Hi guys and girls...
So, my 1.6 FSI ran a bit lumpy when I bought it and the EML came on after 7 days or so. I always run it on 97 RON and make sure it doesnt get down to the tanks dregs which wont do the injectors much good.
I fixed the EML light issue with some Liqui Moly Injector cleaner. Its a tank additive so its easy to use. Having read up on direct injection engines, they carbon up every few thousand miles so I suspect mine has never been de carboned. The injector cleaner I used two tanks in a row back to back....clearing the EML off with my OBD 2 scanner and now a couple of thousand miles later its still running great with a smooth idle. The difference is immense.
The issue with the injector cleaner is its good for cleaning the injector nozzles, but it wont de carbon the inlet and valve seats. For now Im going to use some Liqui Moly valve cleaner which gets drawn back over the valve stems when they open by the slight vacuum. It wont de carbon the valves though irrespective of its claims as its more of a preventative additive once they are properly cleaned.
My mechanic though does de carbon work on direct injection engines using a media blaster...stripping off the inlet manifold and using crushed walnut shells the inlet and valves are returned to like new.... its not cheap at circa £200 but its something I will be getting done in the new year. Then I can use the valve cleaner periodically to keep it clean. It should only ever need doing once. With 56K on the clock now its just about ready to be done so plenty years of motoring ahead before it would need doing again.
Ive read alot of about these engines being "fussy" and a bit high maintenance.....Ive often found though that these stories tend to originate from cars where they havent had the proper time and attention spent on them.
So, my 1.6 FSI ran a bit lumpy when I bought it and the EML came on after 7 days or so. I always run it on 97 RON and make sure it doesnt get down to the tanks dregs which wont do the injectors much good.
I fixed the EML light issue with some Liqui Moly Injector cleaner. Its a tank additive so its easy to use. Having read up on direct injection engines, they carbon up every few thousand miles so I suspect mine has never been de carboned. The injector cleaner I used two tanks in a row back to back....clearing the EML off with my OBD 2 scanner and now a couple of thousand miles later its still running great with a smooth idle. The difference is immense.
The issue with the injector cleaner is its good for cleaning the injector nozzles, but it wont de carbon the inlet and valve seats. For now Im going to use some Liqui Moly valve cleaner which gets drawn back over the valve stems when they open by the slight vacuum. It wont de carbon the valves though irrespective of its claims as its more of a preventative additive once they are properly cleaned.
My mechanic though does de carbon work on direct injection engines using a media blaster...stripping off the inlet manifold and using crushed walnut shells the inlet and valves are returned to like new.... its not cheap at circa £200 but its something I will be getting done in the new year. Then I can use the valve cleaner periodically to keep it clean. It should only ever need doing once. With 56K on the clock now its just about ready to be done so plenty years of motoring ahead before it would need doing again.
Ive read alot of about these engines being "fussy" and a bit high maintenance.....Ive often found though that these stories tend to originate from cars where they havent had the proper time and attention spent on them.
Last edited: