EGR should we all be more concerned

[neil]

Just for the record, the MkV manifold is plastic.

Not quite the expert I was referring to.

Good try Im sure you've got heaps searching for it now. (Upgrade to the new manifold)

[HiTorque]

do you guys reckon it would be advantageous to ask the dealer to do intake clean at service?.....

I will ask as soon as I get my car back. However I wonder if any diesel fuel or oil additives can prevent EGR partial blockage. I think when workshop services the car they add diesel oil conditioner or something like that, and I wonder if it has any negative impact on EGR system.

[Greg Roles]

That first video of Niel's shows a clever idea, in that they fit a restrictor to prevent over revving ( try a squirt of Carb cleaner down there and see how it revs! )
and I have no doubt this will declog the inlet somewhat. I was suprised when the guy backed up that there wasn't a ton of gunk on the ground behind the exhaust. Personally removing it this aggressively would possibly clog the DPF, and that is a concern for those with one.

Fuel injector cleaner will only clean from the combustion chamber on, will do nothing for the inlet sludge before that. I can't see oil conditioners doing much either, to be honest, as the sludge is a simple combination of oil vapor and exhaust soot. Even if the vapor has conditioner, or even if there is a little less, sludge is still going to occur. I have less thanks to my provent, but it's still happening.

My idea I am trying as of today is to add a water/meths mix to the inlet after the MAF, simple venturi feed, no pressure, and add a mix over several weeks, slowly, and see if this cleans it up. I'll let you guys know what happens, but in my mind, a slow, long term cleaning of the inlet tract is the way to go, especially with that darn DPF.
I may try some other things through the engine in small amounts once I work out if this simple system is working on my car, and it doesn't flip out / explode / launch the head into the air.

Remember people, adding water to a high combustion diesel has to be done VERY carefully. You have nearly twice the compression of a normal car, and water can kill a diesel easily. Keep those aftermarket inlet pods up high boys, puddles are your enemy! ( Probably move some sludge before it blew though! )

[Transporter]

I would be very careful what is used for a slow, long term cleaning of the inlet tract, as it would be added to the fuel mixture and chemical reaction in combustion under the pressure and at the high temperatures could be unpredictable. Bi products of the combustion would be a new kind of pollutants in the oil, that could be doing more harm then the sludge in the inlet would do.
The proper fix would be to reduce the amount of the engine oil in blow-by gases entering the engine's inlet tract.
But, if you still want to use a cleaner to clean the inlet, than have a look at this site.

http://www.interject.com.au/index.htm
Interject diesel system cleaner can be sprayed onto inlet manifold for cleaning purposes.

I use The Interject equipment and products in my business and they are really good.

[Greg Roles]

On that note I can't seem to adjust my Provent side pressure regulator. I do remember taking it apart when i got it for a lookie see, but it doesn't want to turn either way. I'm going to get onto Sydney Filter services, where I bought it, and see what they have to say. The Provent manual, I have my original here, is vague in this area. Obviously getting this working is my best solution.

As for adding stuff to my inlet to clean out what's already there, well, too late...

[Transporter]

Aren't you going to make proper bracket for that bottle?
I have 2 Provents from Sydney and both are turning - will have a look at the spare one in the evening and let you know.

[Greg Roles]

Only if it works, and it needs to stay. Zip ties are marvellous things, next to silastic.
She's been ingesting my 50/50 mix of water - metho no problemo so far.
If it catches on fire and I survive, I'll let you know you were right.

[gldgti]

wwhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! first car i've ever come across with a plastic manifold

Chev LS1 has plastic manifold.... right from VT.

Lots of plastic manifilds around on cars these days, dont be fooled by the look of them, often they are textured on the visible surfaces and appear to be cast alloy but are not.

[Greg Roles]

The upside, apart from easy drilling is they don't conduct heat into the inlet as much as metal does. Phenolic spacers, a poor heat conductor, is an old hot rodders trick to keep carbs and the like cooler.

Personally I'm stoked to have a plastic poor heat conductor bolted to the engine.

May change that is the car bursts into flames on my metho'd drive home shortly.....

[neil]

Chev LS1 has plastic manifold.... right from VT.

Lots of plastic manifilds around on cars these days, dont be fooled by the look of them, often they are textured on the visible surfaces and appear to be cast alloy but are not.

Crikey... I remember when the top/bottom radiators went plastic and I thought what is the world coming to.
And your telling me plastic maniflods??

What next plastic heads/blocks.
So much to learn.