#8
Thank you all for your advice.
The carbon buildup was diagnosed, as far as I can tell, by measuring air or fuel input into the engine and then comparing it to the same material coming out from the exhaust. Sounded similar to an emissions test. No, there was no video of the carbon buildup.
Running a tank or 2 of E85 fuel sounds like an easy fix (assuming the problem does truly exist). Good data supporting that option? I also read about adding a bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus, or Lucas Fuel System Cleaner, or SeaFoam to a tank of gas. Any thoughts about these these other possibilities?
The carbon buildup was diagnosed by the major Ford dealership in town. Not sure if I should travel to another dealer to have the testing repeated or if any shop can do the same.
BTW, my truck has been running fine. no backfires, skipping, or loss of MPG that I can tell.
Jerry
Boise
F 150 XL 5.0L 8' bed HD payload.
The carbon buildup was diagnosed, as far as I can tell, by measuring air or fuel input into the engine and then comparing it to the same material coming out from the exhaust. Sounded similar to an emissions test. No, there was no video of the carbon buildup.
Running a tank or 2 of E85 fuel sounds like an easy fix (assuming the problem does truly exist). Good data supporting that option? I also read about adding a bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus, or Lucas Fuel System Cleaner, or SeaFoam to a tank of gas. Any thoughts about these these other possibilities?
The carbon buildup was diagnosed by the major Ford dealership in town. Not sure if I should travel to another dealer to have the testing repeated or if any shop can do the same.
BTW, my truck has been running fine. no backfires, skipping, or loss of MPG that I can tell.
Jerry
Boise
F 150 XL 5.0L 8' bed HD payload.
#9
Senior Member
As mentioned above, the dealer is just trying to up sell you things you don't need.
#10
I would ask the tech or service write up to show me where in the manual I have to burn a specific brand of gasoline, or drive at a certain RPM! If the motor doesn't run right they have a design flaw and should be fixed under powertrain warranty. Ask to contact a regional customer service rep, see their reaction then.